title: A Rose for Cassie
author: Heyward, Brenda
description: Lloyd Patterson was unbearable with an overblown ego he was ready to end one career and start another one.
  Cassie Chandler was dying to explode, unfortunately, he was brilliant… and her client’s spokes man. Her Dilemma? Double trouble if she admitted her intense attraction--and that sure wasn’t going to happen. However, Lloyd had other plans. He was willing to dive to make the impossible catch. And break a few rules along the way to persuade Cassie that love wasn’t just a game to him, it meant forever.
  Excerpt:
  Cassie tossed her head to free her hair of his seeking fingers. “Why did you lie to Joseph about us having plans tonight?”
  “Because, I had spent nine long innings thinking about making love to you,”
  Again, he said it calmly, with just a hint of a smile on his lips, but Cassie realized he was quite serious. “Well, that was direct and to the point.”
  “You prefer things that way, don’t you?”
  “Yes,” she agreed, settling back against the rail again. “So let me do the same for you. We are going to working together for several months on a real large project that involves a number of people. I’m darned proficient at my job, and I intend to see that you are darned proficient at yours.
  “So?”
  Her eyes flashed at his tone. However, Cassie continued. “Because personal relationships interfere with professional judgment, as your director, I have no intention of becoming you lover, however, briefly.”
  “Briefly?” Lloyd repeated, studying her. “Do you always anticipate the length of your relationships beforehand?” He continued slowly, “You are more of a romantic gesture than that.”
  “I don’t care what you think,” she snapped, “As long as you understand.”
  “I understand,” Lloyd agreed, now beginning to understand. “You’re dodging the issue.”
  “I certainly am not!” As her temper flared which now reflected in her stance, her eyes as well as her voice? “I’m telling you straight out that I’m not interested, if that bruised your ego, that’s too bad.”
  Lloyd grabbed her arm when she tried to swept pass him. “You know,” he began in a careful tone that warned of simmering anger, “You infuriate me. I can’t remember the last time a woman affected me that way.”
  “I’m not surprised.” Cassie jerked her arm out of his hold. “You have been to busy overwhelming them with your charm.”
  “And you’re too worried about being discarded to have any kind of relationship.”
  She made a quick, involuntary sound, as if she had been struck. Her cheeks went pale, her eyes dark, she stared at him before she shoved him aside to race up the stairs.