A Perfect Match: (Raining Romance Series) Read Free

swallowed hard when his expression grew dark.  He slammed his fist down on his desk. His words came out in a growl.  “You ill-prepared twit!” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm.  “Does this office look like a supply closet to you?”
    Jaslyn was speechless.  One second the hot-blooded Mr. Birkner seemed approachable and flirty, the next distant and combative.  And possibly insane. 
    “Answer me, damn it!”
    She sat unblinking, staring as he towered over her.  Silently she watched him snatch up the phone receiver from its cradle and punch the button marked intercom.  He snapped, “My office. Now.”
    In just a matter of seconds, a short man with a slight build flung open the door.  He didn’t seem to notice Jaslyn.  All of his attention was focused on the angry man behind the desk.  “What’s wrong, Rhein? Did the hospital call? Is Sahara worse?”
    His blustery movements and the intense concern in his voice tugged at Jaslyn’s heart strings.  A jolt of empathy prompted her to speak.
    “Is she the one I’m replacing?”
    Based on Birkner’s reaction, one would have thought she had asked him to murder his mother.
    His icy words, ground out between gritted teeth, turned her blood cold.  “Replace Sahara? No one can ever fucking replace her!”
    Jaslyn couldn’t suppress a shiver.  “I—I only meant—”
    “Michael, get her out of here.  Call those idiots at the temp agency, and tell them to send someone else.”
    Jaslyn attempted to stand, but Michael held up his hand.  “Please, stay seated.”
    He turned his attention to the fuming CEO, placing a hand on his shoulder.  She observed the comforting gesture, deducing they were friends as well as colleagues.  “There’s no one else to send, Rhein.  You’ve blown through every temp agency in the area in the last two weeks, rejecting fourteen different temps.  Jaslyn Scarpa is your last hope.  She is the only available administrative assistant qualified to fill in for Sahara.  It’s in the best interest of the company that you make an effort to work with her.”
    The CEO visibly exhaled, raking his fingers through his hair.  “I cannot do it, Michael.”
    “Why not?”
    “For starters, her sunshiny disposition is distasteful to my current frame of mind.  She is ill-prepared, coming in here without pen or paper or even a laptop. How am I to dictate a letter when she has nothing to take dictation with?  And she talks back, spouting off ridiculous proverbs and saying she is here to replace Sahara.  She is not a good fit for me or my company.”
    Jaslyn bit the inside of her cheek but couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out.  “ She has a name, albeit unimportant.”
    Michael furrowed his brow at his boss.  Confusion played across his face.  “What the hell’s going on here? Why wouldn’t her name be important?”
    Rhein shook his head.  “Do you see what I mean?  More back talk.  Insolence.  Insubordination.  I will not have it.”  He turned on his heel.  “I need coffee.  When I get back, she better be gone.”
    Again, Jaslyn started to stand.  Again, Michael motioned for her to sit back down.
    “Miss Scarpa, you’ll have to excuse Rhein’s—Mr. Birkner’s behavior.  He’s under a great deal of stress at the moment.”
    She nodded.  “I assume much of it has to do with Sahara.  I noticed the flashes of pain in his eyes when you mentioned her.”
    “Yes, she’s very ill.”
    “I figured as much.  Most of my assignments involve covering for those on medical leave.  Beth at Woman-Power said this job was to last six weeks.  Is that still the case?”
    “No.  There’s a very real possibility your assignment could be indefinite.  Without a miracle, Sahara will die.  Soon.”
    Jaslyn gasped.  “Oh.  I’m so sorry.  No wonder Mr. Birkner is so upset.  Has she been his employee for very long?”
    A sad smile formed at the corners of his mouth.  “She’s not just an employee.  She