Deceiving Her Boss Read Online Free PDF Page A

preferences. 
Or Hollywood gossip.  That would be interesting."
     
"If I were to tell you that I used to be in a band, would you be shocked?"
     
"Like a school band?  A marching band?  A grunge band?"
     
"A marching band?" Sean asked, putting his hand over his heart. 
"What, you think I played the tuba?"
     
"I can kind of see that," Allie teased.  "But seriously, tell
me."
     
The conversation flowed easily after that.  Allie was relaxed in the dark
atmosphere of the bar, less concerned that her boss would be able to see past
her disguise.  And Sean was amazed at how the dim light brought out the
highlights in his assistant's hair, and hid the sallow tone of her skin.  She
really could be quite pretty, he thought.  Without a lot of effort.
     
After they finished their drinks, Sean took Allie to the restaurant he had
chosen, an exclusive steakhouse on the Boulevard.  It was an amazing meal, and
the only thing Allie regretted was that she was here as an employee, dressed in
really hideous clothing, instead of as Sean's date, dressed in something
fantastic and sexy.  But Sean had a way of making her comfortable, and before
she knew it, she felt perfectly at ease, and even flirted a bit with the
sommelier.
     
"Leave the poor man alone, Allie," Sean said with a sigh.
     
"Excuse me?"
     
"That tweed you wear can't completely disguise your figure, Allie.  Poor Daniel
was falling over himself to look down your jacket."
     
Allie flushed, pulling the fabric closer together and sitting up straighter. 
"I doubt that, sir, "she said quietly.  "But I appreciate the
warning."
     
"I didn't mean to embarrass you, sweetheart.  I just don't think you
realize the impact you have on men when you smile at them."
     
Allie just looked down, her eyes anywhere but on Sean.  "I think I'm
done," she said quietly, setting her fork on the plate and resting the
napkin next to her on the table.  "If you'll excuse me, I'll run to the
ladies room."
     
Sean's eyes narrowed as he watched his assistant push away from the table and
head in the direction of the restrooms.  He had embarrassed her.  But he wasn't
sure why.  She was shy, that was clear, but she seemed like she had been less
so lately, particularly around him.  He wondered why she was so sensitive to
compliments, and why she seemed able to flirt with other men, but was so
serious and so self-conscious around him.
     
When she returned to the table, it was clear that she had redrawn her armor,
and she was back to her professional self.  She sat across from him again, and
pulled her napkin back into her lap, though the table had been cleared in her
absence.
     
"Coffee, Allie?  Dessert?"
     
Allie smiled politely.  "That was a fantastic dinner, and I could not eat
another bite. Seriously.   Please take me back to the hotel and send me to my
room and do not let me eat for the next week."
     
Sean leaned back in his chair.  "Are you tired?  Or could I talk you into
stopping at the casino for a while?"
     
Allie's eyes narrowed.  "Casino?  Hmm.  OK, I could do that.  What do you
play?"
     
"Usually blackjack, sometimes poker, but I don't take it seriously.   What
about you?  Are you a slots girl?"
     
"I'm no kind of gambling girl," Allie admitted.  "But I've
always wanted to try blackjack."
     
Sean's eyebrows went up.  He didn't think his little Allie had it in her, but
if she was interested, he was teaching her.
     
     
Two hours later, Allie was nearly skipping back to the hotel with delight. 
"I won.  Did you see that?  I won."
     
Sean smiled indulgently.  "Yeah, I saw that.  I was right next to you, in
case you didn't notice."
     
"Wow.  $40.  I'm buying drinks tomorrow," she said, but then her
smile died as she remembered that she was with her boss, and he probably had
plans tomorrow night.  Plans that didn't include her.
     
"Oh, wait.  Sorry.  You're meeting your friends tomorrow.  I knew
that."
     
"I think I can fit in drinks with you,