Dark Heat

by Donna Grant

  “Did I hear right? Is Ms. Griffin finally back?”

  “Yes, sir. I just rode up the elevator with Elena.”

  “Lift. It’s a lift, Jane. How long is it going to take for you to get it right? Now, why isn’t Elena in my office?” Richard asked as he leaned back in his large leather chair and steepled his fingers.

  Jane glanced out the windows lining his office wall at the stunning view of London. “People are very fond of her, sir. Elena didn’t get two steps off the elevator—”

  “Lift,” he interrupted.

  Jane paused. She hated when he interjected terms they used in Britain. Sometimes she used an American term just to annoy him.

  “The lift, then. She got off the lift and was instantly surrounded. I’m sure she’ll be along shortly.”

  Richard sat up and braced his arms on his desk, his dark eyes cold. “Go find her. Now.”

  “Yes, sir.” She closed the door and looked at the stack of papers she’d dropped and needed to get to work on. It was going to be another late night.

  Jane walked down the hall to Elena’s office and found her standing in the middle of the room, staring blankly at her desk.

  “Are you all right?” Jane asked softly so as not to startle her.

  Elena whirled around in surprise. A sad smile pulled at her lips when she saw it was Jane. “I’m fine. I was just remembering the last time I was here, Sloan was telling me we were going caving.”

  “I know this must be difficult. I wish you had more time to adjust—”

  Elena laughed and set down her purse. “Let me guess. Richard wants to see me?”

  “I think it has to do with the necklace the earl wants made for his daughter’s eighteenth birthday.”

  Elena ran her fingers through her wealth of blond hair before gathering the locks into one hand and securing them into a ponytail. “Well, we mustn’t keep Richard waiting.”

  Jane followed Elena as they made their way to Richard’s office. Jane resumed her position behind her desk and began to sort through the pile of papers and manila folders.

  She lost track of time, but when she finished sorting the papers, she looked up to find Elena standing beside her desk.

  “Do you need me to get you anything?” Jane asked.

  Elena frowned. “What? Oh, no. I’m just thinking. Jane, did anyone work in my office while I was gone?”

  “I know Mr. Arnold went in there a couple of times looking for things while he handled some of your clients. Is something missing?”

  “No,” Elena said, a small frown marring her forehead. “No, I don’t believe there is. How long have you worked here?”

  “Since last summer. Just about a year.” Jane was beginning to suspect there was more to Elena’s questions than met the eye. She glanced at Richard’s closed door and lowered her voice before she asked, “Should I be looking for another job? I know Mr. Arnold isn’t exactly thrilled with my work.”

  Elena smiled and leaned down next to Jane. “He’s British,” she replied in a whisper. “He thinks he’s perfect.”

  Jane couldn’t help but return her smile. Elena always put everyone at ease, which was why she’d climbed the latter of success at PureGems so quickly. Her clients loved her. Coworkers loved her.

  Everyone loved her.

  “Jane!” Richard’s voice shouted again through the desk phone.

  She hurriedly rose to her feet, only to be stopped by Elena’s hand on her arm.

  “He treats you poorly,” Elena said, her sage green eyes holding a wealth of sadness and a measure of anger.

  Jane shrugged. “Yes, but it’s a good job, and I really like my flat. In order to keep it, I need the money he’s paying me.”

  “Jane!” This time his voice bellowed through the door.

  Elena’s brows snapped together. “I don’t care. No one should be treated like that. Don’t let him do it to you, Jane.”

  Jane wanted to acknowledge that Elena was right, but she needed every penny earned—a beggar couldn’t be choosy.

  “Thank you,” she said before she rushed to see what he needed, only to find herself running errands more suited to a mailroom clerk.

  Richard kept her dashing about the rest of the day. She even missed lunch. When she finally looked up from the letter she was drafting to grab a drink of water, she noticed it was after six.

  Then she saw a sticky note on her computer. She was supposed to go with a company driver and pick up a client at the airport a half hour ago.

  Jane grabbed her purse, nearly falling on her face as she jumped up from her chair, and ran to the elevator. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long for it to arrive, but every second felt like an eternity. She could just imagine how Mr. Arnold would react when he learned she’d been late to pick up his client. It could very well be the end of her employment at PureGems.

  By the time she reached the bottom floor, she had all kinds of excuses lined up to present the client, as well as ways to make it up to them.

  Jane pushed open the door, and her foot came out of her shoe when she took a step. She tried to turn around to get it—only to find people behind her, stomping on her shoe. Jane dodged several shoulders only to have a briefcase slam into her back as she grabbed her wayward shoe and put it back on.

  A rumble of thunder greeted her on the sidewalk as she straightened. A quick look around showed her there was no car waiting. Had they left? Had Richard sent someone else and not told her?

  A sick feeling began in her stomach. She parted her lips and took in several slow breaths to stop the queasiness and moved to the side of the building so she could lean against it. The day hadn’t started off well, and it was ending even worse.

  “You look like you could use a drink.”

  The smooth, deep voice sent goose bumps over her skin as it wrapped around her seductively. Sensuously.

  Wantonly.

  Her emotions were so strong, so astonishing that she closed her eyes and savored the feel of each incredible moment.

