The Vampire and the Vixen Read Free

at Rafe. His dark eyes watched her intently. Intimate secrets shone in the deep depths. His gaze dropped to her lips. Hers lowered to the faux wood grain of the table. She gulped.
    He remembered.
    A tingle shimmied down her spine. She remembered, too. Gentle but insistent hands. Firm lips. The heady flavor on his tongue. Languid heat flooded through her.
    “Did you two talk about what happened at the fundraiser?” Tracy muttered out of the corner of her mouth as she passed a stack of papers to Kelsey.
    She took the top packet and passed the rest to her left. “God, no. I haven’t talked to him, period.”
    Tracy eyed him.
    “Stop staring,” Kelsey hissed.
    Rafe cleared his throat and the room fell silent. “Let me begin by telling all of you how happy I am to be a part of this project. And thank you for meeting with me in the evening. As the nighttime director, I’ll be working nights, and I’ve already gotten into the habit of sleeping during the day.”
    A few chuckles met the statement.
    “So first things first. Sherry is going to take pizza orders.”
    The efficient assistant held a pen poised over the paper in front of her. “Okay, give them to me.” She jotted notes as those gathered around the table stated their preferences.
    Kelsey avoided looking at Rafe, instead keeping her gaze cemented to the packet in front of her. But she couldn’t avoid the scent of his aftershave lingering subtly in the room. Or how his very presence filled the small space and made her achingly aware of every move he made. She twitched when Sherry spoke his name.
    “Rafe? Anything special for you?”
    “Nope. Anything but garlic works for me, and it looks like we have that covered.”
    Beside her, Tracy stiffened. “Oh.”
    “What?” Kelsey whispered.
    “Nothing. I’ll tell you later.”
    “Okay, so let’s get started,” Rafe continued. “Just so we’re all on the same page here, I’d like to briefly go over what each of you has been doing on the project and what my expectations are for you in the future. I promise I won’t keep you here too late. I know many of you have families to get home to.”
    Appreciative nods and murmurs swept the group.
    “Kelsey?”
    She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt. “Yes, Mr. Alexander?” Could he hear the tremor in her voice?
    His lips quirked. “You’ve been working on developing programs for the new nighttime hours?”
    “Yes.”
    “Excellent. Let’s set up a time to discuss that further tomorrow or the next day. Also…” His gaze captured hers.
    And held it. For much longer than proper. Heat flooded through her. She wet dry lips. He tracked the involuntary gesture.
    Someone cleared their throat.
    “Since I won’t be here during the day.” Rafe went on as if he hadn’t been caught staring at her. “I’d like you to be my liaison with Arthur. Would you be able to adjust your schedule to be here from one to nine? If so, then you can step in as Assistant Director.”
    A thrill shot through her. “That shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “Excellent. I’ll get the necessary paperwork to HR.”
    “I didn’t think a decision had been reached about the assistant direction position,” Ryan said. He shot her a narrow-eyed look from across the table. It was no secret he’d also been hoping for the promotion.
    Rafe didn’t look up from his notes. “I just made one.”
    “I guess if you’re sleeping with the boss…” Ryan muttered.
    Kelsey stiffened. Apparently her behavior at the fundraiser hadn’t gone unnoticed. Her hands trembled as she tapped the papers on the table until all of the edges aligned. Did people really think that’s why she’d gotten the job? How could she blame them? More importantly, if that was the only reason Rafe had given it to her, she didn’t want it.
    The meeting continued around her in a blur. Luckily, she knew the ins and outs of the programs she’d developed like the back of her hand and was able to answer any questions directed her way.