“Of course they are,” he said. It was true. Duke’s floaters were an enthusiastic and skilled group. But that wouldn’t be enough for this job.

“Now, you behave,” Marjorie added in a hushed voice, making Adam feel like a ten-year-old who’d been caught stealing apples from old man Petrie’s orchard. “Trish is very smart and pretty.”

“Yeah, but can she type?” Adam muttered acerbically.

Trish James had heard more than enough from Adam Duke, who obviously hadn’t noticed that she’d been standing in the doorway to his office for the last five minutes.

It’s showtime, she thought, steeling her nerves as she pushed away from the door and crossed the wide, elegantly furnished office to introduce herself.

“I type 120 words per minute, Mr. Duke,” Trish said brightly as she held out her hand to shake Adam Duke’s. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Trish James, your special assignment assistant.”

As their hands touched, Trish felt a jolt of heat and stared up at the man, hoping her apprehension didn’t show on her face. She’d known from the start that the CEO of Duke Development would be a formidable opponent. She just hadn’t realized that he’d be so tall and intimidating. Or so attractive-if you cared for the sort of potent, masculine toughness that must’ve appealed to every last woman in the known universe. Looking into his dark blue eyes, she felt her stomach take an unwelcome dip. Even seething with anger, Adam oozed sex appeal from every inch of his broad, muscular frame. Minutes ago, as she’d watched him from the office doorway, Trish had had to stifle an almost overwhelming urge to sneak away.

But Grandma Anna hadn’t raised a coward, so she’d pushed ahead and here she was, ready to beard the lion in his own den.

“Trish dear,” Marjorie said with a wink, clearly aware that Trish had overheard everything the HR manager and Adam had just said. “This is Adam Duke, of course. You’ll be working together for the next few weeks. I know you’ll do a wonderful job. Call me if you have any questions.”