  Then she opened her eyes and slowly turned her head to stare into the most amazing gray eyes. They were stormy, like the sky above her, and she could imagine they would be as cold as steel when he was angry.

  His dark brown hair was a rich mahogany, tempting her to delve her fingers into the short strands. The trim cut accentuated his chiseled jaw and square chin to utter perfection. Brows, thick and as richly colored as his hair, slashed over his startling eyes. He had wide, full lips that were lifted in a mischievous, all-too-enticing grin.

  “I do. More than you know. Too bad I can’t right now,” she finally said when she could form words again.

  “Ah. An American,” he said, and pushed away from the building.

  He didn’t say it with the usual scorn Jane was used to from Richard Arnold. Rather, this impossibly handsome specimen said it as if American accents were a common occurrence.

  She swept her gaze over his tall form. He moved with fluid grace that seemed at odds with his height and the bulge of muscle his black suit couldn’t hide.

  The suit and white shirt were impeccable and fit him as if they were custom made. She let her gaze linger on the breadth of his shoulders and the hint of thickly muscled chest when his jacket shifted.

  He looked damned good in the suit, yet it seemed as if he were meant for more than such stiff clothing. She licked her lips as she wondered what he would look like in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as her blood heated just looking at the man. She dragged her eyes back up to his face to find him watching her.

  Jane had to make her feet stay in place despite the invisible pull she felt toward this complete stranger. It wasn’t just his amazing looks and mouthwatering body that attracted her, but also the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her.

  As if he were really seeing her.

  That in itself was a heady sensation that made her reach out toward the building with her hand. She let the brick grate against h
er palm in the hopes it would calm her body, which was raging out of control, tilting, spinning. Listing.

  “I’m waiting for my driver,” she said to fill the silence. Then inwardly cringed.

  She was always saying the wrong things around men. She should be flirting, but Jane didn’t know how to flirt. She wasn’t coy or beguiling. She hated the games people played, and just wanted to find a man she could be herself around.

  Every fall, ditzy moment, and disaster she had.

  His half smile grew, crinkling the corners of his unusual gray eyes. “That would be me. I’m Banan.”

  “Banan,” she repeated, letting the name roll through her mind. She liked the name.

  He gently guided her to where he had parked the Mercedes. “You must be Jane Holden.”

  “Yes.”

  He opened the car door, and she easily slid into the backseat. “I’ll get you to the airport in plenty of time.”

  Jane smiled as she rested her head back against the seat. With a grin like Banan’s directed at her, for the first time in her life she didn’t feel like a Plain Jane.

  And she had managed to walk to the car and get in it without incident. Maybe the day was looking up.

  CHAPTER

  TWO

  “Where is Stan, the regular driver?”

  Banan had expected that question, but he hadn’t anticipated the husky, sensual voice that passed through such inviting, luscious lips. Jane Holden was anything but typical.

  And he hated to admit the lust that flared, when he’d first spotted her.

  “He’s with Mr. Arnold tonight.” Banan said the lie easily. Almost too easily. Some might begin to question his integrity when lying became as effortless as breathing.

  Then again, few were as old as time itself.

  Banan glanced in the rearview mirror. Jane was looking out the window, her large, guileless coffee brown eyes seemingly staring at nothing. Though she might appear innocent, her relationship with Richard Arnold made her suspect. Like everyone at PureGems.

  No matter how appealing she might be, he couldn’t let down his guard.

  She didn’t speak, and he didn’t push her. It would have been prime opportunity to gather information. But one look at the dark circles under her eyes and the way she could barely keep them open, and Banan decided not to press her.

  For the moment.

  He stole another glance in the mirror. Her dark auburn hair was parted on the side, and it hung straight and sleek to her shoulders except for the hair that tapered around her face.

  Banan tried not to notice the high cheekbones in her oval face. He tried not to notice the way her tongue licked at her plump lips. He tried not to notice how she ran her finger over her arched eyebrow as she looked into a mirror she pulled out of her purse.

  But if he thought that was difficult, it was nothing compared to doing his damnedest to forget the glimpse of her long, lean legs as she’d gotten into the car. Or the straight skirt that fit her arse to perfection.

  It was so easy to imagine those long legs wrapped around him while he …

  Banan shifted in his seat, half-aroused. He had to get his mind off her. “Do you normally pick clients up at the airport?”

  “No,” she said and tucked a glossy strand of auburn hair behind her ear, revealing a small jade earring dangling from her lobe. “Mr. Arnold prefers to do it himself, but he had a prior engagement. Which is really odd, now that I think of it.” She paused, her forehead wrinkled in a frown. “This is a high-profile client. He never would’ve allowed anyone but himself to pick them up.”

  “It must’ve been something important indeed to take him away, then.”

  She didn’t say anything, but he’d gotten her thinking. Just what Banan wanted to do. He had no idea how loyal she was to Arnold, so he had to tread carefully.

  Banan said nothing more as they pulled into the airport. He stopped the car by a curb, but before he’d put the car in park, she was out the door.

  He watched as she hurried into the airport looking one way then the other. His gaze raked down her frame, from her button-down shirt that fit against her curves to the snug-fitting skirt and tall heels that only elongated her legs even more.

