Excerpt for Baer and the Three Goldilocks

It was five minutes before nine o'clock in the morning at Baer Hugs, a health club for women. No need to check the big Seth Thomas clock on the wall for confirmation, Susan could set her watch by them. At the same time each weekday morning, every trainer, aerobics instructor and nutritionist, who wasn't involved in a class, found a way to observe the parking lot and front entrance. That's when Duncan Morrison arrived for work.

Not that she blamed them for wanting to stare. He was gorgeous. Over six feet of rippling muscle, the smooth grace of a ballet dancer and shoulders broad enough to carry the weight of the world. Make that two worlds . They were broad. She knew because she saw them flex and settle each day when he took off his suit jacket. It did such things to her insides that she almost missed the dimples deep enough to sink in or the way the slightest amusement could make his lips turn up in a smile and light the deep, rich blue of his eyes.

Yes, his shoulders were a distraction. Almost distraction enough to keep her mind off the way his blond hair tipped his ears and had started to curl against his nape.

The difference was Susan Baer didn't have to stand around and watch Duncan make his way in from the parking lot in order to quench the lust in her heart. He was her assistant. She could gaze at him all day. Nonetheless, this morning she stood where the hall gave way to the lobby of the building and watched, right along with everyone else.

Sighing, she gave in for a moment to the natural tug on her emotions, the strong need to share her life with someone, to end the loneliness she'd always felt. She wanted to love and be loved, and now, at this point in life, she was ready and able.

In the business world, all she'd wanted to prove, she'd proven. A good portion of what she'd wanted to accomplish, she'd successfully completed. But when it came to personal goals, she hadn't even begun.

So, considering where she'd started and where she was now, it was grossly unfair that she wanted to do more than gaze at Duncan. It was harder and harder to ignore the tingle that radiated through her each time they touched. Almost impossible to keep the longing out of her voice when they talked about anything non-business related. And she wondered how he missed the fact that she wandered into his office to ask questions she already knew the answers to. Undeniably, the attraction was driving her crazy. Yet she had to remember that he was an employee.

And, of course, there was the annoying fact of his being gay.

"Good morning, ladies." A warm smile crossed his face as he passed women lounging against the walls or propped in doorways, blatantly waiting to smile and greet him. "Good morning, Susan," he said as they walked to their offices.

"Made it through the gauntlet another day, I see."

His dimples showed themselves as he grinned down at her. With her small five foot four inch height, he could have made her feel overpowered, but he usually maintained distance enough that looking up wasn't a strain. It was a gentlemanly thing to do, but a gesture most men didn't consider. Duncan anticipated her needs and made adjustments in a way no other man ever had.

"I don't know why they do that. I've worked here for two weeks now, so you'd think the novelty of my being the only man would have worn off."
Susan shook her head, making the turn into the office. "Duncan, look in the mirror. The novelty is never going to wear off. The fact that you don't like girls is not going to keep them away from you."

"Even if I wore a big sign that said, 'I am not a boy toy'?" he asked, laughing.

"Not even then, trust me." She picked up papers from the tray of the fax machine and patted his shoulder with them as she walked past his desk and into her own office.

Seconds later she came back to the doorway, in time to see him stretch his shoulders after hanging up his jacket. It was no Freudian slip that she remembered to come back at that particular moment and ask for the Sixth Avenue project file. No, it was purely intentional, even though it tortured her. Her heart filled her throat and she felt a sharp pang of desire strike.

Unfair, so unfair. If only he wasn't…

Of course, if he weren't gay he wouldn't be working with her at all. Her health clubs, named Baer Hugs, were designed for women. They provided exercise, personal training and nutritional advice, as well as snack centers and a full range of pampering. She had practiced non-discrimination in hiring, employing male and female massage therapists and trainers in the past. However, the last four men she'd hired had caused problems. They either became too familiar with the clients, some of whom were quite influential in the city, or they developed relationships with some of their female colleagues, causing unrest among the rest. Women just seemed to be happier working with each other when there weren't men around. Especially if the men were good looking, charming guys.

Like Duncan.

When she'd let the last man go, after two of her top aerobics instructors had engaged in a catfight over him, Susan swore the only man she'd have working for her again would be gay. Then it wouldn't matter what he looked like.

A few months later, her administrative assistant announced she was getting married and leaving town. Susan interviewed eight people, seven women and Duncan. His resume was almost unbelievable, making him by far the best qualified for the position, but she'd determined not to hire him. Reminding him that the club catered exclusively to women-some quite attractive-she hinted that his girlfriend or wife might not appreciate his working there.

