An After-Hours Affair

150 Pages·2016·0.73 MB·English

by  Dunlop Barbara

“You Think I Didn’t Notice How You’ve Changed?”
Jenny wasn’t sure how to answer that. If he’d noticed, he’d done a darn good job
of hiding it. “You didn’t say anything,” she pointed out.
“What, exactly, was it that you wanted me to say?” He leaned closer still, and a
few beats of silence ticked past. “That your eyes look like emeralds without your
glasses? That you have unbelievably sexy legs?”
Jenny couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.
His fingertips fluttered against her temple, touching her hair. “Or that your red
lips look soft, smooth, delicious.” His hand eased around to the back of her head,
fingers splaying into her hairline, as he drew her forward, his mouth coming
down on hers in slow motion.
What was happening? What was going—
And then he was kissing her.
He was kissing her.
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Dear Reader,
I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Texas Cattleman’s Club
continuity series for Harlequin Desire. I’ve long been a fan of Harlequin’s multi-
book, multi-author series. I love cowboys, and I have some very dear friends in
Texas. This project was great fun on so many levels, not the least of which was a
visit to Texas while I was writing!
Mitch Hayward’s professional football career has been interrupted by an injury.
While he recovers, he’s taken on the role of president of the Texas Cattleman’s
Club. There, he’s reunited with office assistant Jenny Watson, who’s had a crush
on Mitch since high school. When Jenny undergoes a makeover, Mitch sits up
and takes notice, and the sparks fly between them.
I sincerely hope you enjoy An After-Hours Affair, along with the rest of the TCC
continuity series. I’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to drop me a line
through my website at www.barbaradunlop.com.
Barbara Dunlop
BARBARA DUNLOP
AN AFTER-HOURS AFFAIR
Books by Barbara Dunlop
Harlequin Desire
An After-Hours Affair #2108
Silhouette Desire
Thunderbolt over Texas #1704
Marriage Terms #1741
The Billionaire’s Bidding #1793
The Billionaire Who Bought Christmas #1836
Beauty and the Billionaire #1853
Marriage, Manhattan Style #1897
Transformed Into the Frenchman’s Mistress #1929
Seduction and the CEO #1996
*
In Bed with the Wrangler #2003
*
His Convenient Virgin Bride #2009
*
The CEO’s Accidental Bride #2062
Billionaire Baby Dilemma #2073
BARBARA DUNLOP
writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canada’s far north,
where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately
she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear
the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters.
Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website at
www.barbaradunlop.com.
For Marcelle
in honor of our final writers conference
Don’t miss a single book in this series!
Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Showdown
They are rich and powerful, hot and wild.
For these Texans, it’s showdown time!
One Night, Two Heirs by Maureen Child The Rebel Tycoon Returns by
Katherine Garbera An After-Hours Affair by Barbara Dunlop Millionaire
Playboy, Maverick Heiress by Robyn Grady Temptation by Brenda Jackson
In Bed with the Opposition by Kathie DeNosky
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
One
J
enny Watson knew a bad idea when she heard one.
“It’s not a date,” she tartly informed her best friend, Emily Kiley, kicking off
her shoes and curling one jean-clad leg beneath her on Emily’s bed.
Emily called from the depths of her closet. “Just because he doesn’t call it a
date, doesn’t mean you can’t look your best.”
“He’s my boss. And it’s a business function.”
“It’s a wedding.”
“A Texas Cattleman’s Club wedding,” Jenny corrected. “And he was invited
in his capacity as Interim President.”
Emily emerged from the closet carrying something made of dark burgundy
chiffon. “I was thinking this one.” She draped the dress along her body,
revealing a one-shoulder, sleeveless creation with a wide-fitted waist, and a two-
layer, A-line skirt that dropped to midthigh.
“Ha, ha,” Jenny mocked, leaning back against the oak headboard.
Emily knew full well that Jenny would never touch a style that was so off-
the-runway sophisticated, and she’d definitely never wear a color that bold.
“It’ll look great with an updo.” Emily swirled around to the corners of the
room as if she was waltzing. “You can borrow my black rhinestone sandals. And
I’ve got those fabulous teardrop earrings and the matching necklace. The
diamonds are synthetic, but there’s no way to tell.”
“I’m not wearing that dress,” Jenny insisted.
“Why not?”
“Do you need me to write you a list?”
“Come on,” Emily cajoled. “Live a little, girl. You’ll look gorgeous, and
Mitch will absolutely sit up and take notice.”
“I’ll look foolish.” Jenny wasn’t showing up in front of her friends and
neighbors in Royal, Texas, looking like some kind of Manhattan diva. “There’s
nothing wrong with my black dress.”
It was her perennial favorite—a sleeveless, square-necked jersey knit that
flowed to her knees. She combined it with a short, sheer black cover that
fastened at her throat. It was the perfect combination of classic and chic.
“And how many times has Mitch Hayward seen you in that?”
“A couple,” Jenny admitted, seeing no need to do the math.
Mitch didn’t care what she wore. He wanted an uncomplicated woman on