Page 16 of Dante
"Does he know you're knocked up?" He asked her mildly, lifting a brow at the dirty look she sent him.
"No." Pushing away from the counter, she went to turn off the flame.
"Just saying."
"Oh shut up."
"And keeping it real." He had time to dodge the potato she threw at his head.
He wasn't in the mood and should never have agreed to the dinner in the first place. But after the incident in his office with Magda and his new assistant, he felt as if he owed her. So, he had agreed to have dinner at her place. Now he regretted it. And was wondering when it was a good time to escape.
He knew she was hoping he would spend the night, which was not going to happen.
"Darling? More wine?"
"No." He shook his head and placed a hand over his glass. They were dining on her terrace and the view was spectacular. Spread out in front of them were lights from the towering buildings of the city. The sky was a clear velvet blue, peppered with stars and the moon a pale orb in the middle of it.
"I'm so happy you agreed to have dinner with me."
"You were very persuasive." He forced a smile. She was clingy and possessive, two things he tried to stay away from, not tomention popping into his office on a whim. The reminder of what his assistant had said to her had his lips curving in a genuine smile. The woman had spunk.
As if reading his mind, she picked up her wineglass and took a sip. She had planned the evening carefully and had dismissed her maid. The beef wellington was perfect as well as the baby potatoes and the wild vegetables. She was wearing a new dress; the raw blue silk complemented her ivory skin to perfection. She had dabbed some of her signature scent on strategic places on her body.
She was willing to forgive him for not jumping to her rescue when that bitch he had working for him insulted her. The nerve!
"Where did you find that assistant?" She asked casually. "I had no idea that Ms. Carstairs was leaving. She's been with you for so long."
He shrugged and was reminded that he had not realized the woman was leaving or remembered. "Her sister is ailing, and she wanted to go and take care of her."
Using the tip of her talon-like nail, she circled the rim of the glass. "But is that woman suitable? She's so young."
His thick brows lifted. "I'm aware of her age."
"I thought you said you never liked to hire people of a certain age. You prefer mature women."
"This one comes highly recommended and she's very efficient." He picked up his wine and eyed her. "Is there a question in there somewhere?"
She shook her head and offered a charming smile. "She was very rude."
A look of impatience passed over his face, warning her that she was too close to the edge. "She was doing her job." He shoved back the chair. "Thanks for dinner."
"Darling--" She rose in agitation. "I was hoping you would stay."
"Another time perhaps." Crossing to her, he pecked her on the cheek absently. "I'll see you tomorrow."
She waited until he had left before hurling the expensive wine glasses against the wall.
Chapter 5
At first it felt as if she was dreaming. The buzzing sounded as if it was inside her head, cutting into her brain. And it continued. Muttering to herself, she opened her eyes slowly, blinking as the light from the room pierced the darkness. She surfaced slowly and realized that it was her phone.
Who the hell could be calling her at this hour? Swiveling her head, she looked at the clock. At damn near six in the morning on a Saturday? Grabbing up the phone, she stared at the LED and felt her heart pounding. Work!
Fumbling slightly, she pushed the icon and answered.
"Where the hell is the Bailey file?"
Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the headboard and gave herself credit for not sighing or cussing. The man was impossibly rude and incredibly impatient. She also had to bite her tongue as she was about to remind him what time and day it was.
