Doukakis's Apprentice

‘Because I’m really, really excited. I’m excited that Gérard went with the bigger programme.’ Behind her she could hear the baby’s muffled yells and sweat broke out on the back of her neck. ‘Could we discuss it in your office? I really think this conversation is something we should have in private.’

‘You want to go somewhere more private?’

Realising that she was now trapped into the position of having to be alone with him, Polly felt her heart-rate double. But what choice did she have? She didn’t want him finding out that Kim had brought her baby into the office. He’d go into meltdown. ‘Absolutely. There are some things that should be confidential.’ Without giving him a chance to respond, she strode towards the stairs furthest from the crying baby.

When she realised that he was following her, she sighed with relief.

As they reached his office, she smiled at his personal assistant. ‘Hi, Janey, your plants are looking lovely.’

‘They do cheer the place up. Thanks for the recommendations. Can I bring you coffee, Mr Doukakis?’

Damon was staring at the plants in disbelief. ‘Where did those come from?’

‘I ordered them and they just arrived.’ Janey smiled calmly. ‘I admired the ones on Polly’s floor and she advised me on which to buy. The plants need to be quite tolerant.’

‘I know the feeling,’ Damon breathed, and Polly grinned and nudged him towards the office.

‘A few little plants aren’t going to destroy your mega-efficient office atmosphere. Relax.’

‘Polly, that plant was at least six foot. Not by anyone’s standards could it be described as “little”.’

‘They create a very healthy working environment.’

‘Next you will be asking me to provide fish as standard office equipment.’

‘No, I don’t think so.’ Polly wondered whether he was finding the conversation as hard as she was. They were talking about plants and fish but what she really wanted to say was Why are you back? and Did you miss me? ‘Fish are very different. They need very specific care. They wouldn’t be any good for people who aren’t interested.’

‘I was being ironic.’

‘I know, but you take yourself far too seriously so I thought I’d play along. The plants aren’t going to hurt you, Damon. They’re not flesh-eating ones. Now, about this promotion—’ Trying not to look at the width of his shoulders or the sexy curve of his mouth, she flopped down in the chair next to his desk. ‘I hope I’m going to get a huge glass office and lots of fawning secretaries?’

‘You’d be miserable in an office. You have to be surrounded by people and noise to function.’

The fact that he was starting to understand her so well was more than a little unsettling. ‘OK, so no office and no fawning secretaries. You wanted to talk about my job?’

‘I’ve been thinking about how best to use your skills. You seem to have been doing everything single-h

anded. You’re undoubtedly creative, but you’re also an organiser so I don’t want to limit you.’ He sprawled in the chair on the other side of his desk, watching her through those eyes that could make a woman’s pulse rate accelerate like a racehorse at the finish line.

Remembering how he’d looked when he’d made love to her, Polly shifted in her chair and tried to concentrate. ‘Whatever you think is fine by me. I’m really not that into titles and that sort of thing. I’m happy just doing the job.’ She wished he’d stop looking at her as if he were contemplating pouncing from across the table.

Now that she was in front of him she couldn’t stop thinking about sex, and she had a feeling he was having the same problem.

‘You need to be client-facing, because you clearly have a gift for communication. So I propose to make you an account director, with full responsibility for the High Kick Hosiery account. Any creative work can be farmed out to my in-house team, but you can join them whenever they’re brainstorming for new brands. And it’s time you earned a decent salary.’ He named a figure that made Polly feel faint.

‘Gosh. That’s a lot.’

‘It’s slightly above market rate,’ he drawled. ‘I never lose anyone for money.’

‘Right. Well, that’s great. But you’re not going to lose me.’ The moment he said the words she realised how they could be interpreted. ‘At work, I mean. Obviously.’

A frown touched his dark brows, as if she’d said something that hadn’t occurred to him before. ‘I also wanted you to take a look at this.’ He pushed a file across his desk. ‘I thought you might be interested.’

Puzzled, Polly opened the file cautiously. Inside were materials on an MBA course. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. Her hands shaking, she flicked through the pages. ‘I—I sent off for this—’

‘Every year for the past four years. I know. They told me when I requested the information.’

‘Y-you spoke to them?’