Wolf in Jester's Clothing

Eleanora Whitman: ruthlessly efficient, totally organized, thoroughly businesslike chief of staff. Personal goals: run a division, then her own company. However attractive her new CEO and however crazy, though successful, his management methods may be, she believes she has the fortitude to ignore the first and the abilities to work with and learn from the second.

Lawrence, “Rence,” Stratford: irreverently laid-back, impossibly facetious, thoroughly charming CEO, who has been hiding his true nature—corporate wolf. Business goal: put his own leadership stamp on the conglomerate. He expects no problems there. Personal goal: get to know his chief of staff intimately. That last won’t be an easy takeover and will require finesse and perseverance. Eleanora is all starch and correctness, and her reporting to him complicates their coming together.

On the agenda: A full-blown reorganization of all divisions and a purchase of a company with secrets. On the side: A secret affair with the risk of disastrous gossip.

Can they negotiate to solve their problems and still have each other?