Ross swivelled on the executive leather chair in his study, his feet up on his desk, cradling a glass of scotch. I wonder what she's doing right now? His thoughts on his attractive secretary as he rolled his whisky glass across his lips. Maybe he should go out, it was only ten at night. Perhaps he could find somebody tonight to rid him of his incessant thoughts away from the woman he wanted in his bed but should not. On second thoughts, a vigorous swim, he decided and summarily rose to his feet, aiming in the direction of his Olympic size indoor heated pool on the lower level.

'Ross open up,' there was a rapid thumping on his front door. 'Ross! Ross! Ro__.'

'Carina! What the hell?' He unkindly jerked her inside the entrance hall. 'Are you trying to give Mrs. Dawes a heart attack? His eyes bore into her ferociously.

'Darling__,' she threw her arms around his neck. 'You're not answering my calls.'

Ross groaned silently. He'd seen her three calls and ignored them. He was so not in the mood for Carina tonight. He silently hoped she would not attempt to put his prowess to the test. Even if she stripped down to her black lacy suspenders and belly danced up the fire pole for him, he would not be able to get it up for her.

'Baby___I miss you,' her palms held his face in place as her tongue darted into his mouth. 'Make love to me baby___right here on your table,' Carina's speedy fingers were sliding his zip down.

'Stop it Carina!' He shoved her away, slicing the back of his hand across his lips. 'We're finished.'

Her eyes widened, filled with sudden fear. 'What!' she shrieked. 'You don't mean that Ross,' her arms were imprisoning him again. 'We're good together baby,' she pressed against him, moulding her pelvis to his. 'I know you still want me,' she laughed victoriously, when he did not shove her away the second time. Her mouth closed over his again.

'You're wrong!' He held her at arm's length, gripping her shoulders painfully. 'It's over Carina,' his eyes held hers dangerously, making sure she understood him.

'I'm sorry Ross,' she turned on the waterworks. 'Please ... forgive me,' she wailed. 'I was wrong to give you that ultimatum. Take me back,' she begged.

'Leave!' he instructed, turning his back on her. He hated tears. He hated crocodile tears even more.

'It's that bloody secretary of yours isn't it?' Carina screamed, 'just because she's more beautiful that I am and younger. I hate her!' Carina screamed even louder. 'She rules your life and I see how you come alive every time she damn calls you!'

'Get out!' Ross yanked the door open and shoved her outside into the blistering cold. He bolted the door shut, walked back to his study, activating the feature promptly ensuring Carina's number was blocked from getting through on his cell phone.

'Hello...' Savannah mumbled sleepily into the handset. She groaned silently at being disturbed so late at night. Her sleepy eyes barely opened to look at the digital clock on her beside stand. Eleven twenty three.

'Savannah!'

She scampered out of bed as if he was in front of her. 'Yes Mr. Templeton,' Still clutching the handset, she slowly lowered herself back into bed. Why was he calling her so late at night? And he had not called her mobile. He'd used her private line.

'Where is the product report you were supposed to email to me before you left Savannah?'

Damn! 'Sir___remember the network was down.'

'I pay you a fortune, to fix problems Savannah. Did you not bother calling I.T. to resolve whatever the bloody hell was wrong?' he growled.

Savannah recoiled, holding the phone slightly away from her ear. For heaven's sake, can't you wait till the morning? It's almost midnight!

'Have you sent the draft out to the divisions then?' He questioned.

'No sir,' she was almost whispering. 'You wanted to check the figures first before I disseminated the report.'

He swore under his breath, but she heard it. Savannah felt positively chastised. He was flying to a meeting in Atlanta in the morning. She had thought, to have it on his table first thing in the morning before he departed. He had informed her he would stop in at the office before he left.

'I'll make a plan, Mr. Templeton,' she jumped out of bed. With the hand set still pressed to her ear, she slipped on a pair of denims, a chunky sweater, socks and boots.

'Are you at your home?' she asked nervously.

'Yes,' he snarled.

'I'll be there in twenty minutes.'

