Heart of Hurricane Read Online Free PDF Page A

The long hours plus the unpredictability of her free time had discouraged most of the men she dated. Suddenly she realized how one-dimensional and empty her life had become. And it was a sure bet it wasn't going to get any better in the foreseeable future.
    The depressing thought produced another long, deep sigh. "Now you know how Cinderella felt before her fairy godmother arrived," she whispered. Then, as Althea's eyes refocused on her reflection, her mouth twisted into a disgusted grimace. "But you look more like one of the ugly stepsisters." She yanked off the useless glasses and tossed them aside, and as her gaze traced over her colorless features, the unbecoming hairstyle, the dowdy clothes, her disgust deepened. How she hated looking like a frump. No wonder Ward treated her like a piece of office machinery.
    Swinging away from the doors, Althea returned to the middle of the room and began to pace. What had brought on this sudden discontent? It was true that Ward Kingman was a demanding employer, but he paid her quite well. Just the bonus he had given her last month at the completion of the McQuirter deal would pay Greg's fall tuition, with some left over. And she had learned more about business and finance in the past four months than she had learned in her entire four years at Barlow's. As much as it pained her to admit it, her respect for her employer's business acumen had skyrocketed. If only he would treat her like a woman . . .
    Althea sucked in her breath as she realized the direction her thoughts had taken. How ridiculous! She certainly didn't want to attract his attention in that way! She deplored his type. Granted, the man was keenly intelligent and dynamic and exciting to work for, but he possessed a rugged, sensual appeal that drew women like flies to honey, a situation which he enjoyed to the fullest. And Althea had no desire to become one of a crowd.
    Not that you'd get the chance, she reminded herself severely. If he ever finds out about your disguise, he'll probably fire you on the spot, and don't you forget it, my girl.
    Firmly subduing her turbulent emotions, Althea marched back to the desk. It was after midnight before she finished typing the agreement. She was stiff and tired and longed for a hot soak, but settled for a quick shower instead, and crawled wearily into bed. Ward and Martin still had not returned.
    By the next morning the temporary bout of self-pity had passed and Althea once more had herself in hand. She had an excellent job that would provide both herself and Greg with a secure future, she told herself sternly. If holding on to it meant her social life had to suffer a bit, so be it.
    As expected, Stanley Norton's legal advisers balked at some of the conditions of the agreement, and the entire day was spent in endless meetings as they hashed out a compromise acceptable to both sides. That evening when Ward left to keep another date with Victoria Norton, both Althea and Martin were still slaving away over the revisions. Too tired to feel either envy or resentment, Althea could only marvel at the man's stamina.
    When they boarded the company jet the next day for their return to Houston, Althea fully expected to spend the entire trip working, but after dictating only three intercorporate memos, Ward gave her a keen look and said, "That will be all for now. You may as well catch forty winks on the sofa. You look as though you need it."
    The thoughtful suggestion came as a complete surprise, but Althea didn't question it. Hurriedly, before he could change his mind, she kicked off her shoes and curled up on the burnt-orange sofa, sighing as her tired body sank into the soft cushions. Just before her eyelids fluttered shut she caught Ward staring at her, a puzzled frown etched between his brows, but she was too exhausted to wonder why. Within seconds she was asleep.
    She awoke slowly. Warm, snuggled deep into the soft cushions, Althea felt saturated with a delicious languor, every muscle in her