Page 10 of The Demon's Fire
He tossed his leather jacket onto a chair. Stretching out in another, he tilted it to lean against the wall on two legs. He spread his thighs apart, laced his fingers behind his neck, and closed his eyes. His mouth twisted into the crooked grin he reserved for females he wanted naked in his bed or bent over a couch with their perky ass in the air.
****
Skylerraised her chin, stabbing a glare into Kole’s back, her lips parted in shock. Most people lacked the temerity to challenge her. She balled up the charred document on her desk, tossing it into the trash can.
How dare he.
She steadied her breathing while she focused on another task. But she couldn’t concentrate with the testosterone-laden barbarian sitting a few feet from her. After rereading the same paragraph five times, she peeked at the brute.
The man sprawled in the chair was one hundred percent danger, a tank on two boots. At what she guessed was six-foot-eight and thick-necked, he could be a nearly 300-pound blocking powerhouse, an offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears.Correct.Her love for the hometown team, a few beers, and a televised game on a Sunday was a guilty secret.
Likely, the man was arrogant enough to think women fell at his feet when he flaunted his crooked smile.
In the overhead light, his buzzed hair looked like fiery bits of straw glinting in the sun. A stubborn jaw along with the shadow of a beard set off a battle-worn, strong face. Muscles stretched his painted-on T-shirt. As his left bicep flexed, what she could see of his colorful Phoenix brand appeared to ruffle its feathers.
Weapons crowded into a harness strapped across his chest. Taut thighs strained the fabric of his jeans, and his spread legs clearly showed his…What would Anna and Laurie call it? Yes, his package.Impressive!In fact, the commander was so impressive, she struggled to breathe.
The man was attractive in a brutish way.Handsome if you liked rough, violent men.She did not.But if she did… No! Definitely not!
Resting her chin on a fist, her work forgotten, Skyler unabashedly stared until Kole’s fire-flecked gold eyes shot open. She thought flames sparked from his irises, but they died out in a flash.
An illusion?
“Why, Chief, if you keep looking at me that way, we’re gonna try out the top of your desk.” With a deep chuckle, he slammed his chair forward, bringing all four legs onto the floor, his elbows on his knees. The crooked smile returned to his face, taunting her.
Heat crept from Skyler’s neck to her cheeks, where she felt it erupt in bright crimson. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes. You do.” He spread his thighs farther apart.
Though the headache from the incident on the L had left her days ago, the commander was giving her a new one. Her office phone rang.
Rescued.
When she motioned for Kole to leave, he shook his head.
Blinking, Skylerhmphedwhile she lifted the receiver. “Maxwell.” She stared at the trade contract on her desk. “Winston. Just a moment.” She covered the receiver with her hand. “This is a private call. Do you mind leaving?”
“Yes. I do.”
Skyler pursed her lips.
Brutish. Rude.
“I only have a few minutes to talk, Winston.” She flipped a page. “Certainly, I look forward to the trip.” Trapping the phone between her shoulder and ear, she jotted a note in the margin. “You need not remind me to be safe and, yes, I am taking a coat. … What? Meet you for dinner?” She turned another page. She thought she had been clear with Winston about their relationship. Apparently, she needed to use stronger words. “I suppose. It will have to be Saturday evening when I return. And since I will be playing catch-up after touring Scath, I must be home early. How about the Grill House? … Okay. Manfredo’s at seven. … Eight o’clock then. Goodbye.”
On heels meant to show off her well-toned legs, Skyler rose from her chair to advance on Kole. “That was … my fiancé.” The white lie might be effective in keeping the brute at a distance. “I would have appreciated privacy.”
“Yeah? Sounded like a business deal. I have ice cubes in my freezer warmer than your chit-chat. If you were my intended mate, you’d be getting more than a phone call before you left.”
As Skyler frowned, rubbing the crease between her brows, the barbarian’s gaze traveled over her body.
Caught, he shrugged.
She whipped around, marched to her desk, and reopened a folder, making him wait while she phoned a client or two, gave directions to her employees, and resisted the temptation to look at the brute.
Kole had resumed his vigil, seated, leaning against the wall while Skyler’s heart fluttered in her chest.
Crash.
