ONLY YOUONLY YOUOnly Desire...When editor Connor Jackson agreed to help ghostwrite a book for celebrated architect Tim Neil, she arrived in the fashionable ski resort of Aspen, Colorado thinking she'd found the perfect job. But she was soon torn between the need to keep their relationship strictly business and her powerful attraction to her fascinating, icily reserved employer.
Only Love...Tim knew how to conceal his true feelings behind a wall of self-control, how to hide his haunting secrets beneath an aloof facade. But Connor drew him in with her vulnerability and honest emotions, and he was soon reaching out to her with a deep, hungry intensity that both thrilled and frightened him. As for Connor, she'd been burned once before by love. And the more involved she became with Time, the more she, too realized, how much she would have to risk for a love she had always dreamed of--a love that came with no guarantees.
"You’re Tim Neil?" Connor felt the heat of embarrassment explode on her tan face.
"Yes." He gave a charming smile that would have knocked any woman off her feet, with both dimples showing clearly. "You say it like I’m some kind of superstar."
"Timothy! Timothy!"
Connor didn’t have to look to know it was Mildred Wallace. Dressed in a bright, canary yellow flowered dress and matching hat, she could be spotted a mile away.
"Hello Millie!" Tim opened his arms to her and they hugged.
"So, I see you’ve met him. I pointed you out when you first walked in." She kissed a still stunned Connor on each cheek and held her away to look at her as if she were a prize. "She’s lovely, isn’t she? Talented beyond belief. You know her grandmother and I are good friends."
"I’m not on sale, Mildred," Connor said jokingly, composing herself to hold her hand out to Tim. "Hello Mr. Neil. I’m Connor Jackson." She smiled lightly. "I’m sorry about earlier. I wasn’t aware you knew me." It had been stupid of her assume he was an older man because Mildred was older. It didn’t matter. Of all the varieties of men she could have thought of, none would have looked like this one. Thinking of how she behaved a moment ago, she wanted to smack herself . Had she ruined what could possibly be the luckiest opportunity of a lifetime?
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Jackson." His hand took hers in a firm but gentle grip. Connor felt her skin tingle and shock waves travel quickly up her arm. Not meaning to, but because of the reaction his touch was having on her, she ripped her arm away. "I don't bite you know." He smiled again, showing his dimples.
"Of course not, Mr. Neil." Connor told herself keep cool. You need to impress this guy, she said to herself. You need to make up for the mess you caused. He was so calm! She could tell this man was always in control of himself and his surroundings. Who was it that said you never get a second chance to make a first impression?
"So..." Mildred leaned on Tim's shoulders, "you'll hire her?"
"Mildred, please." Connor laughed nervously and tried to look Tim in the eye. So dark and penetrating, their sharpness made her uncomfortable. "Mr. Neil, I'm very interested in the opportunity. I'd like to discuss it with you if you have some time this evening or set up an appointment."
"What are you talking about?" David asked.
Connor blushed again. She had talked to him only briefly about the fundraiser on the phone and didn't reveal her reasons for attending.
"Well dear, Mr. Neil wants Connor to edit his book and prepare it for publishing." Mildred answered David in a tone suggesting he should already know.
"That sounds great," David said in a stilted voice.
"Well actually, David," Connor was grateful for a reason to turn away from Tim. "It was only a suggestion. Mr. Neil and I haven't even discussed the position."
"Well of course he'll hire you." Mildred waved her hand at Connor as if to alleviate any worries she may have. "You're perfect and available." She turned to Tim. "Have I ever been wrong about a person?"
"Well," Tim took Connor's hand in his in a possessive manner. "Why don't we talk about it over a dance Ms. Jackson?"
Before she could say a word, his powerful arm pulled her from David's hold and onto the dance floor where he took hold of her. The power of his strong hands around her small waist made Connor feel safe, but at the same time as if she was in critical danger.
"You know, I may be big, but I'm not going to attack you."
She leaned her head back to look upwards at his face. "I know, Mr. Neil. I'm just sorry about the misunderstanding earlier."
"Don't worry about it. You were expecting an old professor type, I take it? I thought Mildred had described me to you. I recall her telling me you knew who I was and what I looked like. She was probably trying to place you in my favor by feeding my ego. I shouldn't have assumed so. I'm a fairly private person, so how would you know? I can understand how my approach could have been confusing. You handled yourself well under the circumstances."
"Mr. Neil, I would like to discuss the editing position," Connor said, thinking to herself what a dangerously charming smile he had. "I'm very interested in..."
"It's yours, of course." He cut her off. "I'm sure you're more than qualified." His grip on her waist tightened as he guided her across the floor.
"Seriously?" Why did his hands make her feel this way? It was so distracting. "What exactly are you looking for?"
"Well," he said in a lazy tone, "I'd like a beautiful young woman to work closely with me for about four months and we'll see what happens."
Connor twisted in his arms and arched her body to get free. She would not tolerate suggestive comments such as those. However, his grip was too strong and she remained firmly against his body.
"I'm sorry Mr. Neil, I was under the impression you were serious." She couldn't help showing her disappointment. "I do not involve business with pleasure." She pushed away again, but she was powerless against him.
"I'm sorry Connor. I was just trying to lighten things up." His hold tightened temporarily. Connor felt her pulse pounding. "You feel so tense. I thought it would help. I promise not to get out of line again."
Connor nodded a silent acceptance of his apology. I her silence, Tim continued.
" I'm writing a book on black architects," he continued. "I'm sure Mildred told you." He waited for her nod. "I'm already three chapters into it. I'm looking for an editor to do some writing and editing. I already have the publishing deal with Targan and Lundy, but I'm not much of a writer."
