Page 23 of Love Among the Ruins
CHAPTERSEVEN
DOMINIC
He’d had back-to-back meetings all morning, but thankfully nothing with Galatis.
Thatwould have darkened his already black mood. Eleni followed him dutifully. In a smart business suit, her hair up in a knot, wearing heels, she looked different and behaved differently too.
It had amused him the way she’d tried to hide getting her heel stuck and pretended instead to admire the view.
Slim ankles.
Long legs.
He tried to dislodge these thoughts from his brain. He got on his knees for one thing only and helping out a damsel in distress was not one of them.
No sooner had he gotten out of the elevator than Linus accosted him. He’d been hovering by Miranda’s desk but as soon as Dominic appeared, he pounced.
“I need to talk to you about—”
Dominic loosened his tie. “Not now.”
“But it’s important. The report you wanted.”
Dominic growled quietly. Linus’ problem was that he mistakenly believed he was important. “Five minutes.” He turned to his side, barely managing to glance at Eleni who was patiently waiting. “Take a seat. I’ll call you.” He hadn’t meant to be so brusque, but something about Linus always brought out the worst in him. “Keep the door ajar,” he growled, when Linus went to close it behind him.
He stripped off his tie and a few seconds later his shirt was off. This goddamn searing heat was unbearable, and the air-conditioning left much to be desired. He went to his cupboard where a few crisply clean shirts were hanging and grabbed one. Sliding his arms in brought instant relief. The cool freshness of unworn shirts chilled by the AC calmed him down.
He eyed Linus as he did up his buttons.
“The figures that Galatis wanted.” Linus slid a binder across the desk. “I typed up a report.”
This wasn’t urgent. “Is that all?”
“Don’t you want to discuss it?”
“I’m busy. Later.”
Linus looked displeased. “Who is the girl?”
“A new hire.”
“A new hire?” Displeasure hardened Linus’ thick voice. “I don’t know anything about—”
“You don’t need to know.”
“But who is she? Where is she from? You’ve already hired her? For what position?”
Because he didn’t have all the answers, and because he sensed Linus’ disapproval, Dominic shut him down. “Trust my judgment.” He opened the door and gestured for the man to leave. “If you’ll excuse me. I have an appointment.”
Linus’ left the office, his head turning towards Eleni who was sitting there looking nervous. Dominic could only imagine the dirty look Linus must have thrown her.
“Come in,” he told her. Then tried not to stare at her as she moved past him and towards his desk.
She sat down, crossed her legs and looked the picture of poised calmness. Were it not for her constantly playing with the strap of her handbag which rested on her lap, he would have believed it.
His irritation from dealing with Linus soon melted away.
“What position am I interviewing for?” she asked, putting her hands together on her lap.
