His Secretary: BBW Romance (Her Second Chance Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

did not raise her spirits. There was no way a sophisticated man would fall for a woman like her.
    She laughed ironically at herself. Fantasies were something she had given up on a long time ago, even before this emotional meltdown he wouldn’t have looked twice at a woman with so much baggage. And that was for the best, her daughters were her priority, and always would be. Their happiness always trumped her own wishes and desires. But, oh my, did she desire Mr Pierceson.
    It hit her once more when she saw him standing waiting for her. Never had she felt so self conscious of the way her body moved, of the few extra pounds of pregnancy weight she had never been able to shift. Her clothes clung too tightly to her, her breasts seemed to swell and strain to be released into his capable hands. Her skin would not remain evenly toned, her embarrassment resulting in a flush of pink, making her look red and blotchy. Attractive. Not.
    “Ready?”
    “Yes, although I still feel bad about not completing your notes.”
    “Ah, well I have an idea about that.” He pushed a laptop forward towards her. “Here. Use this, and then email it to me.”
    She smiled. “And I thought you were letting me off.”
    “I’m a hard nosed business man, Mrs Draper. I don’t let people off.”
    “You think what you like, it’s very kind of you to let me go early.”
    He looked at his watch. “This is not exactly early is it? It’s nearly seven o’clock. What time do your kids go to bed?”
    “Between half seven and eight. So I’ll get to give them a kiss goodnight, and hear about their day.”
    “Don’t you wish we could go back to the days when the worst that could happen was someone stealing your favourite crayon.”
    “Sometimes. Life gets so complicated doesn’t it? Although surely for a man like you there’s not too many bad things that can happen? All that money. I bet the hardest thing you have to do is choose which colour tie will match your shirt.”
    “Do you know the responsibility I carry on my shoulders. The amount of people who depend on me for their income?” He looked at her, his face so serious. She couldn’t keep hers straight. “Oh, now you’re joking. Funny. Very funny.”
    “Sorry, I thought you wanted to remember what is was like to be a child. I don’t suppose many people dare to joke with you now you’re so important.”
    “No. No they don’t. You are a refreshing change, Mrs Draper.” He picked up the laptop, and they headed for the elevator.
    While they waited for it to open, she turned to look at him now, all seriousness. “Could you do me a small favour?”
    His face darkened just a little, and she heard him sigh, “I thought letting you go home to finish your work was a small favour.”
    “It is. But this one is much smaller than that.”
    “Go on, ask.” They stepped into the elevator, and he pressed the button for the ground floor.
    “Would you mind not calling me Mrs Draper. It makes me think of my mother-in-law every time you do.”
    “And that’s not a good thing?”
    She shook her head. “No. She’s awful, blames me for my husband leaving.”
    “I see.”
    “It wasn’t my fault.” She quickly added, blushing. “I tried everything to keep us together, but he wanted his freedom back.”
    “Your personal life is none of my business,” he said shortly.
    “Of course not. Sorry.”
    “Stop apologising.”
    “Sorry ... it’s a habit.” She tried to concentrate on the numbers as they slowly descended through the building, wishing she had never raised the subject. He would think she was even more of an imbecile now.
    “And that’s why she thinks she can blame you. If you’ve done nothing wrong why should you apologise.”
    She stood looking at him, open mouthed. Tears brimmed in her eyes once more. “I never thought about it like that.”
    “You might not think you did anything wrong, but subconsciously you still blame yourself.”
    “Are you a shrink in disguise?”
    “No.