Instead, he took a deep breath and focused on the information in his hands. Miss Samantha Mallone's resume indicated she possessed none of the qualifications he was looking for and required in an assistant.

"Hello. Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Lakis."

The melodic voice seized his attention. His head snapped up and he shut the manila folder. "Ms. Mallone?"

The woman standing in front of him was a pure knockout. A bit short, but ooh, very shapely. Shiny red hair flowed over a cream-colored suit, forming an image of how it would look draped over his pillows.

As he pushed back his chair, the file slipped from his hand, and paper littered his desk. Fumbling through the sheets, he gathered them into a pile, flipped the cover, and stood to greet his applicant.

"Pleased to meet you," he said, holding out his arm.

"Thank you, sir."

Her soft hand slid into his and he found it difficult to concentrate. A sweet citrus smell filled the air, and he was consumed with the urge to pull her against him and feel every inch of her.

Mustering all his strength, he jerked his hand back and smiled in a forced professional manner. Obviously, it's a set up. It has to be. Why else would a gorgeous woman with no experience be here?

His brother, and business partner, had to be behind this. Demo laughed and shook his head. This was just the sort of thing Tony would do. He'd dangle a piece of eye candy, useless for work, just to remind him that there was more to life than the office. His brother was always on his case about taking things so seriously. But someone had to, and Demo was not one to leave things to chance.

Taking a deep breath, he asked, "So how's Tony?"

"Excuse me? Who's Tony?" she replied, her emerald eyes growing confused under his examination.

Her hand fluttered to her throat and her fingers closed around a thin gold chain she wore around her beautifully sculpted neck. A bewildered look crossed her face, and her nose crinkled in concentration.

Damn! She wasn't a joke. His brother wasn't playing his typical games. She was real. A real applicant he'd have to professionally turn away, despite her personal appeal.

He might as well make this quick.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Mallone." Extending his arm, he indicated a seat, and then gulping a humble breath of air, he continued, "I thought you were a friend of my brother's. Shall we begin?"

She sat, crossed her legs, and regally folded her hands over her knee like a goddess. Smiling, she glanced around the room and let out a tiny sigh.

"Tell me a little about yourself."

Samantha cleared her throat and began. "I'd like to thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Lakis. I know it may appear that I lack formal training, but I can assure you, I'm more than capable of meeting your needs."

Demo had no qualms about that. He could think of many ways she'd meet his needs. And for everything else, he'd outsource the documents and hire a second receptionist for the filing.

"I'm in my final year of law school. I am a quick learner and very dedicated to my work..."

Watching her lips move, but not truly hearing a word, he lost himself in the song of her voice. Going against his initial plan of letting her out of their interview quickly, he did everything to prolong their discussion. He asked her about her university courses, limited work experience, and future aspirations in the legal field.

Her foot bobbed in a nervous motion that he found hypnotic. Cute ankles. He could envision her toes curling on his lap. Where they painted red, or did they match the pale shade on her fingernails? Damn, now he was thinking about nail polish.

Real professional, Demo. A deal maker for sure.

"I could supply recommendations from professors I've worked with," she offered.

"No." He shook his head. "Your supervisor at Gyro King has written great things about you, Ms. Mallone, including that you were head cashier and helped with the paperwork. From your resume, I see you're familiar with a variety of word processing systems, including the one we use."

Standing to pace the room, he paused and stared out the twenty-fifth story window, down at the lights illuminating the paths in Central Park. A moment to collect his thoughts--that's what he needed. He didn't have time to play games. If she wasn't in direct sight, perhaps he could think logically, rationally--as a successful businessman should.

"I used the same system when I worked for the assistant dean as a student employee. Actually, I'm proficient in all of the popular word processing and business spreadsheet systems. I must admit: I'm a computer geek."

Demo turned in time to see a smile cross her lips, and the room filled with a warm glow.

This woman was a computer geek? He couldn't suppress a chuckle. She looked like a nymph, or better yet a pixie, that could intoxicate a man. All he wanted to do was tangle his fingers in her coppery hair, bury his face against her creamy neck, and do things to her that would guarantee a sexual harassment lawsuit.

