Seducing The Boss (Pulse #2) - Mari Carr Page 0,1

makeup, ponytail, and scrubs at work. Even at their bimonthly dinner with their high school friends, the only thing she traded was the loose-fitting work attire for T-shirts and jeans.

Tonight she’d clearly gone to quite a bit of effort. Kellan tried to recall the last time he had seen her dark auburn hair down like that. Then he remembered—it had been at the holiday work social a couple of years ago. They ran in similar circles so they were always attending the same events—be it work or personal. The long, thick mass of waves curled over her shoulders in a way that made a man itch to run his fingers through it. Of course, he hadn’t taken the time to appreciate it the night of that party as he’d been out with Monique Rossiter, a Victoria’s Secret model.

It struck him as odd that the memory of Monique didn’t distract him from the image of Sara right now. While he’d always thought his friend was passably pretty, she’d never really taken his breath away.

Tonight, she did.

Her bright, lively blue eyes were outlined with that black stuff women wore all the time, the thick lashes accentuating their pretty shape, making them sparkle.

Her porcelain skin stood out in contrast to her darkened eyes and the shiny pink gloss she’d tinted her lips with. He had never—not once in his life—pondered kissing those lips, but now that she’d drawn his attention to them, Kellan wondered what it would be like. He bet she tasted sweet.

All these years, he’d always seen Sara as a sister-type more than fuckable-type.

Unfortunately, his thoughts at the moment had nothing to do with brotherly interest. Jesus. He had a hard-on just looking at her. Josh would have a field day with that information, and he was glad his friend was still distracted at the pool table.

Kellan took a deep breath as he willed the attraction away. For one thing, he was her boss, and for another…well, for another, this was freaking Sara. Sitting here undressing her with his eyes and imagining all the sounds he’d provoke from her between the sheets as he slid down her… Shit. Clearly he was overtired. He closed his eyes and reconsidered approaching the blonde at the bar.

No. He knew how to set things straight.

Rising from his seat, he walked over to Sara. Once she started talking to him, he felt certain his dick would return to “down boy” mode. Though they were good friends, Sara had a tone—a mixture of annoyed and amused—that she reserved strictly for him. Of course, she’d probably accuse him of the same. Only his special tone for her would be equal parts condescending and playful.

He wolf-whistled as he approached her table. She glanced up and instantly rolled her eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

He grinned as he scooted into the booth. “It’s Friday night. Thought I’d come unwind and check out the potential hook-up action.”

With one eyebrow raised, she gave him a very pointed look. “I’m not the droid you’re looking for. Move along.”

He and Sara had very little in common, but on Star Wars they could agree.

Kellan laughed. “No worries there, Scrubs.” He gestured toward the blonde at the bar, even though he had no intention of talking to the other woman. “I’ve spotted my prey for the evening.”

He’d taken to calling her Scrubs shortly after she received her RN license, hoping to annoy her with the nickname until she traded in the damn uniform for professional attire and an administrative role. Unfortunately, the more he used it, the more she seemed to like it—and take it to heart.

Sara studied his choice and smirked. “Typical. What is it with you and blondes?”

“I’m not partial.” If asked, he’d have to say he preferred her hair color tonight, the way the lighting in the bar brought out the million different shades of red in her auburn tresses. He swallowed heavily.

Sara. This was Sara. Stop looking at her damn hair.

“I’m sure all the bimbos on the planet will be relieved to hear that.”

Kellan picked up a lock of her hair, unable to resist seeing if it was as soft as it looked. No one had ever accused him of being too practical. In fact, he was far too impulsive when it came to physical attraction. “What’s up with the hair and makeup?”

She blushed, something Sara rarely did. The response sparked his interest even more.

“None of your business,” she said, glancing toward the door.

“Waiting for someone?” he pressed, wishing he’d never touched her