Page 39

Jessica

New jobs were always difficult to start. Just walking in always brought intense nerves. Trying to learn the lay of the land took a few days so by the end of the first week, I’d always been exhausted.

But at least when I walked into the Blackwell Group, I felt a strange sense of pride.

I remained in the waiting room, uncertain what to expect. I had my briefcase with me, including a few additional resumes. I’d snagged several pens and my sketchpad for possible designs.

Was I nervous? Well, of course. Especially after the rather horrifying weekend I’d experienced. He’d insisted I wait until Wednesday to come into Blackwell and I’d almost lost my mind.

But I’d obeyed him.

The thought almost brought an inappropriate giggle.

Xander had remained right by my side, keeping me warm and safe when the police had come to arrest Sam. He’d been close to catatonic by then, only whispering his wife’s name. I still found it so hard to believe he’d been the one to supply information to Dorn. What he hadn’t expected was for Dorn to play both sides. At least Dorn’s fake arrest had started an investigation. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but it would appear the pending charges were legitimate.

He might do some jail time.

Sindom sales had plummeted after the news hit the airwaves the day before. Meanwhile, it had been the opposite with Blackwell. Their sales were soaring, their stocks as well.

What had been almost saddest of all was seeing Elizabeth being arrested on the local news, taken from her home. My guess was she’d never intended on hurting anyone.

I was getting antsy when the door opened to the reception area and Xander walked out, a more than evil grin on his face. I stood, my legs a little shaky. How could that be after the night of passion we’d shared?

“Welcome, Ms. Waldrop. We are very happy to have you working with us.” He stretched out his hand for a shake, winking when he did.

“You are truly an evil man,” I whispered.

“I guess you would know. Then again, you might find out I’m so much more. Are you ready to see your new office?”

“I thought I’d be working in the production facility.”

“Oh, you’ll shift your time back and forth, but you’ll need an office here. Come on. Let’s get you set up.”

As I trailed behind him, I could tell everyone knew we were close. They weren’t impolite, just offering knowing smiles. There was warmth in the air, which was something I hadn’t expected.

He led me down a beautifully decorated hallway and into a stunning office. I had my own picture window with a gorgeous view. The desk was massive, much bigger than I needed, complete with three monitors and an incredible Mac computer.

On the credenza was a bouquet of roses.

I gave him a saucy look and he threw up his hands. “Not from me. Not this time anyway.”

“Hmmm…” I dropped my purse on the desk, gently placing my briefcase on the floor and heading toward the incredible roses. I took a deep whiff and noticed the card. Why were my fingers shaking? It was silly to be nervous about receiving flowers.

When I pulled the card from the envelope, all I could do was smile.

“Who are they from?” he asked.

Oh, wow. I was pleasantly surprised, a little flutter of my heart reminding me I’d once been a little girl looking up to a powerful man.

“Are you jealous?” I purred.

“Maybe,” he growled and sauntered closer. “Confess or you will be punished.”

“Here?”

He glanced from side to side. “No better place.”

“Not on my first day, buddy.”

“That’s sir to you. Remember your place.”

“Ha.” I reread the card and smiled. “They’re from my dad. He’s proud of me.”

“I’ll be damned,” he said as he shifted his attention away. “He extended an olive branch.”

“What?” My father had called over the weekend and we’d talked for almost an hour. He’d even indulged me with a couple of tamer stories so as not to horrify me. I felt closer to the man than I had since I was very small.

“I told you he’d come around.”

“This is all about the chat you had with him. Isn’t it?”

Xander shrugged. “Let’s just say he took a tiny piece of advice when we saw each other.”

“You mean in town?” I grinned.

“In town. He even told me to take care of you.” He returned to the door, closing it behind him. When he advanced again, he had an entirely different look on his face. “And that’s what I intend on doing.”

I’d had enough of Xander’s kisses before that I shouldn’t swoon when he dragged me onto my toes, pulling me against the heat of his body, but it was almost impossible not to.

He was just too sinfully delicious.

He crushed his lips over mine, sliding his hand down to cup my bottom. The feel of his hard, throbbing cock pressing into my stomach instantly aroused me. As he swept his tongue inside, I rolled my arms around his shoulders, even tangling the fingers of one hand in his hair. I could do this for hours.

But we had work to do.

I was the one to push him away, licking my bottom lip as soon as I did.

“You won’t be able to deny me for long,” he said in his deep, husky tone.

“Who says I want to? Boss?”

“Sir,” he mused, cracking his hand on my bottom before backing away.

“You are such a bad man.”

“Mmm… You have no idea.”

I glanced from one side of the office to the other. “What now?”

“Now I’ll take you to the production site to meet your new team. Since they will be working under you, you’ll need to hit the ground running.”

“Are you serious?” In charge of the entire team? Now I was floored.

He lifted a single eyebrow. “I told you I never lie. Come on. Then I’ll take you to lunch.”

“A softie.”

“Don’t get used to it.” He laughed as he opened the door.

Meanwhile, I shivered. How did I end up here?

Oh, yes. I’d fallen hard for a very dark, twisted man.

Everything was suddenly perfect.

Two months later

Ugh. A board meeting. I hated them. This would be only my second in attendance, but I felt thoroughly inadequate even though I’d proven myself by keeping our designs and the production going after the loss of Elizabeth.

That didn’t mean I wasn’t a nervous wreck.

Life with Xander had been so interesting. He was all business at work, but at night? He was a wild man. At least it seemed his demons were starting to fade, which was why I’d never broached the subject of his birth parents again. If he wanted to fight to learn their identity, so be it.

But in my mind, it didn’t change the man.

Sadly, while we’d been passionate, our dark proclivities hadn’t been fulfilled since the night in the park. I had a feeling he was worried I’d freak.

I checked the time. Only five minutes to go. I had the numbers ready, the timing for the next release locked down. I was prepared.

Then why did I feel like I was going to throw up a little in my mouth?

The knock on the door brought another groan. I prayed there were no hidden issues.

When my assistant walked in, a priority envelope in her hand, I narrowed my eyes. “What’s this?”

“Unknown sender.” She had a spark in her eyes.

“Huh. Thank you.”

After she placed it on my desk, I stared at it for a full two minutes. Two minutes of the precious five lost. Finally, I tore open the envelope, finding only a black note card with gold writing.

I sat back in my chair, swiveling it back and forth.

You’re invited to a hunt.

Where magical things might be a front.

Use your wits, use your feminine wiles.

And you’ll make it through the game in style.

But if you lose, you’ll face the wrath.

Of the devil as he stops your path.

Remember… No risk, no reward.

I laughed out loud. The rhyme was crude, but effective. The hunt was set for later that night. I guess it was a good thing I’d purchased a few masks of my own.

Maybe the hunted would become the hunter.

After all, every cunning, mischievous action was fair in love and war.

Right?

The End