Eclipse of the Heart - By Carly Carson Page 0,2

said. "Of course I wanted to meet you, to make sure we’d suit, but other than that—" He shrugged. "It’s not a complicated job."

It wasn’t? A job with the rather vague title "Director of Entrepreneurial Services" seemed fertile ground for complexities in her mind.

"I assume the salary is satisfactory," he added coolly.

She nodded, afraid to open her mouth. Clever guy, reminding her of what was at stake. The salary was double what she’d expected to earn just a few years out of business school. But the generous amount, especially if combined with insurance benefits, would make all the difference in the lives of her family. Most importantly, it would give her mother the financial freedom to leave her job and accompany her sister Julie to the hospital in Denver that specialized in treating her lung disease.

"Good." Logan caught her gaze and a slight curve of his lips hinted at amusement. "I think you’ll find that if I’m pleased with your…abilities, I’ll be more than generous with bonuses and things of that nature."

Things of that nature? Weren’t bonuses always in cash? She bit down on her tongue. No sense looking a gift horse in the mouth with stupid questions. On the other hand, she absolutely needed to clarify some things, no matter how dictatorial he was.

"I do have some questions," she said firmly. Really, it was hard to believe he was the mogul everyone gushed about when he was so casual about hiring employees.

"Human Resources." He waved a hand. "They’ll tell you everything you need to know."

"Fine." She pursed her lips over the word, knowing she looked ridiculously prim and proper. But there was something overly personal in his appraisal of her. Not that he'd said anything she could complain about. But his relaxed attitude somehow made her stiffen up, as if she needed to rein him in, as if one of them had to maintain the formality necessary between boss and subordinate.

She touched her hair to be sure it was still in place. For some reason, he kept glancing at it. "I do need to know," she said, "who I'll report to."

His black eyebrows rose. Now why did that question surprise him?

"Why me, of course," he answered. "Who else?"

She lowered her eyelids, afraid he'd see her distress. It could only be a good thing, career wise, to report to the Chairman. Though she’d have to get her heart rate and her nerves under control if she were going to spend a lot of time in his presence.

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "I do have one unusual request." In a private company like this one, he’d be the only person who could grant it.

"You do?" His dark eyes gleamed with sudden speculation. What in the world did he think she was going to say? She tightened her hands on her purse, her mom's purse actually, and the soft leather bolstered her, reminding her of why she would do whatever it took to get and keep this job. Her mom was counting on her.

"I need my sister and my mother to be included on my health insurance."

"Ahhh." Somehow, the drawn out phrase said she’d finally explained something he’d been wondering about. But she couldn’t imagine what it was.

"That is an unusual request." He leaned back in his chair. "May I ask why this is so important?"

"My sister is ill. She needs some specialized treatment at a hospital in Denver and, well–" It was hard to continue with what she knew was an outrageous request. Now he'd start quizzing her about her parents and other insurance plans and who knows what. Things that didn't matter. She was determined to provide the best private insurance possible for Julie. If her mother quit her job, their insurance would end and they'd be thrown into a bare bones plan.

Amanda eyed the man before her. Despite his rather forbidding appearance, his company offered some of the best benefits available in New York.

"This is important to you?" he said.

"I'm my sister's legal guardian, and she needs health insurance. I can’t take the job without this benefit."

He nodded. "Done then." He leaned forward and picked up his phone.

She tried not to show her shock. She'd expected to be grilled mercilessly and then turned down flat. Instead, she'd seen the first glint of humanity in his eyes when she'd mentioned her sister.

"Letty." He spoke into his phone. "Those twins haven't managed to kill you yet?"

Letty must have said something because he laughed suddenly.

Amanda’s heart stuttered. That laugh transformed him