The Vampire and the Vixen Read Free Page A

With ironclad willpower, and her fingers clenched around the seat of her chair, she managed to avoid looking at Rafe.
    They took a quick break when dinner arrived to load their plates, then resumed. Although Kelsey had been looking forward to a slice of her favorite deep-dish pizza all day, the knot in her stomach rendered the thick, cheese-filled pie nearly tasteless.
    At eight o’clock, Rafe tossed down his pen. “Okay, folks, that will do it for the night. I think we’re off to a good start here. If you need anything, let me know. During the day, when I’m not here, your first line of contact is Kelsey.”
    She ignored how the sound of her name on his lips caused her legs to quiver. And she ignored the glare Ryan sent in her direction.
    “If neither of us are here, leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Anything else?”
    When no one replied in the affirmative, Rafe nodded. “Then have a great night everyone.”
    In small groups, pairs, or singly, the conference room emptied until only Rafe, Tracy, and Kelsey were left.
    Tracy stood, then looked down at Kelsey when she remained sitting. “Are you coming?”
    “In a minute. I need to—” her gaze flicked to Rafe, whose head was bent over his work as he wrote on the papers in front of him—“do something first.”
    Tracy looked at Rafe, too. “As soon as you’re done, I need to talk to you about something.”
    “I’ll come find you when I’m finished.” With no one else in the room, Rafe had to have heard their conversation, but he didn’t look up from his task.
    “Okay. Don’t be too long. It’s important.”
    As soon as Tracy left, Rafe set down his pen. “What’s on your mind, Kelsey?”
    Why did it sound so damn…good…when he said her name? Toe-curling, knee-weakening good. “Why did you give me the Assistant Director’s job?”
    If the question surprised him, he didn’t show it. “You have the most experience. You were in line for the promotion.”
    “Ryan was in line for it, too. So why did you pick me? If it’s because of the other night…”
    Rafe quirked an eyebrow. “The other night?”
    Her face heated, but she raised her chin. “I don’t want people thinking I got this job because of…what happened between us at the fundraiser.”
    As the daughter of a well-known District Attorney she’d grown up with people having the impression she was handed anything she wanted in life. She’d decided on a career far outside her father’s sphere of influence, and intended to make something of herself on her own merits. Not because she had a famous father. And not because she’d made out with the boss.
    He sat back in the padded leather chair and steepled his hands. A gold signet ring adorned his left pinkie. His black sweater stretched tight across his broad shoulders and chest, outlining well-defined muscles. “Ahh. Is that what you think?”
    Kelsey stared at the white board behind him. The faint shadow of another meeting’s previously erased notes shone in the glare of the florescent lights. “I don’t know what to think.”
    “Look, I chose you for the position based on your job performance and the recommendation Arthur gave me. I told him my decision last week. Ask him yourself.”
    She folded her arms across her chest. “You don’t know anything about my job performance.”
    “I do from your personnel file.”
    “Oh.” She should walk away. Decline the job. But she’d wanted it for so long. Been working for it for so long. Could she believe him? Trust him?
    More importantly, how in the world would she be able to work with him when she was so…aware of him? The tension zinging between them was a palpable thing in the room.
    She nibbled her lip. “People saw us. They’ll think the only reason I got the job was because—”
    “Then prove them wrong.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Prove you’re the best person for this job. I gave it to you because of your qualifications. Now show me, and