Page 3 of Wild Desire

Killian growled. "I don't."

I pulled my hand from his. "I couldn't agree more." But then my heart paused for a different reason. I needed the money. "But I agreed to help out, and it would be good for my new business."

"What business is that?"

"I'm starting a personal-assistant business at the resort. If a guest needs something, I'll provide it."

His eyes flashed with heat, and I was quick to add, "If they forgot a hairbrush or need a dress for an event, they can ask me for help."

"When will you be at my disposal?"

I sighed. "I have to handle this event, and then I'm all yours. Do you need something in the meantime?"

I hated to be at his beck and call, but that was literally the job, and I couldn't believe the amount of money he was willing to pay me. Apparently, it was the equivalent salary of his current personal assistant, Riley. I could use the money, so I'd suck up my pride and do whatever he needed.

The kids had teased me at school because my mom worked as a maid at the resort. It rankled that I was a servant for someone with more means than me, but hopefully one day, I'd be the boss and have people working for me. I just had to suck it up for now.

"I want to go back to my room."

I looked up as someone approached the podium. "Can you wait until after the speeches? I'm sure your cousin Walker will want you to be here for this."

Killian's eyes softened, and he nodded.

"As soon as he's done talking, I'll get you out of here."

"Thank you," Killian said so softly; I wasn't sure I'd heard him right.

After answering the caterer's questions, I moved to the back of the room. I wasn't a guest. I knew my place. I'd always be the one working the event.

I tried not to get down about my place in life, but I couldn't forget where I came from. To most people, I'd always be the maid's daughter. No matter how hard I worked, I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to shake that image and step into the successful business-owner role. Sometimes it felt like a role I played at instead of owned.

I focused on Walker's speech about meeting his daughter and his gratitude for the agency's assistance in making that happen. By the time he was finished talking, my eyes were stinging. I wondered how Killian felt, hearing that story.

Addison and Walker embraced, along with Dakota, while I crossed the room to Killian. The sooner I got him out of here, the sooner I could get back to my responsibilities.

I handed him the crutches, and he tucked them under his arms. He leaned his weight onto them as we slowly made our way across the room. The guests hovered around Walker and Addison and the donation table.

"No one will notice that we're leaving," Killian said simply when we were in the empty hallway outside the event room.

"I'm sure Walker and Addison are pleased you came." I wondered if he would have returned for the event if he hadn't been injured.

"Are you happy I'm home?" Killian asked.

The question was an odd one because we weren’t close. "I'm ambivalent."

"Ambivalent, huh?" Killian stumbled on the carpet, and I moved to wrap an arm around his back, holding him steady until he got a better grip on his crutches.

Right now, I was feeling anything but ambivalent. His body was hard, lined with muscles from his frequent runs down the mountain and his workout regimen. He clearly took care of himself.

When I moved away from him, my body hummed with desire from the proximity. I was hoping the silly teenage crush had dissipated with time, but it didn't seem like it had.

"I can make it to the elevator," Killian said gruffly, and I wondered if he was embarrassed that he needed this kind of assistance.

At the elevator, I waited while Killian leaned his weight on one arm and pushed the Up button with the other.

"What kind of assistance will you need while you're home?" I asked in my best professional voice. I could do this. I could keep my distance and not think about how much I was attracted to him.

The door popped open, and we stepped inside the empty space.

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