  “Damn,” he muttered, hating the lust that wouldn’t dissipate.

  Banan’s phone rang then, and he wasn’t surprised to see it was Guy.

  “Can you talk?” Guy asked.

  “Aye. What do you need?”

  “I wanted to know if you’d found out anything. I assumed you would’ve discovered something being alone in the car with the woman.”

  Banan grinned as he kept watch on the airport doors for Jane. “I found out Arnold is the one who usually picks up clients, but he had Jane do it this evening. She doesna know what kept him away.”

  “Could she be lying?”

  “She could be, but I doona think so. She seems … transparent. Unless she’s a verra good actress, I think she’s telling the truth.”

  Guy blew out a long breath. “Arnold is the top man in the London office. This has to involve him.”

  “And if it doesna? It could be someone else in PureGems.”

  “Doubtful, my friend. He’s the only one with the money and connections that could’ve gotten him our secret.”

  Banan leaned his elbow on the door. “How is Elena?”

  “She willna let me in her flat,” Guy said with a growl. “I even tried to sneak in, but she says she could be watched and doesna want anyone to know what she’s doing.”

  “She’s right.”

  “Aye,” Guy said angrily. “I know she’s right, but I doona have to like it.”

  Banan chuckled at Guy’s frustration. “Where is Rhys?”

  “He’s trailing Arnold. Hopefully he’ll come back with something useful. How much longer are you going to be?”

  “No’ sure. Jane is looking for whoever it is she’s picking up.”

  “Keep your eyes open.”

  “I’ll be fine. Worry about your woman.”

  “Doona remind me,” Guy replied testily.

  Banan ended the call, but Jane had gone farther into the airport and he could no longer stare at her. Which was probably for the best.

  He reached into the back and snagged her large purse. With ease, he rifled through the bag. He found her mobile and hurried to check incoming and outgoing calls. He was surprised to see there weren’t many at all.

  Satisfied there was nothing in her purse that could aid them, Banan replaced everything and set her purse exactly as it had been. Fifteen minutes later, Jane returned. Alone.

  She got into the back of the car and closed the door, a worried expression pulling at her features. “I don’t understand.”

  “What is it?”

  “The client isn’t here. His flight doesn’t come in until tomorrow. Did I get the day wrong? God, that would be just like me.” She put her head in her hand and let out a long, exasperated sigh.

  Banan started the car and pulled away from the airport. “Are you sure the client didna arrive?”

  “Yes. I have a friend who works for Virgin Atlantic. I had her check if he was on today’s flight. He wasn’t. I just don’t understand.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes. Doona worry about it.”

  She looked out the window. “Yeah. You’re right.”

  But he had the feeling she didn’t believe him. The way she held herself and the worry lines bracketing her lips told a different story than her words.

  “How about I drop you off at your flat instead of the office?” he offered. This way he wouldn’t have to tail her later.

  Their gazes met in the rearview mirror and she smiled slowly, true happiness in her eyes. “That would be great. Thank you.”

  He followed her quietly spoken directions. There was obviously something bothering her. She was so distracted. He began to wonder if the snafu that night was an accident, or something done to Jane deliberately.

  Whatever the cause, Banan intended to discov
er what it was. Jane seemed like the innocent sort, but sometimes those could be the ones at the heart of all the trouble.

  He stopped the car in front of her flat. While he waited for another car to pass so he could get out, Jane had already opened her door.

  Banan came around the back of the car and stopped cold at the sight of her long leg poking outside the car as she gathered her purse. Her skirt had slipped up, giving him an ample view of her thigh all the way down to the high-heeled shoes she wore.

  He swallowed. It was a shapely leg, but just a leg. Yet there was no denying the need, the hunger surging through him.

  Somehow he shook himself and held the door as she looked through her purse. Banan bit his lip to keep from smiling as he watched her.

  “They’re in this damn purse somewhere,” she mumbled.

  “Are you sure that’s a purse?” he asked as he nodded at its large size.

  She stopped and looked at him, then at her purse. And to his amazement, busted out laughing. Then she went back to digging. “It is rather huge. And the bigger the purse, the more crap I put in it. I know I need a smaller one, but I love this purse. Ah-ha!” she cried a moment later, and pulled out her keys.

  He helped her out of the car, covertly watching the way she slung the purse over her shoulder and adjusted her skirt before she turned to him.

  “Thank you for waiting on me this evening. I apologize for running behind.”

  “There’s no need to fash yourself over it. The client wasna at the airport.”

  “Fash?” she repeated and frowned. “You’re Scottish, right?”

  “I am.” He was more than that, but it was easier just to agree.

  She glanced down the street and fiddled with her key ring. “I traveled there last fall.”

  “For a holiday?”

  “In a manner,” she answered evasively. “It’s beautiful.”

  He found himself more intrigued by her with every passing moment. “Where did you go?”

  “I spent some time in Oban and Loch Ness.”

  “Did you go looking for Nessie?”

  She smiled and ducked her head. “I did take a boat ride on Loch Ness, but I’m sorry to say, I didn’t look for Nessie.”