Ross was still holding the phone in his hand when the line went dead. He stared at the phone, the disconnected tone sounded irritatingly loud. He contemplated calling her back. He did not really need the report. Infact he had been so certain she'd emailed it to his inbox. The only reason he'd called Savannah was because Carina had roused his anger. He did not hop, skip and jump for his secretary. She did that for him. Ross had been mentally preparing to offer a guilty acknowledgement, when Savannah would have informed him, it was already in his inbox. Only, for once she had not done her job as expected. Carina's accusations were poking at his conscience, he wanted to vent his anger and his secretary just happened to be his designated target.

It was not yet twenty minutes when his door bell rang. Infact it was just over ten minutes. It can't be Savannah so quickly. Carina! He did not want Carina around when Savannah arrived. He was going to invite Savannah in, offer her coffee and biscuits and plead with her to go over the report with him. Anything to keep her there as long as possible, if she spent enough time with him, he won't need to go to the office in the morning. He'd only decided to go in, just to catch a glimpse of her delightful face, before he left to Atlanta.

'Carina ... ,' Ross stopped when his secretary was standing on his doorstep. He stared, taking in the tousled hair, the body fitting denims and the thick woolly sweater. Does she have a bra on under that garment? Ross blinked when he saw her body shivering from the near freezing temperature.

Savannah's eyes narrowed and quickly relaxed again. So he's expecting his lover! Just when will he look at the report? He was still wearing the shirt and trousers he'd had on in the office, minus the jacket and tie. Clearly the central heating in his home was more than sufficient. She could feel it brush over her face as the warm air escaped outside. She was freezing. She had been so livid at him screaming down the telephone, she had forgotten about a coat. In the car, she'd turned on the heater to maximum. It's warmth had quickly warmed her frozen body. She shivered now in the biting cold.

'Savannah,' Ross corrected, 'come inside.' There was no trace of compunction on his face.

She was tempted, just to ease the numbness in her toes and the piercing chill in her inner ear, but if he was expecting his lover at this late hour, she was not staying to witness it.

'I brought you this,' she was so aware of his raw sexuality it burned inside her, despite the icy weather. She struggled not to feast on his flesh visible beneath the unbuttoned shirt. She was so tempted to smooth his ruffled hair back into place.

Ross's eyes fell to a copy of the document in her hand and a memory stick. He felt like a royal cad for dragging her out close to midnight on this bitterly cold night. He longed to draw her into his arms and fill her with his warmth. A crazy runaway thought tempted him to offer her to sleep over...just because of the inclement weather.

'I'll be going then,' she shoved the document and memory stick into his hand and turned to walk away.

'Savannah,' he gripped her wrist. She stopped. Her eyes fell to his hand on her wrist for a moment before her hazel eyes reached his violet ones again.

'I'm sorry. I should not have yelled at you on the phone,' he drew out.

Too overwhelmed to speak, Savannah nodded. His warm fingers were still curled around her wrist. She ached to let her fingers open up and interlace with his.

'Good night,' she mumbled, removing her hand. She turned away without a backward glance. When will he sleep if his lover is on her way at midnight?

Ross watched her walk away with an unfamiliar heaviness in his chest. He knew he'd been exceedingly callous. What kind of an uncaring animal was he to drag a young lady out of bed in the middle of the night, just to bring him a document he did not need? With his paranoia about security, he had forbidden any of his employees to circulate electronic information via third party sources. In the company he had fire walls upon fire walls on their servers. So Savannah had been compelled to physically bring him the document.

Ross stood on the first step outside the door, oblivious to the biting cold slamming against his body. His eyes trained on the way she strolled back to her car, seemingly in no hurry, her shoulders and head upright, her walk confident. He longed to call her back.

The second Savannah turned off Ross's street she pulled over and covered her face with her palms, sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders jerking violently. She searched frantically for tissue found none and angrily swiped her arm across her eyes, the wool bruising her skin, more than serving any purpose. What the hell was she crying for?

As if you didn't know he had a lover!

Off course they would be spending the night together. Off course they would make love all night long. What else to do, to keep the piercing cold away?
I need to find a boyfriend before I self destruct.

Savannah threw the duvets off her body. No point in tossing and turning anymore. Her body ached from being up and tossing about for what was left of the night upon her return from Ross's. Why she tortured herself that way, she had no answer. How could she forget him or ignore him, when they worked together so closely for eight to ten hours each day? And even if he was away, they spoke numerous times on the phone.

