Page 39 of Dante
Caleb had called and said he was stopping by later to have dinner with her, and she had wanted to say no. While she could pretend with anyone else, he was the exception. He was going to realize that something was wrong.
When Donald came waltzing in with his cheerful smile and some pastries, she welcomed his uncomplicated presence and accepted the gift.
"He's not in yet?"
"No." Picking out a strawberry surprise, she took a tentative bite. She had eaten a plain bagel and drunk a gallon of tea, and her stomach was settling. "But I must point out that you don't have an appointment. If you're here, with this bribe." She pointed to the bakery box and lifted her brows. "I'm sorry to tell you, it's not going to work."
"And here I was thinking we were friends." He flashed her a charming smile as he leaned on the desk and helped himself to a puff pastry.
"Oh, we are. And these are very good."
"The best. Angie's from across the street. She's a friend of mine and offers me the best of everything. I went in there especially for you."
"I'd be naive to believe that."
"You wound me pretty lady." He admired the purple sweater type dress she was wearing and the way it looked against her skin. He would have pressed his point with her and asked her to go out with him, but figured it was a lost cause. A pity, he thought sadly. He also knew she was out of his league. Too classy and too beautiful. It was regrettable. He could really use a woman of class and beauty on his arm.
Sighing deeply and meaning it, he picked up a napkin and leaned over.
"You have something on the left side of your mouth."
"Crumbs or powdery sugar?"
"Both." He grinned. "And I would not be a gentleman if I just let it slip."
Dante chose that very moment to step into the office. Into what looked like a very intimate setting. He felt the careful shield he had erected over his passions crack and shatter. For a second he could swear he was seeing through a red haze. A primal urge to leap across the room and grab the man by the throat had to be forcibly throttled. He had always been amused when he saw men acting in jealousy, thinking of it as a waste of time and emotion. Now it was upon him in full force, and he wanted to commit murder.
"Has the office taken a holiday?" His icy tone had the two people jolting. Donald straightened up slowly and Courtney felt her heart hammering inside her chest. He looked positively murderous, golden eyes boring into hers, before swinging to Donald. "Well?"
"I came by to see if you could pencil me in. I need to discuss."
"Call and schedule an appointment like normal people. I don't appreciate you using our relationship to see if you can slip in any time you want to and flirting with my assistant."
"I was just."
"Ms. Vernon, in my office. Now." He did not break stride, his long legs eating up the space.
"Christ! I'm sorry," Donald was clearly agitated, a frown etching his brow. "I've seen him angry before, but never like this. Will you be okay?"
She had already grabbed her device and ordered herself to be calm.
"I'll be fine." She offered him a reassuring smile even though she was quaking inside. "Just go."
She took her time walking into his office, her own anger burning. How dare he speak to them like that!
"Shut the door."
When she did, he rounded on her.
"Is that what you do? Sleep with one man and then send out an invitation to another?"
Anger robbed her of speech, and she simply stared at him.
"I don't appreciate that kind of behavior." He stopped and narrowed his eyes as she marched over to him. "What." The slap was rough enough to have his face snapping to one side. It was his turn to be shocked. Lifting a hand to the sting on his jaw, he stared at her in silence. Anger gave way to reluctant admiration as she faced him, eyes flashing, lips parted.
"I don't give a rat's ass if you fire me right now. How dare you talk to me that way? Donald was just wiping crumbs from my face like a normal human being. And even if I wanted to sleep with him, that's none of your damn business. You might sign my paycheck, but you don't own me. Is that clear?"
He rubbed his jaw absently and filed away the fact that she had an impressive right hook and a formidable temper.
