Her ample bosom heaved at just the thought of the roguish pirate's touch, and Angeline DeBoussey knew that one day soon, he'd be hers. Shelby read the final line of the manuscript on her computer monitor and sighed.

For a New York Times bestselling author, Lucinda DeMarco sure loved her purple prose. How did she ever manage to sell over five million copies of her books worldwide? Oh, yeah. Because of people like me, the young woman thought.

Glancing at the business cards in the silver container on the corner of her desk, Shelby grimaced. Editorial Assistant. The title printed in black ink under her name had remained unchanged since she was hired at the publishing firm three years ago.

Clicking her discreetly manicured nails on the desktop, she stared at the flashing cursor on the screen. Readers expected over-the-top writing from historical romances, but having both a heaving bosom (and ample ones, no less!) and a roguish pirate mentioned in the same sentence sent a shiver up her spine. Biting her lip, she began typing in the track changes comment box.

"Consider leaving MC's intentions more open-ended to tease readers into sequel," she whispered the suggestion as the words appeared in front of her, knowing full well it would go unheeded.

At least she was done. Saving the document, she was just about to email it off when a man stuck his dark-haired head through her open door.

"Shelby, I need you." He disappeared just as quickly as he'd arrived, but the young woman didn't need any more to follow.

Those four, simple words coming from the mouth of such a perfect male specimen would have made her heart jump on any day. But he was also her superior, so Shelby had a professional obligation to attend his call.

She would have never considered it an obligation, though. As the youngest managing editor at the up-and-coming imprint, Nick Farmer didn't get where he was alone. Smartly leveraging his most talented employees, he built on their drive and success to build his own. And Shelby was one of his favorites.

"What does work-hubby want now?" The woman in the adjacent office grinned as Shelby passed by.

"Ssh, Bree," Shelby chided, pausing to address her colleague. "That's such a ridiculous concept. And one of these days he's going to call Human Resources on you."

"Ridiculous?" Bree stood from her chair and adjusted her skin-tight tank dress. "Then tell me why he doesn't get Liza to help and instead, always comes running to you?"

Shelby shook her head, allowing a wisp of mousy-brown hair to fall from her updo. "I don't have time for this, but I'm sure it's something more involved than what an executive assistant could manage."

Turning on her heels, she rushed down the corridor. After getting a silent nod of approval from Liza and her annoying pixie cut, she entered Nick's office.

Standing at his desk in one of his impeccably tailored shirts, he bent over the computer's keyboard and scowled. But even such a harsh expression couldn't ruin his classically handsome features, which softened when he saw Shelby.

"Oh, thank God." He raked his fingers through his hair. "I have a presentation with the VPs in five minutes, and this damn file won't save to the thumb drive."

Shelby held back a smile and took over. Bree was right, but she didn't care. Sitting at the desk, she attempted to locate the device on the desktop before manually removing it from the drive. As she bent forward, Nick's breath grazed the back of her neck, and she had to momentarily close her eyes to compose herself.

"I can't access the external storage, but rebooting may take longer than what you have time for." Shelby looked up, her face just inches from his. Against her better judgment, she let her eyes linger longer than necessary on the soft curve of his lips among the purposeful stubble. The musky smell of his aftershave filled her nostrils, and she had to clear her throat before speaking again. "Uhm . . . you could log in remotely from the conference room," she suggested, averting her glance.

Nick checked his watch, which probably cost more than her monthly mortgage payment. "Shit. I don't have time for that." But almost instantaneously, his furrowed brows suddenly relaxed and a familiar crease appeared beside his baby-blue eyes. Over time, Shelby had come to know this as a sign of happiness, and she hoped to be right.

"Tell you what. Come downstairs with me to the meeting." He grabbed his suit jacket off the back of the chair. "I can get things started while you set up. As thanks, you can sit in and maybe learn something interesting."

Even without the added incentive, Shelby wouldn't have refused. It wasn't in her nature, especially when it came to her boss. He could have asked her to paint his office, walk his dog, or do his kid's math homework, and she would have done it. His sly smile definitely gave extra potential to the phrase "other duties as assigned" that rounded out her job description.

Not wasting any more time, the duo left the office and headed toward the elevator. Nick pressed the already lit call button multiple times, in a vain attempt to rush the process.

"You're moving this weekend, aren't you?" Shelby attempted to divert his attention.

Stepping back as the doors slid apart and two women disembarked, he put one hand in his pocket while holding the elevator open with the other. "No, there's been a change of plans." He allowed Shelby to get in before following. "Steph realized the day before we were to sign the lease that she didn't want a longer commute. So we're back on the market."

"That's too bad." Shelby frowned in sympathy, as she pressed the inside button for the 4th floor. Nick had been so excited to move to the new condo - he'd raved about all the extra space and the original hardwood floors - and now his wife had suddenly nixed their plans.

