Buttoned-Up Secretary, British Boss by Susanne James Page A

She would buy his books from now on, she decided, all of them. Because now she had an intensely personal interest in anything and everything that concerned Alexander McDonald.
    Of course by now his dreadful scrawl had become as plain as day to Sabrina. What she’d found so difficult to make out on that first day was not difficult any more. He seemed amazed at how quickly she was able to pass him the most recent printout.
    Sabrina’s present feeling of being so upbeat had a lot to do with Melly’s experience in Spain. They’d only had three phone conversations since she had left, and each one had been full of how well everything was going over there; how Melly was being complimented on her work and attitude; how much fun she was having. Sabrina could barely recognize the voice at the other end. Her sister was usually the one whose pint was always half-empty rather than half-full, but there was no hint of pessimism now. She was having a ball, and although Sabrina was careful not to mention anything about health it was quite obvious that her sister was feeling on top of the world, with no talk of her being depressed or anxious about anything at all. A hasty text this week had informed Sabrina that the tour had been extended, possibly for two or three weeks.
    At around midday the front-door bell rang and Sabrina stopped typing and looked up in surprise. They seldom, if ever, had any visitors.
    Going downstairs, she opened the door to see the instantly recognizable figure of Bruno McDonald standing there, casually dressed in black trousers and blue rugby-shirt. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and although there was an obvious likeness to his brother itwas clear at Sabrina’s first glance that it was Alexander who’d been especially endowed by nature. For one thing, Bruno did not possess the same spectacular jet-black eyes, the same magnetic, searching expression…
    His smile was friendly, and more than interested in Sabrina as he looked down at her.
    ‘Ah, you must be the new secretary—the lovely Sabrina,’ he drawled lazily, his glance sweeping from Sabrina’s face, down the entire length of her body and back again, making her feel as if she was standing there with nothing on.
    ‘Yes, I’m Sabrina, Mr McDonald,’ she said hesitantly. ‘I’m afraid your brother is not here at the moment. He goes to the gym on Thursdays.’
    Bruno waited a second before answering. ‘Yes, I know, and I realized he probably wouldn’t be back yet. But I was in the area and thought it worth dropping in. I want to talk to him about something he’s looking at for me.’ He smiled slowly. ‘I’ll come in and wait for him.’
    Sabrina stood back at once for him to come inside. ‘Of course. Can I make you a coffee?’
    ‘That would be most kind, Sabrina.’ The words which anyone might use, but spoken in that particular way, made Sabrina feel distinctly uncomfortable. She hoped Alexander wouldn’t be long.
    Bruno followed her along the hall into the kitchen, and presently stood idly leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets, watching Sabrina as she filled the kettle.
    ‘So, how long has…Sabrina been working for my brother?’ he enquired.
    ‘Oh, just a few weeks,’ Sabrina replied, not looking at him, not wanting to make eye contact.
    ‘Well, now, and what’s he like as an employer?’Bruno said. ‘Of course, the other woman—Janet—was with him for absolutely ages, put up with him for years, so I suppose she was used to his ways. But—’ he paused ‘—I imagine that Alexander can be difficult—a bit of a brute at times.’
    Now Sabrina turned and looked at Bruno squarely. ‘On the contrary,’ she said coolly, ‘I have never found Mr McDonald to be anything other than entirely businesslike and professional.’
    How dreadful was this? she thought. Discussing Alexander under his own roof with a complete stranger, even if it was with a member of the family. She was beginning to heartily dislike the man