Jean Hart Stewart - Shelleys Secret

Shelleys Secret

Jean HartStewart

Blush: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit lovescenes by not erotic level).

Despite the free-love atmosphere of the wild 60s, Shelleyfears men and disguises her beauty, not realizing such loveliness is impossibleto hide.

Ross has certainly noticed, and he wants Shelley for hisown. While searching for the secret to her fear, Ross is determined to convinceShelley she can trust her heart in his handsand the rest of her in his arms.

Elloras Cave Publishing

www.ellorascave.com

Shelleys Secret

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Shelleys Secret Copyright 2011 Jean Hart Stewart

Edited by Helen Woodall

Cover art by Syneca

Electronic book publication January 2011

The terms Romantica and Quickies are registered trademarks ofElloras Cave Publishing.

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may notbe reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without writtenpermission from the publisher, Elloras Cave Publishing, Inc. 1056 HomeAvenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons,living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. Thecharacters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

Shelleys Secret

Jean Hart Stewart

Dedication

To my husband, who firmly believed I could conquer any taskI set myself, and gave me faith to try.

Chapter One

Shelley couldnt believe the magnetism pulsing from the man.At the side of the president of the company, he walked into the room andgrinned at them all. This gorgeous male had to be the new vice-president. True,shed heard every female in the office gush about his devastating looks, butstill, seeing him stunned her speechless. She frowned and continued to peek athim from cast-down eyes. He wasnt quite perfect after all. One eyebrow washigher than the other and his nose humped a little. Was he prone to pickfights? Even being dressed casually, as no new partner should have the nerve todress, didnt spoil him. Bronze hair, deep blue eyes and a well-honed build.Well, he might not be Adonis, but damn near, and he exuded a primitive sexappeal.

She needed a new word for the potent attraction of this man.Shelley grinned at herself. She was an expert in words, with a fluidity ofphrase that propelled her through the ranks of any business she chose. Earningher promotions, but losing her envious friends. On this new job shed been verycareful. Careful to look as mousy as she could and stay out of sight. Shewanted no screaming scene such as her last bosss wife had thrown. All becauseher husband raved about Shelleys ability to hone his presentations. Shelleyleft the firm. She took a small, secret consolation in the fact he hadntachieved the last promotion he wanted.

She dropped her eyes, but still knew when the presidentturned away and Adonis II walked on to his own office. Breathy sighs gustingaround the secretaries room testified she wasnt the only one who thought himgorgeous.

She buried herself again in her edition of a speech thesenior partner was soon to present. Good lord, the man couldnt spell as wellas a first grader. As to his sentences flowing, saying he had no conception ofgrammar was too kind. She picked up her pen, deciding there was nothing for itbut to tackle the entire mess.

Her interoffice phone buzzed. Her breath hitched withdisbelief when she heard the baritone, sexy voice.

Miss Blake, this is Ross McGregor. Could you come to myoffice? Please.

The please and the deep tones were charming. And thatcome-to-me voice belonged to the magnetic man shed seen walking to his newoffice. She reached in her purse for a mirror. Now of all times, she wanted tolook inconspicuous. Although a man who could knock a Greek god off his pedestalwasnt going to actually look at her.

She tucked her hair tighter into its bun, waited threeminutes and then walked to the office of Mr. Gorgeous McGregor. She tried tolook casual even though she felt every secretarys stare focused on her.

She found his door open and he sprang to his feet when sheentered. His smile crinkled his eyes and she nearly groaned. Did he have to beso damn polite and perfect?

He motioned her to the chair in front of his desk.

Well, you dont look like the dragon I expected, MissBlake. No scales, no breathing fire. His words and teasing smile surprisedher.

She bristled. And no swishing tail, as you can see.

She turned red as she realized the sexual connotation in herwords. His grin widened as he sat also.

Since youre facing me I cant really tell.

Her eyes fastened on the vee at the neck of his casualshirt. In her embarrassment she couldnt seem to shift her gaze.

Ross McGregors voice didnt falter. I have a few questionsfor you, if youd oblige me, Miss Blake. I know all the vice presidents areeager to have you as their personal assistant and you refuse all offers. Iwont risk asking you myself until I know why youve turned down the others.

Shelley looked down at her hands. Drat the man for being socharming, even as he pinned her to wall with a question she didnt want toanswer. She concentrated on not moving, on not getting up and running from theroom.

My reasons dont concern you, Mr. McGregor.

She held her head proudly as she fixed defiant eyes on him.

But if they keep me from a superlative assistant they do.Would it help if I promise to leave the door open at all times?

Afraid she was blushing, she looked down again. Still, sheheard the soft sympathy in his voice. Had he guessed? How had he when shelooked so drab?

Im not a predator, he offered.

May I be excused? Shelley got to her feet. She wouldntdiscuss this. She didnt even want to think about what shade of scarlet shedmorphed into.

Certainly, he answered, rising also. He put out his handto shake hers. She hesitated, then took it and raised startled eyes. At theirtouch, electricity arced between them. Unprecedented and unwelcome. Jolting herentire body.

Unlike anything shed felt before. Double damn.

She fled.

* * * * *

Ross watched her go and debated what to do next. Even fromthe back she was gorgeous. Hed quite evidently touched a nerve and he wasntsurprised. If she thought that tight hair destroyed her beauty she was deadwrong. He wanted this superlative woman as his secretary. The surprisinglystrong sexual attraction made her even more desirable. After all, a littleflirting never hurt anyone. But how to get her to agree to work with him? Hehad no idea how next to approach her.

What made her so skittish? Did she feel more secure in acorner of the secretaries room? He wanted her as his personal assistant, butthis would take some doing. Hed need a careful campaign, and he grinned as heplotted.

He asked for four different girls four days in a row. Thenhe summoned Shelley. Carefully impersonal, he rattled off his most rapiddictation. She never flinched, and came back soon with perfectly typed letters.

He had to have this girl. Still debating how to approach heragain, he remembered a question hed meant to ask the president.