Page 14 of The Demon's Fire
“I can’t go now. I must talk with the board.”
“No time. You’re coming to Scath. You aren’t safe here.”
“I can’t…”
Ignoring her protests, Kole hauled Skyler into the outer office, her shoes flying across the floor. Struggling to keep pace in her heels, she clutched his hand in both of hers, resisting as he thundered toward the corridor.
“Stop. Dammit. I’m not ready.”
“Wait. Wait,” yelled a female. “Your bags.” She pointed to the corner where Skyler’s luggage was stacked. “Hi, Commander. I’m Anna, Skyler’s administrative assistant.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kole detoured, seizing the bags in one fist. Anna gathered a file and portal jumper from her desk, shoving them at a moving Skyler. “Here. You wanted to take these with you.”
As Skyler flew out the door with a determined Kole, the employees looked at each other. Speeding toward the portal access, he heard them giggle.
Chapter Four
Whenthey landed on Scath, Skyler broke from Kole’s grip. Her gaze swept up his large frame. His jaw was clamped tight, the muscles in it twitching. Obviously, he hadn’t enjoyed the ride.
To distract herself from his nearness, she patted her hair and smoothed her skirt. Just because the invaders had shot him twice and Alliance workers proclaimed him a hero, he was no less of a barbarian.
How embarrassing to be whisked away in front of her employees.
Before Kole could take her elbow to lead her toward his office, she stepped away to avoid further contact.
He showed off his sexy grin.
No. Not sexy. Annoying.
“Okay then. This way. I’ll check in at the stronghold, take care of a few things, review our itinerary before we start from here. But I suggest you rest after the excitement.”
“Resting is not on my agenda. Anna sent High Commander Cadmon’s office my plans. We will stick to them. Though I will need a few moments to call the board about today’s episode.”
Skyler debated telling Kole about the L incident, which could be related to the attack on the Alliance. But surely not. Then there was the strange e-mail. Also unrelated. She’d discuss the issue with her bosses first. Together, they could decide how to proceed.
Regardless of her wishes, the barbarian commander latched onto her elbow. “I have ideas about the tour.”
“I am uninterested in hearing them. Stick to the itinerary. It’s what I want.” The Alliance board of directors urged new division heads tour Scath as part of their training. She used her father’s old journals as a guide for her visit.
“Yes, Chief Maxwell. We’ll damn well follow your plan. You need to change clothes, though.” With that said, Kole dropped her arm to stride with determination toward an office.
Skyler, wearing Christian Louboutin black pumps, struggled to keep up, thetap-tap-tapof her heels mixing with thethud-thudof Kole’s boots on the stone floor.
Charging through the door, he let Skyler enter on her own behind him.
“What’s wrong with my clothes?” She glanced down at her gray three-quarter sleeve St. John knit suit with a pencil skirt. There was no damage to the expensive ensemble, despite Kole cramming her under a desk. She just needed to freshen her makeup.
The commander stopped, his gaze crawling up the length of her body. “They’re okay for a stuffy board room or maybe tea at the Peninsula in Hong Kong. A little formal for a tour of Scath.”
She gathered enough ice in her voice to freeze water. “My suit is quality, but I doubt you’d recognize stylish fashion. Given the kind of man you are.” Struggling with her portal jumper, she finally shoved it into her purse.
“I’m not a man. But what kind would I be if I were one?”
“Brutish, unkind, uncaring, violent. You get the picture.”
“I do.” He winked. “And right on.”
The nerve.
