On my way to grab a pitcher of water and ice, I round a corner and collide with a brick wall. At least that’s what it feels like. Two hands reach out to steady me as I regain my balance.
Then my gaze travels up, and up, and up. Amused blue eyes stare down at me. Dirty blond hair, tall, broad… handsome. Stranger. I’ve never seen this man before.
Taking a step back, I demand, “What are you doing in here?”
One corner of his mouth lifts in a casual smirk. “I work here.”
“No you don’t.”
“Hmm, pretty sure I do. Is this Bane Modeling Management?.”
“Well, yes,” I sputter. “What’s your position here?”
“I'm Scott's new assistant. He’s a photographer.”
“I know who Scott is.”
The man holds out his palm. “My name’s Devlin. Devlin Doyle.”
Hesitantly, I shake his hand. At first, I assume he’s a plant. That Cian found some Irishman to take a job here and keep an eye on me. But why do that at all, and especially after all these months. That doesn’t make sense.
So, the more reasonable explanation would be Devlin’s exactly what he appears to be. An Irish-American, with noaffiliation to my husband or his gang, who now works at Bane Modeling Management.
Cian’s cousin owns this place, so if he wanted to keep tabs on me that would be easy enough. Not that I think my husband’s the spying type. He simply goes over the top at times in an effort to keep me safe. Which I appreciate—mostly.
“And you are?” Devlin prompts.
I shake myself out of my meandering thoughts. “Ravenna O’Rourke.”
“Nice to meet you.” His gaze appreciatively flits down my body. The fact that he’s checking me out makes me uncomfortable.
“Excuse me.” I move past him, going about my work.
Thankfully, with one last lingering glance at me, he leaves to go do his own job.
I release a heavy sigh. The last thing I need at work is a giant, flirty Celt who reminds me entirely too much of my husband. Sure there are plenty of gorgeous male models around every day, but I’ve never been tempted to spare them more than a glance.
This Devlin fellow, however, makes me uneasy. I think it’s his striking resemblance to Cian.
CHAPTER 40
Ravenna
“Some little bee told me that you have a particular liking for Earl Grey lattes. So cheers.” Devlin holds out a drink cup from the coffee shop around the corner, presumably of the beverage he just described.
When I don’t take it from him, he sighs. “Look, this is my attempt to apologize for the other day. I think I came on a bit too strong. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You’re a beautiful woman and it’s impossible not to notice, but that’s no excuse. I obviously over stepped. I’m sorry. Please take this latte as a peace offering, Ms. O’Rourke.”
“Mrs. O’Rourke,” I correct him.
His brows lift. “I see. Again, my apologies.”
“Thanks.” To be polite, I take the offered beverage and set it on my desk. There’s no way I’m drinking from that cup. Call me paranoid, but he could have spiked with anything from Rohypnol to a deadly poison.
No thank you.
Devlin grins, then straightens to his full height. “Got to get back to work. See you around,Mrs. O’Rourke.”
I wave an unenthusiastic goodbye.
