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“Not what I want,” Jeffery bit out, his eyes hardening, “But what’s best for the faet back on track, then dad can coether The takeover of the company broke hi that can bring him back”

With that, he’d shaken his head exasperatedly at her, and then swiveled around to leave the room

“I’m sorry, Jeff,” she said quietly, and he turned around with a look of that cut through her heart

“That’s just not good enough,” was his soft reply, and then he was gone

Now, back in the present, Miranda couldn’t help staring at the face on the cover page He was the sexiest – and erous – man she’d ever met And they’d danced, flirted…his eyes had blazed with a dark heat she’d been powerless to ignore No htened her – scared her to know that she had felt the very same; she’d been open to any of his overtures or propositions

And she wondered…if she hadn’t been so rash and quick to dae? He’d desired her; she could feel it co across in waves If she’d had any kind of sense, she could have used it as leverage of some sort…

But then Miranda snorted at herself What did she know about leverage and all that kind of stuff? What did she know about men, period? She enty-five, not exactly a cherub, but far from experienced when it came to the male species She didn’t even have a boyfriend Not recently, anyway She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d been on a proper date

Miranda had never tried to “conforht or said about her She felt fine with her looks; she loved her full figure, and o on a starvation regime just to fit in She h she may never fit certain people’s mold of as the ‘perfect’ shape or size, she was happy with herself

Friends kept trying to hook her up, but Miranda had just not uely catch her interest

That hy she’d been so unprepared with Jude Stone He was far, far different froe she’d known His charise, one she knew could cut deep if she came too close

Well, that wasn’t going to happen, she knew Once she’d established who he was, any chance of a “dalliance” was totally scrapped – permanently

Sighing deeply and telling herself she felt not a single twinge of regret, Miranda turned away fro It was Heather, her secretary

“There’s a Carly Johnson here to see you Should I let her in?”

The name didn’t sound familiar, and Miranda frowned “Just what does she want?”

“She says she’s here on a private matter” Heather paused, then added, “She’s Jude Stone’s personal assistant”

Miranda blinked in surprise, and then tried to calm the now unsteady beat in her chest Finally, she said calh “I’d like to see her Send her in, Heather Thank you”

Miranda was seated behind her desk when the woman ca She had a small smile on her face as she held a folder in her hand Miranda took note of the wedding finger on her left hand, and wondered why she would be conscious of a detail like that Jude Stone had a very pretty, attractive-looking female personal assistant – aspoint to ponder

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Miss Quinn,” the wo smile as she took the seat Miranda indicated, in front of the desk

“It was strictly out of curiosity, Miss Johnson,” Miranda said coolly “Not courtesy I simply want to find out what in the world I could have to do with Jude Stone’s personal assistant”

“I’m here to make an offer, Miss Quinn,” Carly Johnson said, her smile still easy, full of charm “And to discuss terms”

“An offer? Terine I understand what on earth you’re talking about”

Carly’s eyes fell to thecurving higher when she saw the face on the cover And then she looked up shrewdly at Miranda, who had followed her gaze and seehtly pink in the cheeks