Hunt heard the surprised confusion, and the intense fear, in Duncan’s voice. “I’m sorry.”
Duncan’s head bobbed up and down in a terse acknowledgment of Hunt’s sympathy. “I know it’s not a good time for me to take a leave of absence, there’s so much that needs doing concerning your foundation’s annual fundraiser.”
Honestly, Hunt had mostly forgotten about the yearly Christmas fundraiser. This year they were trying something new—an urban treasure hunt race. All the funds raised would go to support the Williams-Sheridan Foundation, named in honor of his and best friend, Steve’s friendship.
Duncan quietly and efficiently organized everything, and Hunt’s involvement was to show up at the cocktail party and hand out prizes to the winning teams.
Duncan also purchased Christmas gifts for Hunt’s biggest clients, his favorite suppliers, for the sports players who acted as his brand ambassadors. As his right-hand man, Duncan made Hunt’s life run smoothly. Duncan not only managed his office with aplomb, he also booked theater tickets, made reservations, dealt with Hunt’s housekeepers and interior designers and made suggestions for and booked Hunt’s infrequent holiday breaks.
And Duncan made Christmas bearable by shielding Hunt from the chaos of the season. But Duncan needed personal time and Hunt had to put his assistant’s needs first. He’d survive Christmas...
Maybe.
“Call Jeff and tell him to file a flight plan and leave as soon as you can.”
Gratitude at the casual offer to use his private jet flashed across Duncan’s face. “I can book a commercial flight, it will be so much cheaper...” Duncan protested.
And jam-packed and stressful while Hunt’s plane and pilot were just sitting there, doing nothing. “Use my plane, Duncan,” Hunt told him, using his don’t-argue-with-me voice.
Duncan nodded his thanks. “Concerning work, I’m pretty sure I’ll be just sitting around at the hospital so I can still be productive. I’ll have my laptop and phone with me.”
Hunt stood up and walked around the desk to briefly lay his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “Work if you want to, Duncan, but not because you have to. Be with your friend.”
Because, God knew, Hunt would do anything for a couple more hours, days, with Steve.
Duncan looked down, sighed and then he straightened his spine and blinked back the sheen of moisture in his eyes. “Thank you, Hunter, I appreciate it.”
Duncan picked up a couple of folders, straightened them and placed them on the corner of Hunt’s desk. He picked up a couple of pens and dusted some used staples off Hunt’s desk into his hand. Hunter smiled at his assistant’s fussing.
“Kate and Adie Ashby-Tate will be with you in five minutes.”
Hunt was looking forward to seeing Steve’s twin Kate. It had been a while, although she had called earlier in the week to ask him to attend the Christmas market last night.
“I’ll finish up a few things here, but I’ll be in touch, as soon as I can, with a plan on how I’m going to manage my duties regarding your Christmas schedule, your functions and the treasure hunt race.”
God, Hunt hoped he would. He was lost without Duncan.
Seeing the time, Hunter stood up and buttoned his suit jacket, smoothing down his designer tie. Hunter walked over to his massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Central Park and scowled at the dark gray clouds. Snow was predicted for that evening, just a light dusting, but that wouldn’t stop Hunt from his daily run around the park. Keeping fit kept him sane and he needed to spend a little time each day outside. If he didn’t, he felt like the walls of his office and apartment were closing in on him, pulling to the surface memories of being locked up in group houses.
After his meeting with Kate and Adie, he’d walk toward the park and back. That would do him until he could pull on his exercise gear. Hunter turned at the brief knock on his door and saw Duncan pushing it open.
“Your four-thirty is here, Hunter.”
Hunter looked at the slim woman walking into his office, immediately taking in her tousled brown hair and bright red, sensuous mouth.
There she was...
And it terrified Hunter to realize that he’d missed this woman he didn’t know.
Copyright © 2020 by Joss Wood
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ISBN-13: 9781488063305
Off Limits Attraction
Copyright © 2020 by Judith J. Yi
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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