“Maybe I ought to do exactly what I told Nick I was going to do and pursue you myself."Lauren smiled. "I have a feeling you're as jaded and cynical as he is." He looked so stung that she added teasingly, "Well,you are-but still very attractive,for all that.""Thanks," he said dryly.”

“Hi.What are you doing here?"He frowned. "Damned if I know."Unable to suppress her smile she said, "The usual excuse is that you happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to drop by.""Now why didn't I think of that?" Nick mocked dryly. "Well,are you going to invite me in?""I don't know," she said honestly. "Should I?"His gaze traveled down the entire length of her body, lifted to her lips and finally her eyes. "I wouldn't if I were you."Breathless from his frankly sensual glance, Lauren was nevertheless determined to abide by her decision to avoid all personal involvement with him. And judging from the way he had just looked at her, his reason for being here was very, very personal. Reluctantly she made her decision. "In that case,I'll follow your advice. Goodbye,Nick," she said, starting to close the door. "And thank you for stopping by.”

“I understand that you have an urgent task for me.""I do.""What is it?""I want you to go to the coffee shop and get me something to eat.""That-" Lauren choked. "That's your idea of urgent?""Very urgent," Nick replied imperturbably. "I happen to be starved."Lauren clenched her hands into fists. "To you I may mrely be some frivolous, amusing sexual object, but downstairs I have an important job to do, and Jim needs me.""I need you,honey.I've been here since-""Don't you dare call me honey!" she burst out, reeling with unwanted joy at the casual endearment."Why not?" he cajoled, a smile lighting his face. "You're sweet.""You won't think so if you call me honey again," Lauren promised.His brows drew together at her tone, and Lauren had to remind herself that he was still her boss. "Oh all right!" she capitulated ungraciously. "What do you eat for breakfast?""Irritating secretaries," he mocked.”

“What possessed you?" Lauren demanded of Jim the next morning.He grinned. "Call it an uncontrollable impulse.""I call it insanity!" she burst out. "You can't imagine how furious he was.He called me names! I-I think he's insane.""He is," Jim agreed with complacent satisfaction. "He's insane about you. Mary thinks so too."Lauren rolled her eyes. "You're all insane. I have to work up there with him. How am I going to do that?"Jim chuckled. "Very,very cautiously," he advised.”

“You damn fool!" one of the men grated in angry concern as they both squatted down on their haunches and peered anxiously at her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"Bracing herself on her forearms, Lauren lifted her chagrined gaze from the man's shoes to his face. "Auditioning for the circus," she told him dryly, "And for an encore, I usually fall off a bridge."A rich chuckle sounded from the other man as he took her firmly by the shoulders and helped her to her feet. "What's your name?" he asked, and when Lauren had told him,he added worriedly, "Can you walk?""For miles," Laruen assured him unsteadily. Every muscle in her body was protesting, and her left ankle was throbbing painfully."Then I guess you can make it as far as the building so we can have a look at the damage," he said with a smile in his voice.”

“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" she asked softly.A slow boyish smile spread across his features. "What would you think if I told you no?"Lauren laughed. "I'd think you were trying to appear modest.""Then what am I supposed to do now?" he teased. "I suppose you should try to look a little flustered and embarrassed by the flattery.""I don't fluster or embarrass very easily.""In that case, you could try to fluster me by telling me how I look," she hinted broadly.”