Free Hypnotic Seduction (The Seduction Series) by Laurie Kellogg, L. L. Kellogg

in a bar. Not to mention, she’d just told him she was nuts about his grandfather.
    “I’m so sorry, Jordan. My hypno —”
    “It’s okay.” He held up one hand while discreetly tugging on the leg of his trousers. “I think we’ve both said entirely too much.”
    The problem was, in the last month, he’d not only grown to like her way too much for his peace of mind and had stopped seeing her as just his employee, he’d also started to rely on her for more than just her clerical services—which scared the hell out of him. His mother and Marcy had taught him not to ever let himself depend on any woman.
    Nevertheless, lately, he’d found himself thinking about Hannah at the oddest times and wondering what her opinion or reaction would be. It didn’t help that Edward never let a day go by without asking about her.
    It was definitely time to go back to his office and reread the section he’d written for the employee handbook on appropriate conduct in the workplace. As far as he could recall, the company guidelines he’d drafted classified getting naked with one’s assistant as completely inappropriate—not to mention, grounds for termination.
    And wouldn’t that be a major bummer if he had to fire himself?
    ~*~
    “So how’s my grandson treating you?” Edward asked the following morning as he sank into the chair next to Hannah’s desk, nibbling a cookie. “I hope he’s not working you so hard you can’t take time to go out for a bite to eat with me today.”
    Jordan’s grandfather had treated her to lunch four times since she’d begun working at Calder Pharmaceutical, the last time to a sumptuous meal of lobster and chocolate mousse. When Hannah had offered to share her cookies with the sweet old man, she never imagined he zipped around town in a Bentley that cost more than a lot of people’s homes. Still, regardless of Edward’s staggering wealth, she treasured his friendship.
    “I’m really sorry, but I can’t.” She pulled her letter opener through an envelope’s flap. “You should know better than anyone the board of directors’ meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.”
    Edward was still officially chairman even though his grandson had assumed most of his responsibilities.
    “I still have a ton of work to do for that plus the pediatric symposium Jordan is organizing for the end of June.”
    “Stop distracting my help,” Jordan grumbled, striding out of his office with a fresh stack of papers to be expedited .
    Hannah pulled the letter from the envelope and a check fluttered out of it. She scanned the page.
     
    Dear Mr. Calder,
    Thank you for your generous help with my son’s medical bills. I’m happy to tell you Taylor’s liver function has improved dramatically, and the doctors believe he’ll make a full recovery.
    Therefore, I’m returning the money you kindly sent, as I don’t feel it would be ethical to keep it.
    Once again, thank you for your compassion.
     
    Sincerely,
    Janice Russell
     
    “Jordan?” Hannah slid the letter and check for two hundred grand across her desk. “I’m not sure what to do with this.”
    He read the page and breathed out a pleasure-filled sigh before handing the note to Edward. “The Russell kid is going to be okay.” He laid the check back on her desk. “Return it and tell Mrs. Russell to add it to her kids’ college funds.”
    “You sent her a check?” Edward sputtered, wearing a look of disbelief. “Calder wasn’t responsible for her son’s condition.”
    “I don’t care. Her husband died serving in Afghanistan while she was pregnant with their third child. She needs the money.”
    “I feel for her, too. But it’s still tantamount to Calder admitting liability.” Edward’s face turned red. “That drug is clearly labeled as contraindicated for pediatric use. If anyone’s to blame, it’s the doctor for prescribing it and the pharmacist for dispensing it. You have enough problems with the board, you don’t—”
    “The board