Connor relaxed some now that the conversation was in familiar territory. "A properly written manuscript can speed the process by at least three months. Targan and Lundy is a good company. They usually only publish books by the experts in their fields. I guess tat says great things about you??"
""Not really," he said with a slight chuckle. "My agent Steve is spectacular and he got them to give me a chance. Don't get me wrong. I know my stuff and I'm just as good as anyone. I'm just not an industry name yet and I guess names sell books. They're going to be happy with me though. Mildred told me you've been at Schrader Publishing for five years. What were you specializing in?"
"Mostly career industry books about how to get into advertising...accounting. I have my resume in the car. I didn't know how appropriate it would be to bring it in here."
"I'll see it later. Do you know anything about African-American architecture?"
"Very little, but it sounds like an interesting topic."
"My book deals with that topic exclusively." He seemed at ease, showing his knowledge of the topic.
"And an interesting topic it is." Connor could feel her hands growing warm. He already knew she was nervous, she didn't want to make it worse.
"So, you haven't done anything resembling architecture?"
"I've worked on some interior books, but I'm a good writer. Whatever information you have, I can make it accessible, informative and entertaining for the reader." Connor really would prefer sitting down across from him at a table. The tantalizing smell of his cologne was distracting her.
"Why did you leave?" His voice, deep and commanding, was just as distracting.
"I was ready to move on." She was surprised by his sudden change of topic, but didn't feel it was necessary to explain more. "There is no bad blood if that's what you wanted to know."
"Of course not." He hesitated. Connor felt he still sensed her uneasiness around him. "So when can you come to Aspen?"
"Pardon me?" Her large eyes widened.
"Don't look so alarmed Ms. Jackson." He laughed sardonically. "It's strictly business. I live in Aspen and that's where I write. I'm only in Boulder to see my publishing agent and look up some old friends. I need you to come back there and work along with me."
"I don't know Mr. Neil." Connor shook her head in doubt. "I don't know anyone in Aspen. My family is here in Denver. My life is here in Denver."
"My God, woman. I'm not asking you to marry me and fly away." His presuming tone irritated Connor.
She was insulted by his comments. This guy was quite obviously full of himself. Did he think every woman he met had romantic ideas about him?
"I'm already into the book," he added. "It should only be for another four or five months. After I offer the book to the firm in completion, they will do all the final editing. Your flight and accommodations will be paid for."
"How do you mean?" She was uneasy about moving away to work with a man who was still a virtual stranger.
"Is what I'm asking to difficult for you?" His tone was harsh. "I was under the impression you needed work. Did that only imply work that suited your lifestyle?"
Alarmed by his tone, Connor could say nothing. She wanted to tell this guy where he could put his job, but she knew she couldn't. He was right, she did need this job. Actually, she needed any job, but this job was a great one. The move was not unreasonable, after all the man lives in Aspen. When she decided to quit Schrader, she knew she would have to make some sacrifices for the sake of her career.
Aspen. Connor knew of the town from People magazine or Entertainment Tonight. She would miss her family and friends, but she could visit and four months was really no time at all. Maybe a few months in Aspen would be good. But with this man? Connor didn't know which might be worse, his attitude or the unexplainable anxiety she was feeling from his presence so closely.
Tim stopped dancing abruptly, looking ambivalently into Connor's eyes. She thought to herself that this man could stare down a tiger. "Ms Jackson I'm willing to pay you $3000 a month."
Connor took every bit of strength she had to keep her bottom lip from hitting the floor. There was no decision to make. "That sum sounds agreeable."
"I thought it would." He began dancing again, guiding her like a child. "So we have a deal."
"Well, when do I.."
"I prefer in two weeks. I'm aware you've already left your previous job so a two week notice is not necessary."
Connor noticed that was the second time tonight he cut her off, but for three grand a month, she could be interrupted every once in a while. She had almost resolved herself to the fact that it would be some time before she made good money again, but this was $300 more than she made a month at Schrader. "I have to sublet and pack. I have to move my furniture somewhere. I have to talk to my other clients."
"Other clients? What other clients?" Tim's expression stilled and grew anxious. "I need you for myself!" Just as he said those last words, their eyes met. A startled Connor smiled as she noticed his embarrassment. She could tell he was rarely in this position of asking for anything.
"I mean," he continued quickly, "My work for you will be demanding. You'll be doing a lot of research for me with books in my library. I'll need you to stay in Aspen. How can you work for someone else?"
"I do some simple copy-editing for St. Luke's on their bi-weekly newsletter. It's hardly twenty hours a month." She noticed some calm return to his face. So, she thought a little amused, he could be a little rattled after all? "I'm also helping a University of Denver Political Science professor with his research book, but that can be done through a network. It won't cause a problem. If it does, I'll promise to make your book my priority. It's just that I have so many arrangements to make."
"Good. That sounds fine. Now I know how you women can be, but I believe two weeks is plenty of time to get anything done." He was prepared to go on, but noticed Connor's distaste for his comments from the way she looked at him.
Connor had to remind herself that this man, however intolerable, would be giving her the opportunity of self employment and paying her three thousand dollars a month. "I'll be ready in two weeks."
Tim stood still staring at her, faint amusement on his face. Connor couldn't tell, but he seemed to be pleased. Then she realized he had stopped because everyone else had stopped. The song was over. People had already begun walking off the dance floor. Suddenly it clicked in her mind that she had not noticed anything or anyone else the entire time she was dancing with him.
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