The Messy Maiden Read Online Free Page A

first kisses either.
    No holding hands and no rush of anticipation.
    Ian stopped at her desk and for a few seconds said nothing.
    She gave him a tentative smile and tried to ignore the little sparks of desire that had appeared from nowhere and were now dancing along her nerves. What would it be like to be kissed by Mr. Severe? Her gaze dropped from his odd colored eyes to his lips.
    Bet he knew how to kiss.
    Bet he was really kinky and the whole straight laced auditor was a front. The little sparks of desire caught hold.
    Bet he…she blinked. The shadowy face of Numbers101 surfaced in her mind. He had nice lips too and always wore sunglasses.
    “Saskia?” Ian was frowning.
    “I’m sorry I missed what you said?” Her face heated like she was peering into the oven. Last night’s lasagna had made a delicious lunch. The container sat on her desk because she hadn’t got up to wash it out yet. Whoops.
    Ian glanced at the plastic tub then back at her. “Some of us are going over the road to the bar after work; did you want to join us?”
    The other secretary let out a squeak of disapproval. Jealous that she never got asked? Somehow Saskia had started on the wrong foot with her.
    Usually the only guys who invited her to the pub after work were the ones who thought a temp would be an easy conquest. She should head straight home and start getting ready for work…but it didn’t take two hours to put on a wig and makeup.
    She’d learned to say no politely. “I don’t want to intrude on an informal managers meeting.”
    “It’s not just managers going. If you change your mind, we head over about 5:30.” He flashed her a smile that seemed so familiar then sauntered away.
    There were plenty of reasons she shouldn’t go.
    And only one reason why she should.
    Ian.
    Hmmm. Perhaps she was the one who needed the easy conquest.
    Would he be easy? She was willing to have a glass of wine this evening to find out.

Chapter Four
    T he bar over the road was one of those inner city trendy places full of office workers. The men in black or grey suits and the women either in equally sharp suits or bright dresses. All of them in spiked heels. Her sensible low heels definitely didn’t belong here.
    The people here were professionals and qualified. This was a mistake. Just when she was ready to back out and go home, someone waved. There was a cluster of familiar faces, and he hadn’t been lying. They weren’t all managers. However she was the only secretary.
    At least she wasn’t the only woman.
    She pasted on a smile. One drink. This was a four week job, practically a lifetime in temp work. Long enough that if she made a good impression they’d remember her. She’d certainly remember him.
    “What can I get you?” Ian asked as she joined the group.
    “That’s okay. I can get my own.”
    “I’m on my way over anyway. We’re getting some snacks.”
    Saskia pulled out a twenty dollar note. “For snacks and a glass of shiraz, thanks.” She smiled—the one she usually reserved for dazzling clients.
    His eyes widened for a moment. Then he frowned as if he didn’t know what to say. Was he actually interested in her? Had he wanted to buy her a drink? A little flutter filled her chest. It had been too long between boyfriends, or even dates. At the back of her mind she knew she had to keep an eye on the clock. She couldn’t linger on if the evening started going well. Which was why she didn’t have any dates or a boyfriend. They conflicted with her clients and if they found out they got jealous.
    “Is shiraz your favorite?” He held her gaze.
    It was. She’d had a glass of it on camera and shared that detail…no. She refused to believe that Numbers and Ian were the same person. The odds were so tiny.
    “Sometimes.” She pressed her lips together returning to her serious, prim smile.
    He nodded. Then he took the offered money from her hand. “You didn’t have to chip in.”
    She was sure that wasn’t what he wanted to say.