She'd waited for Duncan to understand, on his own, that she wasn't going to hire him. Instead, he'd given her a long, solemn appraisal, then flashed a heart-stopping smile and said that perhaps his mother would mind about the women, but no one else would.

He'd crossed his legs, lazily swinging his top leg. Resting his elbow on the chair arm, he fanned his fingers across his cheek, pinkie under the rim of his full bottom lip, and waited for her reaction. Smiling, Susan had offered him her hand and the job. Since then, she'd been nothing but pleased with his work and nothing short of tormented by his good looks and charm.

So, her choice was: torture being around him, knowing that he was definitely out of reach, or not have him there at all, to brighten her day and decorate her office. She'd take the smiles and decoration.

"Duncan, will you bring in the papers on Sixth Avenue, please?"

"Sure. Let me grab a cup of coffee and I'll be right in." He glanced at the desk calendar. "Don't forget Bruce Jones is calling at eleven. I'll bring in the Barber account information, too, so you can make sure you're up to speed." He looked up, raising a brow. "You want coffee while I'm going for it?"

"That would be great, thanks."

How in hell had she gotten so lucky? Easy on the eyes, the best damn admin she'd ever had, bar none, plus he made coffee. And didn't complain about bringing her a cup. Susan hoped Duncan would never leave however much he frustrated her libido.

While waiting, she scanned the fax she'd just picked up. There was a problem completing construction of the newest health center. Cost overruns on the building materials had thrown the budget off kilter and a couple of missed schedule milestones made the opening planned for the end of the following month questionable. Frowning, she first read the factual information then the impressions of the new facility manager.

In the manager's estimation the problem was still controllable, but Susan wasn't sure. It didn't take much for complications to get out of hand, making it almost impossible to rein them back in.

Known for her tight control on business, Susan didn't panic easily, but neither did she disregard the kind of trouble outlined in the report. Close attention to detail had allowed her to own and successfully run the largest chain of health centers for women in the mid-Atlantic region.

Normally she would have asked a manager from another club to help with the construction and opening of a new facility. But Emma Sanders, the woman Susan had hired to head up the Lexington project, had experience opening and managing health clubs and had come highly recommended. In their face to face meetings, Emma had seemed exceptionally competent and knowledgeable. However, maybe she'd given Emma too much leeway because something wasn't right. It was time for an up close and personal look at the progress.

With her concentration centered on the report, she jumped when Duncan set a cup of steaming coffee on the coaster in front of her. He put his cup on the front corner of her desk and deposited two manila file folders beside the report she was reading.

"Frowning like that will give you early wrinkles, you know," he said as he took his seat.

"Thanks for the advice," she retorted, but she consciously relaxed her facial muscles. "Damn, I hate frowning. I'd much rather get wrinkles from smiles brought about by enrollment figures and quarterly profits, but this new club opening in Lexington has me a bit worried. I'll have to go up there." She raised the cup for a drink but paused a moment to examine the calm man sitting before her. She used to think it was a waste that such a gorgeous man was gay. It occurred to her for the first time, that the situation was just the opposite.

Through the steam rising from her cup, she watched him cross his legs and prepare to take notes, then reach for his own cup, taking a quick sip before starting work. She realized with a start that she liked him, quite outside the jump he caused her heart or her appreciation of his office and administrative skills. This was a man she truly enjoyed.

So did the other women working in the club. In two short weeks he'd been accepted as one of them, notwithstanding the spectacle they made of themselves each morning. For the first time she appreciated the truth of the matter, that their unusual welcome was simply homage paid to another beautiful person they delighted in, and not a sexual statement at all. He certainly took it in stride and with humor. No, Duncan's being gay meant they could all be friends with him without jealousies or threats, and she approved of that. His working at the club had affected all of them in a very positive way.

She made a snap decision. "Would you like to come with me? You've shown remarkable insight into the business and I'd be interested in your appraisal of what's going on up there."

"When, and for how long?"

"I'd like to be on site Monday morning, so we'd leave Sunday. Be back Tuesday." She watched as a slight frown crossed his face. "You'll get wrinkles frowning like that."

His burst of laughter caused her to smile, too.

"Of course, it's not a requirement that you come with me. Having you here to handle things will be fine." She put the Lexington report aside and opened one of the folders Duncan had brought in with him.

"No, I didn't mean to hesitate; I was just thinking what plans I might have to rearrange."

Shifting a fraction in his chair on the word "rearrange," he glanced away then back. Was he uncomfortable at the thought of going away with her?

