Fascination

FASCINATION NICOLA MARSH Copyright © Nicola Marsh 2023 Published by Parlance Press 2023 All the characters, names, places and incidents in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names and are used fictitiously. They’re not distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author and all the incidents in the book are pure invention. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in any form. The text or any part of the publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction. First Published by Harlequin Enterprises in 2010 as OVERTIME IN THE BOSS’S BED World English Rights Copyright © 2020 Nicola Marsh I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life. My boss is: Grumpy Gorgeous Off-limits Brooding The one night stand I had before moving to a new city. After yet another failed dance audition, I’m desperate for money and forced to accept a job as a PA, even if the last time I saw my new boss he was naked. That’s okay. We can keep things strictly professional, right? Wrong. We can’t keep our hands off each other. And when I discover his secret, my fascination for him is obliterated. There’s no coming back from this. Is there? Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 FREE book and more About the Author Chapter One THE BRONZE GOD WAS NAKED. Gloriously, eye-poppingly, naked, every glistening muscle on his impressive chest and arms flexing and bunching as he carried a tray laden with cocktails and champagne flutes through the crowd. ‘You can close your jaw now, before it hits the floor.’ Starr Merriday blinked once, twice, the spell broken as she tore her reluctant gaze away from the waiter and frowned at her best friend Kit. ‘It's your fault I’ve got eye strain.” She waggled a finger at Kit. “You brought me to this den of iniquity.’ Kit wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. ‘And you're loving every minute of it.’ ‘It does have its benefits.’ Starr's gaze strayed to the ripped waiter again, lingering on his pecs and the light smattering of dark hair across his broad chest, before dipping to his navel and the arrowing of hair beneath it. ‘Jeez, what does a girl have to do to get a drink in this place?’ Kit smirked. ‘Bit hot under the collar?’ ‘More like hot all over,’ Starr muttered, unsure whether to be thankful or disgruntled the waiters were clothed from the waist down, but grateful Kit had chosen one of her entrepreneurial mother's infamous cocktail parties for her farewell. Nothing like a roomful of semi-naked guys to get a girl's mind off the fact she was jobless, homeless, and penniless. ‘Don't look now, but I think he's checking me out.’ Kit's subtle head-jerk toward Mr Pecs had Starr darting a quick glance in his direction, in time to see him stumble and the tray he clutched skate on his palms like a penguin on ice. Cocktails slushed everywhere, the bulk of them landing on the guy next to him. Sympathy warred with mirth as she watched the waiter try to mop up the mess as the guy in the suit waved him away with a formidable glower. The cocktail-wearing recipient looked out of place in his buttoned-up designer suit in a roomful of semi-naked guys, and she grinned as he fiddled with the knot of his tie, a deep frown marring his brow. She didn’t blame him for being grumpy. She’d feel the same way if the clumsy waiter had dumped several Mojitos and a magnum of champagne on her. ‘That hot waiter was definitely checking me out. Just one look and the guy does that.” Kit sniggered. “I’ll be back soon, babe. I’m to mingle, maybe find a less clumsy one.’ Kit headed for the bar—and a tempting conglomeration of buffed waiters—while Starr found her gaze drawn back to the guy in the suit. She'd been too busy ogling the waiters to notice the other men in the room, but now that she had… Slick guys in suits weren't her thing, but there was something about this guy. The way he stood—tall, proud, indomitable, his class obvious despite a cocktail-dousing—snagged her attention. His imperious gaze scanned the crowd…clashing with hers. She lowered her gaze, surprised by the lick of heat lapping her skin after their momentary eye-lock. The smart thing to do would be to quickstep out of here. But considering the shambles her life was at the moment, she hadn't done the smart thing in ages. Curious to see if her inexplicable reaction to the stranger had been a result of testosterone overdose from being in this room too long, she slowly raised her gaze to his, the impact just as cataclysmic as the first time. He arched an eyebrow, his dark eyes filled with questions she had no hope of answering, the sardonic twist of his mouth tempting her to march right over there and set him straight. She wasn't interested. His lips curved in a decadent smile, shattering that particular delusion. Damn, she was a sucker. The only reason she'd come tonight was to avoid mulling. She'd already thrown a pity party earlier that week, complete with crashing cymbals, tooting horns, and a banner that read 'Fallen Starr', reminding her of the utter mess she now faced, courtesy of one lousy decision. She'd fallen for the wrong guy. Never again. So what