Savannah did not feel like breakfast, but she was dressed; ready for work even though she was not due at work for another hour. She made herself to some toast and coffee and forced it down. It fought and resisted and bruised her throat on its way to her tummy. She made sure to get to work ahead of time, just incase she got into more trouble for circumstances beyond her control.

Savannah was thirty minutes early when she arrived at work. She switched on her PC and checked her emails. There were five emails from Ross. She looked at the most important one. He'd made corrections to her report, signed it electronically and instructed her to disseminate it to the respective divisions.

She was busy typing a memo, her fingers flying over the keyboard when she heard the private lift opening, Savannah held her breath. She continued typing, keeping her head low, not wanting to look at him. She was back spacing and correcting errors more than working productively. Savannah sensed his presence, before he was physical at her desk.

'Morning Savannah.'

She stilled, mumbled a greeting, not lifting her head. Her fingers hovered above the keyboard, not typing, waiting for his next move. Was he going to call her into his office? She knew he would not be in his office long, perhaps thirty minutes. He was on his way to Atlanta.

'These are for you Savannah,' his voice was soft, warm, almost a whisper.

Her head flew up. He was holding a bunch of white roses.
Peace Offering?
As gorgeous as the soft velvety rose buds were, she was drawn to his haggard face. There were feint shadows under his eyes. No doubt his lover kept him up all night!

He looked fetching though in his silver day suit, royal blue shirt, a tie matching the suit. He smelt divine too...as always. For the first time in eighteen months, her boss looked indecisive. The expression on his face was that of a tortured man. Her eyes fell again to the flowers. Savannah stood up.

'I'm sorry about last night,' Ross sounded contrite. 'I should not have allowed you to come out so late at night.'

'Thank you for the flowers,' she reached out and took them. 'I'm ... going to put them in a vase,' she hastily escaped to the kitchen.

'Come into my office when you're done,' he stated soberly to her retreating back.

Savannah stood in the kitchen, heaving a heavy sigh. They were gorgeous she decided, just like the man himself. She lifted one exquisite bud and brought it closer to her nose. Closing her eyes, she sniffed at the delicate bud. Sweet, soft, almost fruity. She quickly took the vase back to her office and deliberately placed it behind her on a credenza. She did not want it distracting her, and she hoped Ross would notice the spot she'd relegated it to.

Savannah knocked and walked into his office. He was not at his desk. His back to the door. He was gazing out the sloping windows, similar to airports air traffic control towers that offered him a spectacular view of Manhattan.

'Your coffee sir,' she placed the steaming mug carefully on his desk.

'Sit down Savannah,' Ross strode back to his desk. 'You won't need that,' he referred to the note pad she was opening. Savannah put it away and reluctantly looked up at Ross. He was not looking at her. He seemed distracted.

'Carina ... and I are no longer together.'

Her first reaction was shock. Then joy surged through Savannah like an electrical current. Her eyes searched his face. She felt guilty at her insensitivity and immediately chastised herself. No wondered he looks all haggard. She dumped him! The mighty Ross Templeton has been dumped.

'I'm sorry,' Savannah watched him empty his coffee cup.

Ross stood, shoving documents into his briefcase. 'I shall see you tomorrow,' his eyes met hers, wanting her to give him some kind of indication of her feelings, but he could read nothing in her face.

'Good bye Mr. Templeton. She stood up. He walked along side her towards the lift that would take him up to the helipad.

'Umm ... do you remember the invitation you received to that Spring Fashion Show. It's two nights away,' Savannah reminded him.

Ross turned around. His eyes engaged hers again. She kept her eyes lowered, fidgeting with papers on her desk.

'Would you care to accompany me, Savannah?'

Me? Be your date! On occasion, he'd asked her to accompany him as his plus one, especially around New York.

She'd love to view the Italian designer's latest runway ensemble. She'd never before been to such an extravagant affair. 'I have plans,' she blurted.

No doubt with the damn boyfriend. Ross exhaled, nodded. 'Confirm my attendance,' he turned and headed for the helipad again.

