A Daring Affair Read Online Free

can’t help it. Besides, I don’t gossip…she does. Remember, I worked with her for three years.”
    “Too bad you don’t work there anymore,” said Mia, crossing her legs while she tossed a red fleece blanket over them.
    “I couldn’t stand those hotel uniforms,” said Mandy with a grimace. “If they had allowed me to wear my sweatpants and sweatshirts, I would’ve gladly stayed.”
    Mia laughed and remembered the day when Ben had looked horrified when Mandy had suggested a new uniform style - uniforms made out of sweatshirt material. Even though Ben disliked the look of the hotel uniforms; as manager, he was allowed to wear his own stylish suits. He loved his suits so much that last Christmas, everyone chipped in to buy him a zoot suit and a matching fedora.
    “How is it that when I wish for something, I usually don’t get it, while you don’t even have to make a wish, and you get something wonderful placed on your lap?” asked Mandy.
    “It’s been a fairly brutal winter so far. Maybe my fairy godmother took pity on me and decided to fly me to Hawaii.”
    “I think my fairy godmother went somewhere tropical and forgot all about me,” grumbled Mandy. “Tell me again why you’re not jumping at the chance to leave this frozen tundra?”
    “I’m hesitating because I’m sort of attracted to Eric,” Mia admitted reluctantly. “My imagination would make a porn star blush.”
    Mandy’s eyes widened at her cousin’s statement. “Whoa, easy girl. It’s kind of dangerous to have X-rated fantasies about your boss, don’t you think?”
    “Yes, I know, it’s really stupid, but I can’t seem to help myself. Eric is just too attractive and sexy. I wish I had more time to sort through my feelings, but he said he wanted my answer by tomorrow afternoon,” Mia said, gulping down the rest of her cocoa. “Besides, what about the store?”
    “What about it?”
    “If I’m not around, who is going to manage the store during the weekends while you’re in class?”
    “Don’t worry about the store, Mia. Your mom will be back in two weeks and I doubt she’ll mind closing it temporarily on the weekends until she returns. I can handle the store during the week until she comes home.”
    “Are you sure?” asked Mia, feeling guilty.
    “I’m positive,” reassured Mandy. “Just go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
    “Will I? These fantasies have been plaguing me lately. I know I need to stop them somehow,” Mia said with a sigh.
    “Your fantasies might just turn into reality. Be careful. Never underestimate the power of attraction.”
    Mia bit her bottom lip. “See? This is why I’m hesitating. You know I sometimes plunge into situations without thinking.”
    Her cousin nodded but sighed. “Like the time, right after college graduation, when you quit your first job and decided to take off to Europe for a month. You came back home completely broke.”
    Mia grinned. “But it was such an eye-opening experience - better than that desk job.”
    “ Anyway ,” continued Mandy, “you’re a big girl, and I trust you won’t get into too much trouble. Right?”
    “Right,” said Mia, brightening. “I’m going to act professionally but dream wildly.”
    Mandy laughed. “Bring back some Hawaiian warmth and sunshine.”
    “I’ll bring you back a tiki keychain.”
    “Just please don’t order anything from the Air Mall magazine on the way there.”
    Mia laughed and felt excitement course through her body at the decision she had made. She didn’t know if she was making a mistake, but it was impossible to say no to Eric. She just hoped he wouldn’t suspect how attractive she found him. That would be downright humiliating.
    Mia went to work the next morning and immediately asked Ben about the assistant job. Ben assured her that she was qualified for the position, and that Eric was a good boss. Still uncertain about her decision, she asked Elaine for her opinion. Elaine was thrilled for her, although she