Page 59 of One Hot Moment

The laugh I tried to squelch comes out a snort. "I know you're joking. Thank you for trying to lighten the mood for me. But I don't think walking into Desmond's office with my hair a mess and my skirt hiked up is the right way to meet him."

The elevator has just glided open, and Spencer gestures for me to go in first. "Oh, I would've helped you straighten your clothes, Tabby. Not much I could do for your lipstick, though."

He's just the cutest. No wonder I fell for him.

We hold hands in the elevator but separate as we approach the receptionist's desk at Desmond Rademaker's office. A very efficient gray-haired woman greets us with a professional smile and tells us to go on in. She even gets up to open the door for us. Have I been remiss in my administrative assistant duties? I've never opened the door for anybody. No one told me that was a requirement for my job.

Okay, yes, I know it's not a requirement. But I do now feel like the low-rent assistant. I get coffee for Spencer, but I've never offered him mints. This woman does that too.

But I'd bet all the money I have that she never screws her boss on his desk.

As we enter Desmond Rademaker's office, I notice that Spencer is lagging a step or two behind. I don't know what to make of that until it hits me like a bolt of lightning. He's being chivalrous again, letting the lady go first. Come to think of it, I've seen him do that with lots of women. Showing respect for women might be the hottest thing he's ever done.

Desmond Rademaker rises from his chair when we approach his desk. He waves toward the two chairs in front of us. "Please, do sit down."

Spencer waits for me to sit, then he does the same.

I cross my legs and set my tablet on my lap. I'd brought it just in case I need to take notes or bash this guy over the head. The latter seems unlikely.

Desmond Rademaker isn't what I expected. I've heard of him but never knew much about him including what he looks like. He has short gray hair, brown eyes, and a smattering of wrinkles, mostly around his eyes. I've never been great at guessing ages, but I feel confident in pegging him at his early sixties.

He folds his hands on the desktop. "What can I do for you two this morning?"

Spencer remains calm as he meets the big guy's gaze. "Tabitha and I need to take this week off. My family needs me, and I need Tabitha."

My heart just skipped a beat. He needs me. I had no idea.

Desmond Rademaker stares intently at Spencer. "Explain to me why I should give you a week's vacation after less than one month on the job."

Oh, shit. He's going to fire us both.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Spencer

Desmond Rademaker doesn't move a muscle, seeming not even to blink or breathe. He stares directly at me with such intensity that I need to fight the urge to tell him to say something or sod off. Tabitha seems outwardly calm, but I recognize the way her lids have tightened just enough to create minuscule wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

"Well, Spencer?" says the man who holds my career in his hand. "Why should I give you extended leave?"

"You hired me to do a job, and I've done it very well. I was the hardest working risk analyst at the London office, which is why I was transferred here. I've cleaned up the risk analysis team without firing a single person."

He goes on simply staring at me.

I resist the urge to loosen my tie. "If you're going to sack me, let's get it over with right now."

"You're practically begging for a pink slip, aren't you?"

"No. And I'm not defending my record either. You must know what sort of job I've done here, so I have nothing else to say on the matter. Give me the holiday time or don't."

"Why do you want this extra time off?"

I suppose he does have the right to know. "My brother is getting married, but he seems to be suffering from an anxiety attack about the whole thing. My sister called me a few days ago, begging me to come home and help our brother."

"You're close with your family, eh?"

"Very close. We've endured our fair share of hardship, but we never let that dampen our spirits."

Rademaker leans back in his chair, and his stoic expression softens. "I have a brother too, so I know how you feel. Family is very important to me, as I'm sure it is for you too."'

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