During the day as she worked, Savannah's joy at Ross's single status, turned to grief. She could not get Ross out of her mind. On any given day, she could not wipe him out, but today was worse. She kept seeing his distraught, forlorn face. He had been grief-stricken because his lover had dumped him. Clearly he cared for her more than even he anticipated. Perhaps she should get back to work. Would he look her way now? Would he see she was a female?

'Is my brother here?' a familiar voice enquired smilingly.

'Tatum! How lovely to see you. Savannah rushed to the young girl and hugged her. 'He's in Atlanta,' Savannah smiled.

'Tell me he's no longer with that annoying model ... Carina,' Tatum groaned.

'Can I get you something to drink?' Savannah offered.

'Evasive as always,' Tatum laughed.

'So what brings you here?' Savannah smiled.

'My eighteenth,' Tatum grinned.

'Ah yes, in three weeks time,' Savannah laughed. 'What would you like as a present?'

'I want to move in with my boyfriend,' Tatum sighed.

Savannah raised her eyebrows. Even though Tatum's parents were alive, Ross ruled over his baby sister like a prison warden.

'You figure it would be easier for me to walk bare-footed to the North Pole,' Tatum spoke dejectedly.

Even though Tatum was finally eighteen, she knew that it would not matter to Ross. He would not allow his baby sister to move in with a man.

'So what are you doing for your party? Savannah smiled.

'Ever the diplomat, aren't you?' Tatum smiled. 'No wonder Ross is holding on to you so tightly.'

'Oh no,' Savannah laughed, shaking her head.

'You're indispensable,' Tatum nodded robustly. 'I got that from the horse's mouth.'

'Really!' Savanna was gushing. She tried not to.

'Yeah,' Tatum somewhat distracted, flopped onto the visitor's settee. 'Apparently I'm allowed to plan my party.'

'That sounds exciting,' Savannah forced herself to pay attention to Tatum.

'Yeah and big brother tells me I don't have a budget,' Tatum lifted her feet onto the coffee table.

'Now what more could a girl ask for?' Savannah grinned.

'So when's he back?' Tatum frowned.

'Tonight.'

'He said I could talk to you about the catering.'

'I can help with that,' Savannah nodded.

'I'm just going to have a party at home,' Tatum sulked. 'I did have some adventurous locations, but I know Ross would freak out.'

'I think that's safe,' Savannah smiled tactfully. 'Then you don't have to worry about driving. I'm sure there's going to be some pretty heavy alcohol binging going on.''

Savannah knew Tatum's friends could drink a sailor under the table.

'I've ordered my dress,' Tatum sat up. 'It is stunning,' she posed with her palms held together as if praying.

'Can't wait to see it,' Savannah laughed.

'What time will you get there Savannah?'

'Oh. Look I'm sure it's private and all. I'd rather not, but I'll assist with everything.'

'Nonsense, you have to be there, besides Ross would want you there.'

'Not necessarily,' Savannah shook her head. She had met his parents, but she knew her boss liked his private life private.

'I want you there,' Tatum insisted.

'I think you must clear that with your brother.'

'Fine,' Tatum stood up. 'I know just how to twist him around my little finger,' she grinned.

'Good luck with moving in with Tristan,' Savannah smirked.

Savannah knew Tatum's hippy boyfriend annoyed Ross to no end. She'd heard Ross once comment about Tristan's trousers falling of his hips. Savannah would not repeat to Tatum, Ross's comment about Tristan being a "lazy bum."

The smile disappeared of Tatum's face. 'I'm leaving,' she pretended to be angry, but could not pull it off. They giggled. Savannah was hugged and off Tatum departed.

Ross heaved a sigh. He wished he was already finished with business and on his way back to his office...to his secretary. He stared out the window as his plane began its descent, but he did not see the Atlanta buckhead skyline; or the majestic Bank of America Plaza skyscraper. Upon final approach, the dense forests and rolling hills came into view, along with the rest of Atlanta's sprawling architectural cityscape. He saw none of that either.

During his meeting, Ross twice picked up his mobile to call Savannah, but he could not think of a valid reason to do so and promptly shoved his phone back into his pocket. His thoughts travelled back to last night, to the attractive image of Savannah standing at his door. She would not even come into his home. Her eyes had hinted at fury, but she was ever the professional, maintaining her composure. Her hair looked beautiful he thought and her lips.... He would get back to New York before sunset, he determined and he would convince her to have dinner with him.

