Free The Mogul by Michelle Marquis Page B

in the sink since she didn’t have time for a full shower. She put on her best-smelling deodorant and smoothed on some Dark Beauty foundation. Then she put on a little silver eye shadow and plum-blush-colored lipstick. Satisfied, she worked a pick through her short curls and did the best she could to tame some of her more rebellious areas. Not bad for a ten-minute cleanup.
    Next she rummaged through her designer suit collection and found an ivory Ann Taylor suit. The light color of the suit played nicely off her dark skin. She glanced at the clock and squeaked in panic. She had five minutes to get downstairs. She picked out a pair of white pumps with a peep toe and hastily slipped them on.
    Grabbing her purse, Candace flew out the door. She was just at the stairs when she realized she hadn’t locked the front door. Swearing under her breath, she rushed back over and fumbled for her keys. After an eternity of searching, where she vowed to buy a smaller purse or carry less stuff, she finally found her keys and locked the door.
    She reached the front of her building with only two minutes to spare. Unfortunately, the black Lincoln , which she assumed had been sent for her, was already parked and waiting. Candace quickly walked over to the passenger side window. It rolled down silently.
    “Are you here for me?” she asked.
    The bald driver looked more like a boxer than anything else. He inclined his head to the rear of the car. “Mr. Grant is waiting for you. Just one moment and I’ll open your door.”
    But Candace was already panicked over keeping Markus waiting. So instead of waiting for the driver, she flung the rear car door open and jumped in.
    The driver had just gotten out of the car. He stood there for a second, perhaps uncertain as to what he should do. Then he seemed to give up being polite and got back into the vehicle. Candace tried not to feel guilty for cheating him out of doing his duty.
    Markus Grant sat in the leather seat next to her in a stunning Armani suit. His dark blond hair was cut short and neatly groomed. There was a hint of gray around his temples that gave him a more sophisticated look. His eyes were dark brown with the slightest spark of evil cunning in them. He was clean-shaven with a chiseled jaw and straight, noble nose. The few celebrity pictures she’d seen of him over the years didn’t do him justice.
    He watched her breathing hard from rushing out the door so fast. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes, fine, I was just in a hurry.”
    He nodded slowly. “You’re overqualified for this job.”
    “Um . . . I don’t think so.”
    “Don’t toy with me. You know you are.”
    “Maybe a little.”
    “Why do you want it?”
    She thought about lying, but he’d probably see right through that. So she decided to tell the truth, even though it might lose her the job. “I really need to get back to work for a variety of reasons.”
    “I’m not easy to work for.”
    “Neither was my other boss.”
    “I might make unreasonable demands on you.”
    “I can handle anything you throw at me.”
    “Do you have a husband or boyfriend?”
    There was that damned question again. “Why do you keep asking me that?”
    “I’m asking because we’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next two months. Boyfriends and husbands get jealous of other men.”
    Candace sighed. “There is no one in my life right now that might get jealous.”
    A tiny smile played on his sexy full lips. “Are you offended by bad language?”
    “Not unless it’s directed at me. I don’t put up with anyone calling me names.”
    “There won’t be anything like that.”
    Candace grabbed the hem of her skirt and pulled it down closer to her knees. “Good.”
    “I thought we’d go to lunch and get to know each other.”
    “Are you offering me the job?”
    His grin turned into a stunning smile. “Let’s just say you’re a strong contender.”
    “Well then,” she said, giving him her brightest smile, “let’s