Page 93 of Royally Tempted

“Nothing like that, Ms. Holloway, we’re just surprised to see a resume like yours in the pile.” His eyes narrowed at me.

“That said, the jobdoeshave duties that need being done, however overqualified you may be.”

He arched a brow at me meaningfully, and I nodded quickly.

“Oh, absolutely,” I said quickly, smiling.

“I’m perfectly aware of the position, sir, and I’m willing to start wherever I can.”

He smiled darkly, his eyes flashing at me again, and I could haveswornI saw his eyes momentarily slip down over my bare, crossed, knees beneath the hem of my skirt before darting back to my face.

“Are you married, Arianna?”

I jerked my head toward Hunter, still standing by the window, quickly blinking at his question.

“I’m aware that you’re a ‘Miss’, but I know many women don’t take a last name these days.”

I shook my head. “No, sir.”

“Boyfriend?”

His quick follow-up threw me even more off center. Wasn’t this an oddly personal question for a professional interview like this?

But still, I shook my head again.

“No, sir.”

“Good,” he said, smiling darkly at me as his eyes flicked over me.

The fact that he didn’t follow it up with any sort of explanation left me hanging on the reason.

“Would you stand for a moment, Arianna?” Sean’s smooth voice from the sofa had my eyes darting to him, and then finding themselves being held by that steely gaze.

“Stand, Ms. Holloway.”

His voice was darker this time, and slightly edged with irritation, as if I hadn’t followed through quick enough.

This is some sort of mind game they’re doing with all the interviewees,I thought to myself. It was strange, but I knew it had to be some sort of test to see how potential applicants reacted to demands and pressure.

Well,thatI could do without a problem.

I stood readily, smoothing my skirt down.

Sean smiled.

“Good girl.”

The flush came roaring into my cheeks at the words, a shiver tingling down my back at the velvety way he’d said it almost under his breath.

He nodded, smiling at me as his eyes very obviously dipped over my body. And yet, it wasn’t creepy, and I didn’t feel like he was being inappropriate, despite howveryinappropriate this was for an interview. His eyes moved over me again, and all I could think of were those words.

Good girl.

Yeah, I wasn’t creeped out at all. In fact, I found myselfexcitedby his lingering looks; almostproudthat he seemed to approve of what he saw.

His eyes moved back to mine, locking my gaze for another minute, sending a shiver through me before a cough brought my attention back to Damien.

“Turn around for us, Ms. Holloway.”

---