"It's fine. We'll find something even better." He shrugged his shoulders just as Shelby's cell phone rang.

The number was one she knew well. "Hey, sweetie. I'm literally running to a meeting. Can I call you back in an hour or so?" She greeted her husband before he even had a chance to say a word.

Biting her lip as he agreed, she quickly wrapped up the call. "Uh-huh. Yes. Okay, I'll see you at home. Love you, too." She turned her attention back to the man standing by her side. "Rob says hi."

"Thanks. How's he liking that new job? It was with a consulting firm, if I remember correctly." Nick leaned against the elevator's wall as it continued to slowly descend, barely lowering his towering frame to her level.

"It was, but that was a year ago." Shelby smiled, surprised he'd remembered. "He's actually at a new place already. A think-tank across town."

"Nice." Nick nodded as the elevator stopped on their floor. "You guys have been together for a while, right?"

"We've only been married for five years, but we've known each other since college." Shelby stepped out. "Of course, we were on and off pretty much that entire time."

"Who's not on and off during college?" He grinned, but all Shelby could do was nod in agreement. There was something about the question that felt . . . leading? Or was it laced with innuendo? Maybe even bordered on intimate?

Perhaps she was reading too much into it. Nick had a wicked sense of humor, but he'd never openly flirt with an employee.

They didn't speak again until they'd entered the glass-walled conference room, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. Walking down the ultra-modern hallway, Shelby's thoughts had been on making sure she remembered all the steps to access Nick's computer files, while he had probably been going over the substance of his upcoming presentation. When they arrived, the room was already full of men whose age and status was only distinguishable by the amount of gray in their hair.

Shelby immediately got to work and had the managerial reports pulled up onto the projected screen by the time Nick had finished his introductory comments. The rest of the session went by quickly, but she couldn't remember many details. While she should have been taking in every morsel of new information she could gain about the publishing industry, her attention was focused more on the man leading the presentation, than his message.

Nick commanded the room, effortlessly discussing sales projections and budget variances while cracking jokes about the vampire-heavy spring offerings of rival houses. Gesturing throughout, his elegant hands expressed his passionate views about the topics, but Shelby wondered how they'd feel against her bare skin.

With the acceleration of her heartbeat, she realized the inappropriateness of the thought, but moving her gaze to Nick's face didn't help either. He must have said something funny again because he was wearing a sly grin that brought a blush to her cheeks.

"Isn't that right, Shelby?" He unexpectedly addressed her.

She momentarily forgot to breathe, not having paid attention to the conversation, but knowing every eye one the room was now on her.

What the hell. She'd have to wing it.

"Absolutely." Shelby nodded, her voice full of feigned confidence.

Nick looked pleased. "There you have it, gentlemen." He turned back toward the others. "You can't argue with someone who knows her stuff. Thanks for your attention, and I'll see you next quarter."

Exhaling a sigh of relief, Shelby stayed in her seat while Nick shook hands with the men as they left.

"Thank you for that. You were great." He put a hand on her shoulder from behind.

She cleared her throat as a surge of electricity ran through her body. "Not at all. I'm glad I could help." Pushing her chair back, she wanted nothing more than to retreat to her office.

"Let's get some lunch." Nick offered as they headed toward the elevator.

"Oh, no. I have a ton of work piled up-"

"Coffee then." He must have seen she was ready to refuse that, as well. "I'll make it quick and let you get back to the grind, but there's something I want to talk to you about."

Reluctantly agreeing, Shelby followed him to the lobby's coffee shop. After getting their order, they sat at a small bistro table for two.

"I know I don't say it enough, but I really value your work." Nick took a sip of his drink.

Shelby felt her face flush and glanced down at her latte. "Thank you."

"And I think it's time you took the next step in your career. Interested?"

Looking up, she furrowed her brows. "What did you have in mind?"

"Our division has been expanding and we need another Acquisitions Editor. Now, your duties would obviously change, but we'd be working more closely together."

Shelby's stomach did a metaphorical flip. "Wow. Of course. Thank you." She'd originally applied for the more senior position three years earlier, but had been found to be under qualified. Nick's confidence in her abilities now wasn't surprising, but it was still appreciated.

"You deserve it, so I'm glad to hear you want to stick around." Nick took another sip before standing. Stepping away, he glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, and don't forget to call your husband."

Shelby smiled as he left. "Right. Thanks."

After dialing, she only had to wait two rings before he picked up.

How's your day going? Rob's smooth, loving voice rang out from the other end.

"Busy. Work's work," she answered, the anticipation of her news slowly bubbling to the surface. "But guess what? I've gotten that promotion." She had no further confessions. Nothing else from today mattered, and just like on other days, nothing else - Nick included - would make it home with her.

The End