Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      One

      “Where is he?”

      Kimberly Lindgren jerked her gaze up from the computer screen as Tara Connelly Paige stormed into the office suite. “Mrs. Paige,” she said, quickly coming to her feet to intercept the other woman, who, given the high color in her cheeks and the snap in her voice, was obviously furious. “I don’t think your brother is expecting you.”

      “Oh, I’m sure he’s not. But he is going to see me.”

      After working as an executive assistant for more than two years at Connelly Corporation, Kim had become a master at smoothing ruffled Connelly feathers. Yet something about the fire in this particular Connelly’s violet eyes told her this was not going to be one of those times. Still, she had to at least try. “I believe Justin is on the phone at the moment,” she said, positioning herself in front of her boss’s office door. “If you’ll have a seat, I’ll let him know that you’re here.”

      “Thanks. But I’ll just tell him myself.”

      Kim didn’t move. “That might not be a good idea, Mrs. Paige. Your brother’s had a rather difficult morning.” Which was an understatement if there ever was one, Kim admitted silently. The day had turned into a disaster—one for which she felt partly responsible since it had been she who had discovered the cost overruns in the firm’s new advertising campaign that was set to kick off next month.

      “If that’s your way of telling me that Justin’s in a rotten mood,” Tara went on, “I appreciate the warning. Really, I do. But it just so happens that I’m in a rather foul mood myself, and Justin is the reason. I am going to see him, Kim. Now the only question is whether you’re going to move away from that door and let me pass or am I going to have to go through you?”

      Stunned, Kim remained speechless. For several long seconds she simply stared at the petite dark-haired woman dressed in the chic red suit, dashing hat and gloves and killer high heels. At five foot seven, Kim estimated she had at least five inches and twenty pounds on Tara Paige. Yet Kim didn’t doubt for a moment that the other woman meant every word she’d said.

      “It’s your call, Kim. What’s it going to be?”

      “Why don’t we go in together?” she suggested, seeing no alternative. Since Justin really was on the telephone, she tapped on his door and entered without waiting for a response. The sight of Justin at his desk with the magnificent view of the Chicago skyline behind him was something that never failed to make her heart race. But the scowl on his handsome face now made her tense. Glancing past him, Kim noted the storm clouds threatening outside the windows. While she didn’t like to think of herself as superstitious, she got a sudden sinking sensation in her stomach. Of course, having an obviously upset Tara on her heels didn’t help.

      “Listen, Marsh, I don’t care how busy you are with the wedding plans. I want the revised budget and copies of all your correspondence with Schaeffer on my desk by the end of the day. Is that clear?”

      Kim nearly winced at the edge in Justin’s voice, but it was the way he was rubbing the back of his neck that