Free Laid and Leveraged by Alison Ford

Chapter 1.
    “ There's nothing to worry about, Becky. ” Michelle hoped her voice sounded confident as she spoke to her personal assistant. Smoothing her business jacket over her slender hips, she added. “ I'm sure Roger Hollins isn't quite as ruthless as his reputation would lead us to believe. ” Fearing the worst, Michelle silently prayed she was right. It had been over her dead body that Wall Street dynamo Roger Hollins purchased her fledgling company. Michelle had poured blood, sweat, and tears into the clean energy start up and was loath to give control to a man known for his mercenary tactics. But Michelle had creditors and share holders breathing down her neck and last year's venture into solar panel manufacturing hadn't proved quite as profitable as everyone hoped. Michelle still believed solar panels would be lucrative if just given enough time to catch on, but she'd been overruled by the board.
    “ I sure hope so, ” Becky murmured, handing Michelle the portfolio she would take to her first meeting with their new owner.
    “ How do I look? ” Michelle fidgeted with her smart skirt, checking the blue silk for wrinkles. Why was she so nervous? At five foot ten, Michelle stood taller than the average man and had always been able to intimidate when necessary in this business world dominated mostly by men. She'd never shown fear before, so why was she doing it now?
    Becky took her in from head to toe. “ I think you should let your hair down. ”
    “ What? Why? ” Michelle's hand automatically went up to touch the tight bun holding back her blonde hair.
    “ Well, ” Becky seemed thoughtful. “ I hate to say it, but he is a man, isn't he? ”
    Michelle scowled at her assistant. Just what was Becky up to? At thirty seven years old, Michelle Grant took her job seriously. She was not the kind of floozy that needed to sleep her way to the top or seduce men to get what she wanted. She worked hard to prove herself and this current state of her business was just a small setback.
    “ I really don't think that's necessary, Becky, ” she sniffed, gripping the portfolio against her ample chest.
    “ No it's not necessary but I do think it could help. ” Becky grinned at her employer. Young and fresh out of college, Becky had always been shockingly honest with Michelle and she had to admit that's why she'd hired the girl in the first place.
    Michelle sighed. They were all worked up over nothing. Roger Hollins wasn't going to change anything that didn't need to be changed, and Michelle would be right there, telling him what did and didn't need to be cut from their bloated budget. She was used to getting her way and felt certain her pet projects were safe from the executioner's block. With her head high, she brushed past Becky on her way to the conference room.
    Just outside the room, Michelle took a quick glance through the small window embedded in the door. She knew right away which man was the dreaded Roger Hollins. He stood with his feet shoulder width apart and his broad back to her. He was tall; the faintest streaks of silver combed through his dark hair. The enigmatic businessman wore a perfectly fitted pinstripe suit. Michelle's breath caught in her throat as she took in the man's narrow waist and strong legs. As though he knew he was being watched, he turned around. Michelle flattened herself against the wall, just out of view.
    Okay, so maybe Becky was right. Michelle didn't need another look at her handsome mercenary to know that she would need to do whatever it took to level the playing fields. Michelle fumbled with her hair pins. Running her fingers through her tresses, she didn't need a mirror to tell her she looked stunning. Throwing back her shoulders, Michelle swung open the door.
    Roger Hollins faced her, his mouth twisting up into a wry grin as his eyes combed over first her face and then her tousled hair. Michelle felt her pulse quicken and hoped it didn't show. He was far more handsome than she