Much More Than a Mistress Read Online Free

will browbeat you to within an inch of your life to get what she wants. You have to be firm and direct or she will walk all over you.”
    â€œI understand,” she said, although firm and direct were never two of her strong suits. Her own family had been walking all over her for years. But she had broken the cycle, hadn’t she? Well, for the most part anyway. She tended to just avoid them now. And, yes, bent the truth when it made her life easier.
    â€œWould you mind pouring that coffee into a travel mug?” he asked. “There should be one in the cabinet over by the wet bar.”
    â€œOf course.” She carried his cup to the bar across the room, asking casually, “Are you leaving?”
    â€œI have a meeting at the refinery.”
    That would give her time to snoop in his office. Her heart surged with nervous energy. She found the cup where he’d indicated and as she poured the coffee in, her hands were shaking.
    Relax, she told herself, taking a deep breath.
    She could just imagine how impressed her superiors would be if she were able to bring them valuable information on her very first day. Then they would have to take her seriously.
    It took a couple of tries but she secured the top on the cup and turned, jerking with surprise when she almost ran face-first into Mr. Everette. He was so close, she could smell the soapy-fresh scent of his skin. If the cup hadn’t had a lid, they would probably both be wearing coffee this time.
    â€œSorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, but thegrin he wore said otherwise. Was he teasing her? Were the makeup and the clothes actually working?
    He took the cup from her, the tips of his fingers brushing against hers as he did and she tried not to flinch. He set it on the counter beside the sink. “I think we’d all be safer if you didn’t carry that around.”
    She felt herself blushing. “Sorry.”
    With a grin that was nothing short of adorable, he stepped past her to the closet next to the bathroom and pulled out his coat.
    â€œIs there anything you need me to do while you’re gone?” she asked as he shrugged into it.
    â€œJust man the phones and take the day to get settled in. Familiarize yourself with the computer. I have a lunch meeting at twelve-thirty so I should be back sometime before two.”
    Which would give her lots of time to snoop. No, not snoop… investigate. She had to start thinking like a pro, using the appropriate lingo. She had to play the part, even in her own mind. If she didn’t take herself seriously, no one would.
    â€œI should take you out sometime,” he said.
    She blinked. Did he seriously just ask her on a date? And how was she supposed to respond to that? What would a sophisticated woman of the world say?
    All she could manage was a befuddled, “Um…”
    â€œI’m assuming you’ve never been to a refinery.”
    Oh, he wanted to take her to the refinery. That made a lot more sense. “No, never.”
    â€œIt’s an impressive operation,” he said, and she must have looked wary, because he added, “and contrary to what you’ve probably seen on the news, it’s completely safe.”
    She had heard negative press about the incident at the refinery, but the agency had several employees workingundercover directly on the line, and as far as she was aware, none of them had ever reported being in any danger. Sure, this was a high-profile case, but the other agents would never be sent into a situation that could cause them physical harm.
    â€œI’d love to see it,” she said.
    â€œI’m there several days a week, so maybe the next time I go.” He glanced at the platinum Rolex on his left wrist. “I’m late. If there’s anything pressing while I’m gone, or something you aren’t sure about, feel free to call my cell.”
    â€œI will.” She handed him his cup, careful to avoid his