Savannah lay in her bath, swishing her feet in and out of the bubbly water. She wondered if Ross had returned. Surprisingly, very surprisingly he had not once called her today. That was most unusual. She'd deliberately stayed at the office until after six, hoping he'd pop in, but he hadn't. With all her work up to date, including all the filing, she could not just sit there and twiddle her thumbs. Reluctantly, in the somber mood she was in, she walked the few blocks to her home.

She had missed hearing his deep, baritone voice. It was almost eight thirty, surely he's back home. She made herself an omlettee, had it with two glasses of red wine. Not in the mood for any TV, she had an early night.

When Savannah got to the office in the morning, the boss was in already. Her stomach knotted. She could hear him on a call. She wanted to rush in, just to glimpse him, but she waited. She switched on her pc, made his coffee, checked her lipstick in her compact mirror and walked into his office with her heart thudding so violently as if it wanted out of her body.

'Last night was good Jack,' Ross smiled into the phone. 'We must do it again. This time you have to come to New York,' Ross's eyes roved over Savannah as she approached his desk with his coffee. His sizzling look undid her. Her body tingled with awareness, engulfed with desire.

'Morning Savannah,' Ross greeted cheerfully.

Clearly he'd had a raving time in Atlanta. 'Morning,' she smiled politely. 'How was your trip?'

'More pleasant than I'd anticipated,' he laughed. 'After the meeting, the guys wanted to have some drinks. I only got back after midnight.'

'Is that chocolates on my table,' Savannah laughed softly.

Ross's heart constricted, his throat ached from the lump forming there. 'Why don't you open it,' he murmured. For a moment they were staring at each other. Savanna felt her cheeks burn. There was a flare of heat in Ross''s violet eyes, every feminine part of hers exploded with awareness.

'Thank you,' she spoke softly. He nodded. Savannah filled him in on his diary and matters that needed his attention. Ross issued a few crisp instructions subsequent to his Atlanta meeting.

'So you're still busy tomorrow?' Ross ventured.

'Excuse me?'

'The fashion show.'

'Umm ... yes,' she lied. Ross nodded and turned to his computer. Savannah walked out.

The women are sizzling Ross thought as he admired model after model from his front row seat. He nodded his appreciation when they made eye contact with him. He applauded when he thought the gown was deserving of acknowledgement. He could have any one of them tonight he concluded. Every one of them were giving him bed room eyes. He was not into redheads, but the one model was practically undressing him with her eyes. She was extremely sexy, slender legs, curvy and a shapely bottom begging to be caressed. Her eyes danced with mischief. The evening dress she was modeling was spectular, above the knee, scarlet silk chiffon, halter gown, with tiny waistline, and plunging open back.

He was taking her home, he decided. There was only one way to forget his distracting secretary, find somebody else very quickly. When the show was over, Ross stood up, making eye contact with the redhead. He smiled sexily and applauded. Swaying her hips seductively, the redhead negotiated the few steps and made her way to where Ross stood.

'Savannah, Ross is cheating on Carina!'

'What!' Savannah was still at home, she had been about to lock up and leave to work when she'd answered Louise's call on her mobile.

'Check this morning's paper Savannah. He was seen leaving a fashion show with some redhead and there are more pictures of them having a cozy late night meal together, real cozy.'

Savannah could just picture the mischievous grin on Louise's face.

'It's Mr. Templeton to you Louise,' Savannah's heart was heavy as lead as she opened the morning newspaper. She bit back the sob, blinked away the tears as she studied the evidence of her boss entranced by the stunning lady with him. They were at a dinner table, gazing at each other. Ross's eyes were teasing, flirting.

'Savannah are you there?'

'Er ... yeah. Look I'm in a hurry. I have to rush,' Savannah cut the call. She dropped her phone, sunk to the floor and hugged her knees. The tears were flowing more freely now. I should have went with him. If I went with him... No. He feels nothing for me. I'm just an employee to him. He does not look at me as if I'm a woman.

She shut her eyes. Just when she'd thought there was hope for her. It did not take him three days to replace Carina.

Cold, insensitive, unfeeling fiend!
      
           -end chapter three-