A Bride for Kolovsky Read Online Free PDF Page A

off and it’s back to the real world.’ She gave him a little wink as the lift door opened. ‘Or I hit the snooze button.’
    Was she being deliberately provocative? Zakahr couldn’t be sure, and it irked him. There was an edge to Lavinia—an openness that was inviting, a smile that was beguiling—and yet there was a no-nonsense element to her too, almost a wall. The combined effect, he reluctantly admitted, was intriguing.
    â€˜We have much work to do,’ Zakahr said as they reached the office suite. ‘We’ll start the one-on-one interviews tomorrow, but this afternoon I will address everyone—liaise with HR, but I want you to arrange it.’
    â€˜It’s not possible,’ Lavinia told him. ‘People have meetings scheduled, and there are—’
    â€˜Anyone not present has effectively handed in their notice.’ He cut her off mid-sentence. He would accept no excuses, and Lavinia’s lips pursed as he left her no room for manoeuvre. ‘Just do as I ask.’
    â€˜The thing is—’
    Zakahr halted her. ‘The thing is I am in charge now. Whatever your relationship with your previous boss—disregard it. When I say I want something done, it is not up for negotiation.
    â€˜Which night do we dine with the King?’
    â€˜Wednesday. But I don’t do dinner.’ Lavinia shook her head. ‘They only trust me with the occasional airport run.’
    â€˜Well, for now you do the social side of things too,’ Zakahr said. ‘You have a promotion.’
    â€˜I don’t want it,’ came her immediate response.
    Lavinia loved her job—she’d vied for pole position with Kate at times—but she didn’t actually want to do Kate’s work. And it wasn’t just the fact that she wasn’t remotely qualified. There was Rachael, her studies, Nina—just so many demands on her time right now it really was an impossible task.
    â€˜You will be remunerated.’
    â€˜It’s not about money,’ Lavinia said. ‘I’m busy…’
    â€˜Too busy to work?’ Zakahr frowned. ‘I’m not offering you a promotion—I am telling you that I need a PA, and you either step into the role or I will have to consider my options.’
    â€˜You’ll fire me?’
    â€˜If I don’t have a PA what is the point of employing her assistant?’
    She felt the knight sweep towards her. Click-click: he knocked away her pawn, and of course it was checkmate. But instead of saying nothing, instead of pleading her case, Lavinia refused to give him the satisfaction. Rather, she blinded him with a smile and accepted defeat with grace. ‘Congratulations!’
    â€˜Pardon?’
    She loved that she’d confused him. ‘I’d love to accept the role, Zakahr.’
    â€˜Good. Move your things out to the main office,’ Zakahr said. ‘Then go through your diary and cancel your social life.’ He was completely immutable. ‘For now your time is mine.’

CHAPTER THREE
    L AVINIA had never worked harder in such a short space of time.
    Firing off e-mails, replying to e-mails, then resorting to repeating—not quite verbatim—Zakahr’s warning, she sent a final e-mail with the word ‘COMPULSORY’ in capitals, and a little red exclamation mark beside it—though she did wrangle from an unwilling Zakahr exclusion for Jasmine’s design team. Then she cleared the main function room of a group of sulky models and designers who were trying to prepare for a photoshoot for the sulkiest of them all—Rula, a stunning redhead who was to be the new Face of Kolovsky. Finally checking the PA system, Lavinia had done in an hour what it would take most a full day to achieve.
    Not that Zakahr thanked her as she raced back to her office to collect her bag. He merely glanced up as he came in.
    â€˜Everything’s in place.’ Lavinia spritzed her wrists