Theo looked at her strangely. “I was thinking more along the lines of the boss.”
Oh. “Nah, too many rules to follow.”
Theo walked closer. “You have something right...” He pointed to her chin.
“What? Here?” Amber swiped at her face self-consciously. Seriously, why did this man always make her feel so awkward? She dug deep for Marilyn. “Why don’t you show me?” she purred, blinking up at him.
Theo held her chin in his hand, much as she had Savannah’s earlier, and inspected her mouth closely. He was so close she could have leaned forward and brushed against his chest. His fingers were firm on her chin. She inhaled deeply. Leather and sandalwood and man. It was surprisingly earthy and entirely delicious. Amber’s breath stuttered. “Chocolate,” he said.
Amber jerked her chin away. “I was eating a brownie,” she muttered. “You know, chocolate and caffeine? How normal people get through the day.”
Theo let go of her chin and stepped back, and she could breathe normally again. “I wanted to thank you for earlier.”
“You’re welcome. It was too good of an opportunity to passup.” She shrugged, pleased in spite of herself. “You really do need help. That was a perfect PR moment, and you almost blew it.”
“The job is still open.” He raised an eyebrow. “Would you like it?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes, but I have conditions.”
Theo nodded. “I assumed you would. Name them.”
“I want my first two weeks’ pay on my first day.” That would cover Val’s college applications and the SAT test, and anything else she would need, plus cover her late bills, and she could put some money down for the collection agency.
“What? Why? That’s absurd. We’re a government office. I can’t just pay you up front.”
“So you can’t change your mind and fire me before then.”
“Fine.” The twitching of his eyelid fascinated Amber. The cool, calm, and collected mayor did get hot and bothered, just not by the usual means. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” She thought. “I want a...a bonus if you're reelected." Amber's tone was firm, but she was shaking inside. Now she was just poking the bear. “A thousand dollars.”
“Done.”
Amber’s jaw dropped. “D-done? You agree to pay me a grand in November?”
He smiled slightly, no dimples in sight. “I would have offered you more. Next time, start higher.” He stepped back and straightened his immaculate tie. “Are we done?”
She narrowed her eyes. “One more thing: I don’t cook, so don’t get any ideas.”
Theo paused on his way to the door. "I very much doubt you have anything I would want to eat. Is there anything else?”
Amber smiled slowly. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Theo sighed. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Chapter Six
On Monday morning,Amber rang the doorbell of Theo’s house and tried not to fidget. Theo had asked her to meet him at his house at eight o’clock sharp because he had an early meeting and he wasn’t going straight to the office.
She checked her watch impatiently. She was only a few minutes late, but she was prepared to explain that it was her car’s fault.
Johnny had managed to get her started again, but Betty, as she affectionately called her car, had done that sickly sputter thing again this morning when she started her. She wasn’t that old, but she had been a lemon since the day Amber bought her. Amber was sure she needed something in her engine replaced.
She lifted her hand to knock on the door again.
“You’re late.”
She jumped and turned around to look at the man who had snuck up behind her. And continued to look. Theo stood before her, bare chested and panting slightly. It figured the mayor was a runner. One of her least favorite things to do. What was the point of running if no one was chasing you? She could, however,appreciate the sight in front of her. From the neck down, perhaps, to avoid the scowl on his face.