"I am proficient in all of the systems on the market."

"Very good." He captured her gaze. "However, the requirements for the position are extremely difficult and demand a great deal of initiative and excellent self-motivation."

Returning to sit behind his desk, he propped his elbows on either side of her resume. "The assistant who has been working with me for years has had unexpected personal issues and is not available to help train for any period of time. I will personally oversee her replacement for approximately twenty days, and then will leave for an overseas trip."

"Mr. Lakis, I'm a quick learner. You will not be disappointed in my performance if you decide to give me a chance."

Disappointment would not be an issue. But this was crazy. A former restaurant worker and computer geek was to assist him in running an international firm? He'd have to work twice as hard once she began.

"When are you available to start, Ms. Mallone?"

"Tomorrow, if you'd like."

What was wrong with him? He was turning into those men he despised: men who abused their power to seduce beautiful women into their beds. But he couldn't seem to help himself. He couldn't stop grinning.

Shrugging, he offered his hand. "Monday morning at nine will be fine. Welcome to Lakis International, Samantha."

"Thank you, sir."

She extended her hand, and he accepted it with great pleasure. His gaze settled on her full lips and he stared, mesmerized by their temptation.

"This is exactly the job I want. I won't make you regret it..."

Her full pink mouth moved, but once again, he heard no words. He wondered if she tasted as sweet as she looked.

"I can't wait to tell my fiancé," Samantha finished.

Lightning struck, freezing the grin on his face, and causing him to regret the first business decision made with his hormones. What had she said? Was it something about a fiancé?

Krima! This sunshine belonged to another man.

Running his fingers through his hair, Demo decided to think before he responded. He bit his lip and attempted an empathetic smile.

Professional. Be professional. This is not a personal relationship.

"That is good to know, Ms. Mallone. We have found when members of our team enjoy their job, and the circumstances fit their personal preferences, it is indeed an added bonus to their employment. I believe you will find the position challenging, but gratifying."

She nodded and eagerly added, "I'm sure it will be the perfect job. Thank you for the opportunity, sir. The hands-on experience before taking the bar exam will be great. And as I mentioned earlier, I am familiar with international law and it is a course of study I excel in."

"Fantastic. The packet the personnel director gave you during the first interview outlines the position's requirements. Please review it, and feel free to ask me any questions before you begin." He handed her his card. "Both the office and my personal phone numbers are there. You can reach me at any time on the second number."

She smiled and placed the card into a neat, leather dossier. "I'll be sure to complete the necessary documentation and leave it with the personnel department." She smiled and collected her things. "Thank you very much. I'll see you Monday morning."

Performing on autopilot, he walked his new employee to the door. Telling the receptionist to shut down the office and call it a night, he watched Samantha's curvy bottom step into the elevator.

"Samantha?"

"Yes, Mr. Lakis?"

"If needed, will you remain past the expected ten month term?" He hesitated, but added, "Until my assistant is ready to return to work?"

"Absolutely, sir." She smiled and raised her hand.

He nodded, and the elevator door closed.

Sighing, he stormed back into his office, shut the door, sat at his desk, and dropped his head into his hands. "What got into you?"

Demo had never made such a decision in his life. He hadn't built a multi-billion dollar firm on impulse or bad judgment. He had no idea what had possessed him today, or why he'd let his hormones rule his brain. This was out of character for him. Perhaps a simple diversion would rectify the situation?

He leaned back from his desk and opened the top left drawer. Glancing through his personal agenda, he picked up the phone and dialed.

"Katrina, how are you? ... Yes, I know it's been a while. Work has kept me busier than I care to admit ... But I have some time for myself tonight, and I want to ask if you will join me for dinner?"

Tapping his fingers on his desk, he swiveled his chair and patiently listened as his date explained how hard it would be to rearrange her schedule, but she would do it for him.

"Great. I'll be by at eight."