It took no effort for her to envision the two of them, their entangled arms and legs as they made love in a dimly lighted room. Her thighs tensed and she held her breath as the touch of his hands seemed more real than imaginary. Oh shit!

Eyes narrowed, he adopted a stern tone, bringing her back to the present. "I get my own room, don't I? Because I'm not used to sharing with women, even if they are beautiful." Then he winked.

A warm glow heated her cheeks. She, Susan Baer, a woman who'd been written up in magazines and newspapers as one of the new female stars of the fitness industry, was blushing because a man said she was beautiful. And not even a real man, a man's man. She choked on the thought. "A man's man." The old fashioned description of the alpha male could be used now in ways no one in the fifties would have imagined.

Reaching for her coffee to settle the coughing fit, she glanced at Duncan. A look of quiet amusement covered his face. He was teasing her, of course.

Making fun, more like. The fat teenaged girl wearing glasses and braces still hid inside her, jeering, always able to plant Susan's feet on terra firma whenever she found herself getting carried away. Although she hired beautiful women for the club, there was never any question in her mind of whether or not she competed in that arena. She could smile at her reflection in the mirror now, but too many years of being the butt of jokes when she was growing up had killed the notion forever that she might be beautiful. It was all right, though. She was content being average in looks, as long as she stayed above average in brains.

The heat of the coffee she sipped matched the heat she felt at the interpretation she'd put on his words. Her humor disappeared, as his seemed to increase. "Yes, you'd get your own room. And what's so funny? That you hinted I was attractive? Don't worry, I knew it was a joke." If one deep breath was supposed to calm someone's nerves, two must be even better. She took both of them. "So, we'll leave on Sunday. I'll drive. Pick you up around two?"

He nodded, all trace of amusement gone from his face.

"Fine, that's settled. I'll just look over these reports. You don't need to stay. But will you read over this fax and make the arrangements we'll need in Lexington?" Holding out the papers she effectively dismissed him.

"Of course." An awkward pause stretched out as he sat there. "Susan, I'm sorry if I-"

She waved him off. "You have work to do, and so do I." He stood and took the fax, his hand brushing hers.

Duncan watched Susan a moment longer, seeing a rosy blush tinge her cheeks when their fingers touched. Picking up his cup and turning away, he left the office.

His mind churned, trying to determine what he'd said to change her attitude so quickly. Nothing. In fact, he'd said practically nothing since walking into her office. He'd joked about getting his own room in Lexington, but he'd smiled afterward, so surely she'd known he was teasing?

Then he'd added she was beautiful. Sitting at his desk, going through the Rolodex to find the phone numbers he needed to arrange the trip, he cringed at his words. He needed to be more careful in what he said and did. He doubted a real gay man would make such a comment to a woman, at least not using the tone of voice he had. But the plain fact of the matter was, he found it harder every day to remember that he was an undercover investigator, posing as a gay administrative assistant. Especially when his boss was a woman he found beautiful and fascinating.

From the first day, during his interview, he'd found it difficult to keep his mind on what he was there for-securing the job as admin and thus getting himself situated in the health club. There were other ways to make contact with the woman he was looking for, but he'd seen the ad in the help wanted column at the same time he was formulating plans, and the job had seemed the perfect way in.

For a moment, he'd thought Susan was going to pass him over in favor of a woman, even though his skill set was extraordinary. Then he'd caught a hint in her questioning, a subtle suggestion that he might have a chance if only he were…

It had taken only a millisecond to remember his former fiancée, a woman with a tender heart, who nonetheless hadn't minded ripping his out and stomping it into the ground a year earlier. That brief memory had been enough for him to realize that pretending to be a man who could keep his distance from women would be easy. Even from Ms. Susan Baer, whose auburn hair and astonishing green eyes made his still-wounded heart skip a beat.

That was why he'd hesitated when she asked if he wanted to go to Lexington. Seeing her during the day was hard enough. To spend a day and two nights away from the structure of the office, when they would presumably share time relaxing in each other's company? That might pose a problem or two. He'd have to be on his toes every minute.

