Page 23 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘You should have saved some of those posters from Dom’s stable to nail tothisdoor!’ Carmen half joked.

‘Excuse me?’

‘The whole building should be condemned.’ She looked at him challengingly. ‘It’s a dump.’

‘I’m sorry if thefreeboard and accommodation isn’t up to your usual standard,’ he clipped, and then added sarcastically, ‘It would seem I’ve wasted your morning.’

‘You haven’t,’ Carmen said, not remotely perturbed by his haughtiness. ‘I’d love to accept the job. But I’m unable to start until tomorrow.’

He didn’t so much as blink—just pressed his lips together as she spoke on.

‘If I’m expected to sleep here tonight I’ll need to clean the bedroom—and also the bathroom.’ She looked around the summer kitchen doubtfully. ‘As well as in here.’

Elias hadnevermet anyone like her. She was tiny—like a little Jack Russell that didn’t know its own size, or rather couldn’t care less. But, dammit, in this instance he knew she was right. The place had been a dump even five years ago...

‘There’s no need for that. I’ll call my housekeeper and have her send some staff over.’

‘Good,’ Carmen said. ‘And could you ask that she brings fresh linen? I don’t believe my predecessor changed the sheets.’

‘Fine. I assume you’re accepting the position?’

‘I am,’ Carmen said, and then swallowed. ‘Thank you for the opportunity.’

‘You’re so welcome,’ he responded, and gave her a saccharine smile.

But before he headed off Elias knew there was something else that had to be said.

‘One more thing...’ He looked right at her. ‘We need to address the other night.’

Carmen felt the breath still in her lungs. She had honestly thought he hadn’t recognised her, or that he’d forgotten. But then again, how could he have? They had stared at each other, assessed each other, just as they were doing now...

‘What about it?’ Carmen asked.

‘I keep my LA life very separate from my life here.’

She guessed he was referring to his date and the conversations she’d overheard.

‘At least, I do my level best to do so.’

‘I signed an NDA when I was employed by the venue,’ Carmen informed him. ‘So don’t worry—your secrets are safe...’ She looked at him. ‘Whatever they may be.’ She shrugged, as if she couldn’t even remember what had been said. ‘Do you have any more questions?’

‘Just the one.’ He glanced down at her T-shirt and then met her eyes again. ‘What does “NO BAILO” mean?’

It was the Californian sun hitting her face that set her cheeks on fire, surely? The sun and a fractured night spent at the bus stop, to ensure she made the early-morning interview. That was what had her feeling a littlealtered...

It could not be the feeling of his eyes dusting her body and then returning to her gaze.

Nor could it be the memory of his naked torso this morning...

It was the sun, Carmen told herself. Because it couldn’t be anything else.

She’d never known anything else.

And so she dragged her mind back to the question.

‘It means,’ Carmen said, somehow still holding his gaze, ‘that I don’t dance.’

Though Elias nodded, there was something in his eyes that told her he believed otherwise...

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