Mike steered her past the security guards who flanked the lifts, actually saying, ‘Hi,’ to them as if he was an old friend. They were soon exiting on the fifth floor, Natalie’s shoes sinking into thick red carpet as they walked along a wide corridor dotted with heavy wooden doors. The one right at the end had a gold plate with Richard Crawford’s name on it, plus CEO underneath.

By the time Mike reached for the knob on this door, Natalie’s agitation had increased considerably. This was going to be so embarrassing. And awkward. How was she going to keep her parents’ dire financial situation from Mike if he accompanied her into his friend’s office?

Which he would.

The first door opened, not into Richard Crawford’s office, but his secretary’s.

‘Hello, Pattie,’ Mike said to the middle-aged brunette who was busy tapping away on her computer. ‘Is the boss in?’

‘Where else?’ she replied with a dry glance. ‘Do me a favour, Mike, and take him out somewhere for a drink, would you? I have visitors coming tonight and need to get home before dark.’

‘Will do, sweetheart,’ Mike said.

Natalie rolled her eyes at his calling the woman sweetheart. Still, at least he was consistent.

‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ the secretary asked with a quick smile towards Natalie.

‘Sorry. Forgot my manners. Natalie, this is Pattie Woodward. Pattie, this is Natalie Fairlane,’ he said. ‘My fiancée.’

Natalie was glad she smothered her gasp in time.

‘Thought I’d pop in and tell Rich the good news,’ Mike rattled on whilst the secretary just stared at Natalie.

Natalie wondered if Pattie’s shock was due to Mike getting married at all, or the woman he’d chosen to marry. Clearly, she wasn’t his usual type.

‘Well!’ Pattie exclaimed at last. ‘Congratulations to you both. And when’s the wedding to be?’

‘As soon as possible,’ Mike replied. ‘And, no, it’s not a shotgun wedding. We just can’t wait to be man and wife,’ he added, shocking Natalie when he snaked one of his arms around her waist and pulled her hard against him. ‘Isn’t that right, darlin’?’ he added, his large fingertips rubbing along her ribcage just under her right breast.

This time she did gasp, her heart fluttering in her chest as her nipples tightened in the most exquisitely pleasurable way. Without thinking, she lifted her eyes to his, her lips parting to say ‘yes’ in the most horribly breathless fashion.

His eyes narrowed before dropping to her still-parted lips, Natalie’s heart lurching when he swung her round and his head began to descend.

My God! He was going to kiss her. Right here. In front of Pattie.

And she was going to let him.

CHAPTER SIX

‘AHEM!’

Mike whirled round to see Richard standing in the open doorway of his office, giving him the sternest of looks.