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Reviews for Baer and the Three Goldilocks

"…one hilarious moment after another ... Ms. Knight deserves a pat on the back for this lovely adult bedtime story. Her idea was fresh, and her writing is witty." - 5 Angels, Recommended Read, Joletta, Fallen Angel Reviews

"Dee S. Knight has written a sensuous, humorous story that will get the reader both laughing and panting ... This is not only a scintillating tale, but it will give the reader warm feelings and a satisfying time." - 4 Hearts, Valerie, Love Romances

"…beyond wonderful! … was truly one of the most enjoyable stories I've read! … perfect for a quiet night at home!" - 5 Quills, Tracy Atencio, NovelSpot Romance Reviews

"a compelling blend of fairy tale, interesting twists, and romance." - 4.5 Quills, Maitresse, NovelSpot Romance Reviews

"…whimsical and funny but heart wrenching and sexy … a wonderful tale filled with all of the elements that create a truly readable romance." - 4 Cups, Kim, Coffee Time Romance

"…Baer and the Three Goldilocks, has it all. … A hot and scintillating story in this modern day fairy tale romance, definitely not one to miss in Ms. Knights line of books." - 4 Unicorns, Melinda, Enchanted in Romance

"Susan Baer really wants a man in her life. How she finds the one who is not too soft, not too hard, but just right make BAER AND THE THREE GOLDILOCKS hard to resist. Don't deprive yourself of this charming and steamy retelling of the fairy tale." - 4.5, Catherine H., Romance Junkies

"Well, what can I say! Baer And The Three Goldilocks is an amazingly strong story about a woman who has to make some choices. Susan is absolutely adorable as the woman who has the choice of three blonde men and she is extremely easy to relate to. Duncan is a heartthrob and a dreamboat of a guy. The chemistry is sizzling and delightfully sweet. Even though the characters of Toby and Bill are not too pleasing, these are the characters that build up the story. Dee S Knight is very precise in describing the characters' feelings and the storyline moves smoothly without neglecting any point anywhere. Dee has beautifully blended emotion, passion and humour to create a fascinatingly different adaptation of a fairy-tale. You just have to pick up this one to know what I am talking about!
Baer And The Three Goldilocks is neither too much, nor too little, it is just perfect!" - 4.5 Hearts, Dee Herga, The Romance Studio

“…a heated, character driven romance … perfect for an afternoon’s entertainment.” - Tracy Farnsworth, Rountdtable Reviews

"Another winner from one of my favorite authors, Dee S. Knight. Her take on the old favorite Goldilocks and the Three Bears is funny, sensual and touching. You can't help but fall in love with Susan and Duncan (you certainly can't help drooling over Duncan. *g*) from page one. As the story unfolds, you are biting your nails, waiting for Susan to find the right man for her. The different personalities of all the guys made for a very interesting read and watching Susan work through her emotions and desires with all of them was a lot of fun. After reading Baer and the Three Goldilocks I don't know if there is anyone who will look at pickles the same way again. *g*" - Sharyn McGinty, In the Library Reviews

"With her enchanting grownup version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Dee Knight has composed a tale that is delightful in its creativity ... Ms. Knight gives us characters who are charming and witty to those who are disrespectful and naughty. BAER AND THE THREE GOLDILOCKS is a warmhearted, sometimes poignant, often amusing tale with vividly drawn characters, and will appeal to readers who love a happily-ever-after story ... This is one of those stories that will have you smiling from the very beginning of the tale, and the warm feelings you experience from this story only deepen as the book is read … Duncan's protective nature makes him a true hero, as he comes to Susan's rescue from the wrong men. When this couple finally gets together, their scenes are fiery and passionate with an underlying tenderness." 5 Stars, Amelia Richards, eCataromance

"Ms. Knight proves once more the excellent grasp she has on the nature of human emotion, pulling the reader's emotional cords just the right way ... I truly enjoyed Baer and the Three Goldilocks and absolutely recommend it to all lovers of contemporary erotic romance." - 5 Stars, Mireya Orsini, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

“…a sexy, funny romantic comedy with a ribald modern perspective on an old classic … Wonderful dynamic characters and a great plot will satisfy the most discriminating reader.” - 4 Roses, Cynthia, A Romance Review

"The storyline is amusing, with tasty tidbits of sex, a swinger's party, and a little bit of dominating conversation. All in all, a tasty treat, and an amusing twist on a classic." - Ansley Velarde, Road to Romance

"Dee Knight tells a witty tale, full of emotions and fun!! The interaction between Duncan and Susan is priceless. When they finally come together, Dee weaves their attraction into a sweet yet HOT love story. Makes me want to see what's next." - Rae Monet, author of The Lost Wolf Warrior

"...an enjoyable read indeed." - 4 Flames, Joy, Sizzling Romances

"…a delightful fairy-tale romance loaded with humor and sexual experiences … a potpourri of highly entertaining characters, each of whom exhibits his or her own unique personality." - 3 Stars, Susan Housley, Romantic Times

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