Hesitantly, she took a step toward him. Then she paused and looked at Liz. “A cup of tea would be nice,” she said, smiling at the woman. “Thank you.” Then she took the two steps to the chair and gracefully sank down into it.

Drake released the back of Meg’s chair and walked around his desk. He took his time getting there. He needed those two seconds to gather his thoughts. Meg had hurtled back into his life, slamming him back against the wall of a reality he thought he’d buried years ago. He’d wanted Meg Donovan from the day he’d seen her at the podium, so small and yet so brave, speaking to a lecture hall of over a hundred of her peers. He’d wanted her even more when they danced at the pre-graduation party. And, after having one taste of her that night, he’d wanted her for life.

And, to his chagrin, none of that had changed. Seeing her again, holding her hand in his, had the feelings barreling into him as if not a day had passed. He wanted this woman just as much as he had from day one. But now there was a problem. A major one. Meg Donovan was married.





CHAPTER THREE



As Drake walked back to his chair Meg folded her hands in her lap and held her breath. Gracious, what had she gotten herself into? As she stared at his broad back her mouth went dry and she knew she hadn’t lost a single ounce of the attraction she’d felt for him. Oh Lord, she was in trouble.

Drake sat down and rested his crossed arms on the desk. “Thank you for coming,” he said, his voice deep and low and so sexy that she felt a blush creep up her neck. “Under the circumstances you didn’t have to, so I appreciate it.”

That brought her back to earth with a bump. ‘Under the circumstances’ he’d said. Meaning what? I used you then dumped you so I didn’t expect you to show up at my office? Was he rubbing it in? A wave of humiliation washed over her and her palms went damp. If she didn’t need the money so desperately she would get up and walk right out. But sadly, she did. She had to put aside her feelings and think of Jessie. She drew in a breath and let it out slowly, willing herself to stay calm.

Then she looked up and caught him staring at her with hooded eyes that made it impossible for her to read his expression. As her eyes darted up to his he blinked then cleared his throat.

“You have an impressive profile, Meg,” he began then said quickly, “I mean, Mrs. Gracey.”

Oh, so he was going to be formal, was he? She was very good at playing that game. And anyway, maybe it was for the best that they should remain formal. That way, she would never forget her position. She was Drake Duncan’s ghostwriter, nothing more, nothing less.

She gave him a slight nod. “Thank you.”

“Even before I knew who you were I thought you’d be the perfect person to write my memoir.” His face became more animated as if he was beginning to relax in her presence. “So many novels under your belt, one of them on the USA Today Best Seller List.”

She couldn’t help smiling at that one. “Oh, so you’ve been reading up on me.”

“Of course,” he said with a smile that brought a twinkle to his eyes and for a moment he looked just like the Drake Duncan she’d swooned over in college. The years fell away and the person she saw before her was the tall, muscled athlete that all the girls chased after.

Except that he was even more handsome now than he’d been ten years ago. There was a worldliness about him, a self-confidence and sophistication that hadn’t been there before. If he’d been a lady killer then she could just imagine what he was now, successful and super handsome and single. Yes, he was still single. He’d read up on her but she’d read up on him, too. And she knew he was one of the wealthiest eligible bachelors in Chicago.