Don’t forget about me, here in the real world, Kat texted.Back before you know it, Brigit texted back.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Taylor.Gym before dinner?Brigit didn’t want to leave the compound.Where?she texted back.
Lower level. I’ll swing by your bedroom 5:45.
Surprised and relieved to learn Mitus Mansion had a gym, she opened her French doors leading to the patio and stepped out back. The chilly breeze caressed her heated cheeks and she inhaled a Zen-like breath.
As vibrant streaks of sienna and fuchsia infused a lapis sky, the fiery yellow ball hung low on the horizon. From the lack of humidity it must’ve been a crisp fall day, but the last ten hours had been consumed by everything Mitus.
She’d learned a lot her first day, the worst being that MobiCom, the wireless and mobile products behemoth down the road, was making a play for Francesco.This is bad.Grunting her frustration, she dialed Seth’s number.
He answered on the first ring. “Brigit, congratulations! I’m thrilled you took the position.”
She thought of her trashed home, the disturbing placement of her lingerie on her bed, and the terrifying message on her mirror. “Under the circumstances, it made the most sense.”
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to resist Colton’s charm or his beautiful home.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “How was day one?”
“Charm? The man’s a workhorse. I’ll email you my list of clients requiring kid gloves, but you do know this situation is temporary, right?”
“Thank you, Brigit. This is a great win for the firm. Let me know if you—”
“Need anything.” A rueful smile touched her lips. “Just don’t give away my office.”
She hung up and did a three-sixty, ensuring the grounds were quiet. Confirming she was alone, she dialed the district attorney’s number. Though her pulse pounded in her temples, she needed to know Vinny Ray’s whereabouts.
“Good afternoon, Jim Sausalito’s office,” said the young woman.
Brigit followed the cobblestone path toward the guesthouse. “This is Eve Francesco. Is Jim available?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Francesco, but Mr. Sausalito had a family emergency. He’s on personal leave. Can I take a message?”
“Is Peggy there?”
“His assistant is on maternity leave. Can I get your number?”
Brigit didn’t like leaving messages as Eve, but in this case, she had no choice. After providing her contact information and request for inmate status, she retreated inside and collected the shopping bags. Since she’d no intention of leaving the compound for bras and panties, she was grateful for Colton’s thoughtful gesture.
As she headed out of her office, she abruptly stopped. She had two choices. Either trek through the backyard, up the porch stairs, into the kitchen, down the hallway and upstairs to her bedroom, or pass through his office.Don’t be ridiculous. Just go in.
She stopped in the doorway. Colton sat at his desk with his back to her.
Hours ago, he’d removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. She’d tried not to notice how his white dress shirt clung to his sinewy chest. And she tried not to imagine removing that pink tie, unbuttoning his shirt and running her fingers down his sexy, muscular torso. But she’d failed, and her cheeks had heated from the erotic thoughts. Hopefully he hadn’t noticed.
Colton’s hair rested on his collar and she wanted to finger his unruly waves. Her body stirred with thoughts that had nothing to do with business.Stop.Shaking her head, she tapped on the doorframe.
He swiveled around. “You don’t have to knock.”
“Day one, you know.” With shopping bags in hand, she paused near his desk. “I haven’t found the Mitus Conglomerate instruction manual and I’m flying without a net.”
His gaze floated over her face. “I’ll catch you.” His voice dropped, the husky timbre making her forget why she was standing there in the first place.
She cleared her throat. “I’m not going to fall.”
“Thanks for your efforts today, Brigit. I’m glad you’re on my team.”
His kind words made her chest tighten. “I was counting on you being a first-class jerk. Please stop proving me wrong.”
He smiled, but the spark quickly faded and his expression grew stern. “Just don’t ever deceive me.”
