Free Romance: Catching Helena Handbasket by Lily Flowers Page A

in a show of keen contemplation, “As it happens, though, I do believe I’ve taken a gander at a few of Mr. Bennington’s covers—roughly 44 of them, just because they had this bitchin’ sale one time at Reams of Romance—and, although he doesn’t fit the exact physical description of my hero, I do believe he’ll suit our project just fine.”
         Trey looked at her a long moment, then nodded.
         “O-kay, well,” he mumbled, “I’m glad you approve.  I’ll call Blaine in for a meeting early next week.”
         “What day?”  Helena asked immediately, pondering if she could fit in a makeover, a hair appointment, and a sensible diet between now and then.
         Standing from his desk, Trey planted his hands firmly on his hips as he said, “Probably Monday—if, that is, you can’t wait that long.”
         Letting loose with an apologetic sigh (which actually felt good, considering that she hadn’t technically breathed since hearing Blaine Bennington’s name some 10 minutes ago), Helena also rose to her feet and rounded Trey’s desk; encompassing him in a loving embrace as she held his hard, muscular body to hers.
         “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all this, Trey,” she pulled back to plant a firm kiss on his newly smiling lips.  “And you.  These last few weeks have been so wonderful for me—and believe me, I’d still much rather have you as my leading man on the cover of my book.”
         Trey sighed.
         “I’m so sorry I can’t make that happen, Princess,” he whispered, cupping her round chin in a warm, tender hand.  “If I went around posing for romance covers, even yours, I’d be the laughing stock of the publishing industry.”
         He paused here, kissing away with purposeful lips the frown that erupted on Helena’s lips.
         “If possible, though,” he whispered against her lips, “I’d still like to be the leading man of your life.”
         Helena turned that frown upside down—and in a hurry.
         “Oh Trey,” she sighed, staring dreamily into her lover’s eyes.  “Only someone as outright hawt as you could get away with such a corny line.”
         Trey guffawed outright.
         “Well in that case let me also add,” he waggled his eyebrows to comic effect, all the while swinging her back and forth in his arms, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.  Frankly my dear, I DO indeed give a damn—because, in all honesty, you had me at hello.”
         Helena nodded, scrunching her nose in thought.
         “Didn’t that last one come from Jerry Maguire?” she queried.  “I just love Renee Zellweger—though I don’t believe I ever got around to seeing Bridget Jones’s Diary—and for some reason, everyone tells me I should…”
         Silencing her with a heated kiss, Trey rubbed his full, smooth lips against hers as their tongues intertwined.
         Leaning into his kiss, Helena wrapped her arms around his muscled shoulders as she kissed her lover senseless.
         “Here’s hoping for a happy ending to this particular story,” Trey whispered against her lips.
         Helena nodded, adding as she ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair, “Well whatever the ending is—it sure is fun getting there, doncha think?”
        
     

Chapter Nine

     When Helena arrived at work the next morning, she was surprised—and, truth be told, somewhat disturbed—to find her co-worker Irving Birnbaum seated at the edge of her desk; watching her with intent eyes as she stooped low to maneuver her way into her cubbyhole.
         “Good morning, Helena,” his voice low and intense.
         “Hey, Irving!”  She forced a smile, all the while feeling around in the depths of her purse for the pepper spray she just knew she’d placed there several weeks before.  “How are you today?”
         “I was fine, Helena,” Irving began, adding with a firm