Dante's Temporary Fiancée

Instead of exiting into the reception area, he escorted her through the door leading to the hallway. “Is there a problem?” she asked. “I hope you don’t blame Mr. Barney for my mistake. He did fire me, if that helps.”

Ouch. “It’s nothing like that,” he reassured. “I wanted to speak to you in private.”

Leading the way to the wing of private offices, he reached a set of double doors with a discreet gold plaque that read “Rafaelo Dante, President, Dantes Courier Service.” He keyed the remote control fob in his pocket and the doors snicked open. Gesturing her into the darkened interior, he touched a button on a panel near the door. Soft lights brightened the sitting area section of his office, leaving the business side with its desk, credenza and chairs in darkness.

“Have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”

She hesitated, then gave a soft laugh. “I know I’m supposed to say no, thank you. But I’d love some water.”

“Coming right up.”

He opened the cabinet door that concealed a small refrigerator and removed two bottles of water. After collecting a pair of glasses and dropping some ice cubes into each, he joined her on the couch. Sitting so close to her might have been a mistake. He could sense her in ways he’d rather not. The light, citrusy scent of her that somehow managed to curl around and through him. The warmth and energy of her body. The way the light caught in her hair and left her eyes in dusky blue shadow. He’d hoped the business setting would dampen his reaction to her. Instead, the solitude served only to increase his awareness.

He gathered his control around him like a cloak, forcing himself to deal with the business at hand. “I’m sorry about your job,” he said, passing her the water. “Firing you seems a bit severe for a simple accident.”

“I don’t normally work the more exclusive accounts. This was my first time.” She made a face. “And my last.”

“The catering firm won’t switch you over to work some of their smaller parties?”

She released a sigh. “To be honest, I doubt it. The woman in charge of those accounts isn’t a fan of mine right now.”

“Personality conflict?”

The question made her uncomfortable. “Not exactly.”

If he was going to hire her, he needed to gather as much information about her as possible, especially if she didn’t deal well with authority. “Then what, exactly?” he pressed.

“Her boyfriend was on the waitstaff, and…”

“And?”

“He hit on me,” Larkin reluctantly confessed.

“Something you encouraged?”

To his surprise, she didn’t take offense at the question. In fact, she laughed. “JD doesn’t require encouragement. He hits on anyone remotely female. I hope Britt figures out what a sleaze he is sooner, rather than later. She could do a lot better.”

Rafe sat there for a moment, nonplussed. “You’re worried about your supervisor, not your job?”

“I can always get another job, even if it’s washing dishes,” Larkin explained matter-of-factly. “But Britt’s nice…when she’s not furious because JD’s flirting with the help. I just got caught in the middle.”

Huh. Interesting assessment. “And now?”

For the first time a hint of worry nibbled at the corners of her eyes and edged across her expression. “I’m sure it will all work out.”

“I overheard Barney say something about rent.”

She released a soft sigh, the sound filled with a wealth of weariness. “I’m a little behind. What he gave me for tonight’s work should cover it.”

“But you need another job.”

She tilted her head to one side. “I don’t suppose you’re hiring?”

He liked her directness. No coyness. No wide-eyed, gushing pretense or any sort of sexual over- or undertones. Just a simple, frank question. “I may have a job for you,” he admitted cautiously. “But I’d need to run a quick background check. Do you have any objections?”

And then he saw it. Just a flash of hesitation before she shook her head. “I don’t have any objections.”