Page 62 of Dare to Love Again

He put the car in gear and pulled out, reclaiming her hand with a firm squeeze before he commented, “This isn’t the best of neighborhoods. Do they have security in your building, cameras, or an alarm system at least?”

“There aren’t any cameras and the alarm system is outdated. When I first started, Mr. Shoemaker was getting bids on an upgrade. When he retired, Gerald put an end to that. His two divorces in five years have been a financial hit, which might explain his surly behavior, though he shouldn’t take it out on us. Or it could be from lack of sleep. The alarm has a hair trigger. It goes off several times a week, all false alarms. If it happens at night, the security company calls him. Lately, it’s been off most mornings when I come in.”

“I don’t like the sound of this, Esme. If he’s a jerk, and lax with his security and the safety of his employees, maybe you should think of looking elsewhere for work. Somewhere safer.”

“I’ve considered it. In fact, me and the new attorney have been dusting off our resumes. Something is up with Gerald. He’s changed drastically and not for the better, which doesn’t make for an enjoyable work environment.”

“I’ll put out some feelers.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Lass,” he replied, reaching over to capture her hand and bring it to his thigh. “If it keeps the worry off your pretty face and keeps that gorgeous body out of harm’s way, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do.”

With Finn, it didn’t sound like a line—she believed he meant every word. The shields around her heart melted further. If he kept this up, it would soon be laid bare, his for the taking. Something she swore would never happen again.

Lunch went by much too fast. The food was amazing. She had Fish Tacos of the Gods, which was tempura-battered local cod, chipotle cream, and their signature Pico de Gallo, while Finn ordered the short ribs with chilies and fresh cilantro. He was charming, attentive, and regaled her with stories of growing up in Ireland. True to his word, despite the crowded restaurant and the noontime traffic, he had her back to work on time.

Bonus—she got another kiss in parting before they left the car. And he held her hand again, something she liked a lot, as he walked her to the office door.

Mr. Reinhart was absent for the rest of the afternoon. It was the best workday she’d had in weeks, though not the most productive. Thoughts of a gorgeous Irish dom kept intruding, and they weren’t exactly safe, or appropriate, for work. When she got lost in a fantasy featuring a worn leather saddle, piles of fragrant hay, lots of straps, and a whip-wielding Keiran Finnegan dressed in black leather pants, his chest bare, tan, and glistening with a fine sheen of sweat, she had to get up and splash water on her face—twice.

Chapter 14

ESME ARRIVED AT WORKthe following day, determined not to let thoughts of Finn derail her focus. In the morning, she made good progress on her should-have-been-done-two-days-ago list. After taking only thirty minutes for lunch, she was back at her desk digging into her should-have-been-done-yesterday pile when the intercom buzzed.

Her eyes shifted to her obsolete, four-line phone, a decade past due for replacement, her boss too cheap to pay for an upgrade. She reached out and hit the flashing red button.

“Yeah, Jas?”

“Call for you on line two, Esme. I didn’t get to talk to your hot new man yesterday, but on the phone, he sounds as yummy as he looks.”

A thrill of excitement raced through her and she couldn’t contain the grin spreading across her face. She knew it was silly and sappy because that’s exactly how she felt.

“I got it, Jas, thanks.” Grabbing the receiver, she punched the second flashing light. “Hey, Finn.”

“Esme. I want to see you tonight.”

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