“Apparently not. They even found some vision of my grandfather in his heyday.” His frown deepened. “A camera crew was waiting outside this building until thirty minutes before you pulled up. I thought they might’ve gone to hunt you down…” He gave a thankful grin. “Anyway, you’re safe. But you can bet they’ll be back and they won’t be gracious.”
Retrieving a key from her bag, Natalie crossed to her apartment’s front door. His protective instincts were laudable but clearly Alex hadn’t thought this through.
“Even if I move out of here, they could still corner me at work if they want to.”
“You don’t need to go to work.”
She stopped to slant her head at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’re on vacation. I organised it with Phil.”
Dumbfounded, she coughed out a humourless laugh. “Phil, now, is it?”
“He agreed that it’s best you take time off.”
She set her jaw.
Not tired, not compassionate. Now she was angry.
“Do I get any say in this? I mean, has anyone heard of dialing a mobile phone? I think you have my number.”
“I didn’t want to upset you when you had such a long drive to get through. You have enough on your mind.”
“An understatement,” she mumbled, threading her key into its lock.
He followed her inside, his tall masculine build looking out of place in her single bedroom unit. “For the time being, it’s best.”
Says Alexander Ramirez.
She tossed her keys on the hallstand and, her back to Alex, pressed her clasped hands to her waist.
She was ticked off that Alex had spoken with Phil without her consent, but it had gone beyond that. Her boss thought having her lay low for a while was a good idea. Phil wasn’t a pushover. He wouldn’t have agreed if he hadn’t been certain. Perhaps he thought the initial boost the publicity had given Phil’s might ultimately turn sour.
These days people wanted heroes more than ever. Given the perceived moral dilemma here—a man marrying one woman while getting another pregnant—potential customers might take a stand and look elsewhere for their property needs.
She owed her boss a great deal. And she hadn’t had a vacation in…was it two years? This minute she was exhausted, mentally, physically, totally spent.
Leaning against the wall, she heeled off her shoes.
Hell, why fight it? Maybe a few days off wasn’t such a bad idea.
Not wanting to give in too easily, she headed for the kitchen. “How long have you men decided I should take off?”
“Phil said to take as long as you need.”
Feeling suddenly chilled, she crossed and rubbed her arms. “He wants me back, right?”
“With a huge sale like you made yesterday?” She heard him grunt. “I don’t think that’s in dispute.”
“That sale had nothing to do with my ability.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself.” He followed her to the corner of the kitchen where she reached for the kettle. “I was seriously in the market and you negotiated like a true pro. You’d be an asset on anyone’s team. Including mine.”
She looked over her shoulder. A lazy smile was tugging on his mouth. This man couldn’t help being sexy if he tried.
She cocked an eyebrow. “I’m not in the market for another job.”
“Oh, in my case, our affiliation would be purely personal.”
When his arms ravelled around her, urging her to fully face him, half her fatigue melted away, to be replaced by far more inviting, provocative feeling. Still, she tried to look sternly at him. He got away with too much too easily.
She set her palms against his chest. “You’re doing a charm job on me again.”
“Is it working?” He nipped the sensitive shell of her ear and his warm breath stirred her flesh to goose bumps.
She sighed and her head rocked back. She was all out of fight.
“So where is this vacation taking place?”
“It’s a surprise?”
“All right. So what do I need?”
“A few changes of clothing. Some after-five gear.”
She quizzed eyes. “I thought we were going underground.” Hiding from the press.
His grin was crooked. “There’s all kinds of ways to dodge a bullet.”
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