Free Off The Clock by Kenzie Michaels

Chapter One
    Across the crowded reception hall, he watched his young assistant as she moved easily among the guests, gathering empty glasses, scattered napkins, and overflowing ashtrays. He’d hired her two weeks earlier, and had been unsure of asking her to be his hostess. But his date had cancelled on him, and his assistant had been the one who had taken the message.
    She was a quiet person, who appeared every morning on time, did her work efficiently, anticipated his moods, and disappeared after hours. He wasn’t exactly sure how she’d handle a social situation, but if she was nervous, she hid it well.
    “Austin! Where did you find her?” His best friend Ryan clapped him on the back. “She’s fantastic, man! Nothing like Leslie.”
    “She answered my ad in the paper. She’s my office assistant.” Austin Harmon took a sip of his drink and followed her with his eyes as she paused to speak with an elderly couple.
    “You lucky dog! You banging her or is she taken?” Ryan adjusted his striped tie.
    A flash of anger welled up. “Stay away from her,” Austin warned. “Leslie left my office records a mess and Cara finished sorting everything out today. She’s a dream come true.”
    “I’ll say. And are you kidding? Andrea would string me up alive if she even caught me looking at another woman. I was just thinking of you, man.” Ryan smiled and held out his hand.
    Austin shook it. “After the Leslie fiasco, no more office romances. Harmony House doesn’t need any more visits from the Health Department.” He spotted one of his suppliers moving toward him and disengaged his hand.
    “Excuse me a moment. Drew! How are you?”
    “I’m doing well, Austin. Tell your young lady the delivery will be made at nine o’clock sharp on Thursday, and that I’m tossing in a surprise for her at no charge.” The middle-aged man with the bad comb-over smiled and pumped Austin’s hand. “I had no idea you had plans to improve the snack bar by the pool. Excellent idea, and I’ll be glad to fax over the new supply list in the morning.”
    Austin’s smile froze. “New supply list?” he repeated.
    Drew Daniels looked puzzled. “Yes, for the new line we just started last month, for healthier snacks. Didn’t Leslie tell you? I sent her the form a month ago. Cara called me yesterday, and I told her more about it earlier tonight.”
    “Oh, that supply list,” Austin recovered from his slip. “I’m sorry; Cara did mention it, but we haven’t really had a chance to discuss it in detail. And Leslie is no longer in charge of my office.”
    “Yes, so I’ve heard.” Drew adjusted his glasses. “If you don’t mind me saying this, I’d give Cara a raise. That girl has worked her magic. Everyone I’ve spoken to has sung her praises tonight, in a way they never spoke about Leslie, no offense.”
    “None taken.”
    “Good, good. I’ll be on my way then, Austin. Great party, and don’t forget what I said about a raise.” Drew shook his hand again and headed for the door.
    Austin smiled and watched as Cara’s honey blonde head appeared at Drew’s side, receiving a hug before he left.
    Over the next hour, as he mingled with the last of the guests, his eyes continued to follow Cara’s whereabouts as he accepted praise for hiring her.
    “You are amazing,” he sighed when the final guest had gone. “I don’t know what you said to half of those people, but I’ve got suppliers telling me about new products, potential new members promising to sign up, and even corporate people wanting to sponsor events.”
    “That’s great, Mr. Harmon.” Cara’s tiny face glowed softly in the candlelight. “I’m glad everything went well for you.” Her expressive turquoise eyes glanced at her watch. “I really need to leave in the next few minutes. Is it all right if Roxie helps you finish up?”
    “Relax, Cara,” he smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’ve done an excellent job. Let the wait staff do