refused to be shamed. “And why the hell shouldn’t I have
said anything. It’s the truth, isn’t it? You said you were going to hire someone I
couldn’t possibly find attractive and you hired her? Why? Because she carries some
extra pounds? Now who’s the shallow motherfucker?”
“Don’t give me that shit. I’ve seen your type but that’s beside the point. The joke’s
on you, asshole, I never went through with it. I hired her because I liked her and
I thought she’d be a good fit for the agency. If I had really wanted to carry out
the threat I’d made in frustration, I would have hired one of the two women I’d interviewed
before her. I won’t call them ugly but I don’t see any beauty pageants in their future.
So there was no need for her to know what we’d discussed in private. And by the way,
just because she’s not the eye candy you’re used to seeing around the office doesn’t
give you the right to be so nasty to her. That poor woman was absolutely shattered.
What the hell has gotten into you?” Oliver demanded.
GianMarco’s jaw clenched. How could he articulate to Oliver the real reason for his
annoyance? He was sure the other man wouldn’t understand. He didn’t think anyone would.
He had tried to block out the despair in her eyes as she ran off. He had already been
a bit annoyed because he’d planned on taking the day off to rest after returning from
his latest mission with the Underground. But instead he remembered some callbacks
he needed to make. When he’d walked into the office, he was literally winded at the
sight that had greeted him.
Being a vampire had its advantages as he could move without being noticed if he didn’t
want to be. He remained in the doorway staring at an unfamiliar woman sitting at a
desk, staring at her computer in deep concentration. GianMarco couldn’t move if his
life depended on it as he took in her creamy milk chocolate complexion and huge dark-brown
eyes. Her hair was worn in a riot of curls and spirals that cascaded to her shoulders,
framing her heart-shaped face. It had looked so soft and inviting, and he imagined
himself gently caressing those curly locks. Her bow-shaped lips were full and pouty.
Every so often she bit her bottom lip as she focused on her task, and watching that
small action temped him to walk over to her and taste that generous mouth. He sensed
it would be sweet.
Even though she’d been seated behind a desk, he could tell that her rounded figure
would provide any man many hours of delight. Though she didn’t fit the Western standard
of beauty she was quite beautiful to him. His body shook and his cock stiffened. Her
scent was amazing.
Unable to resist, GianMarco had touched her mind with his and felt a deep sadness
from within her. He’d wanted to take her into his arms and soothe the sadness away.
It had been a long time since he had held a woman in his arms who wasn’t skin and
bones, but then again, women who were skin and bones were safer for his equilibrium.
He remembered how it had felt to be engulfed in the arms of a full-figured woman.
Not since his beautiful Bianca had he gone down that avenue, and he didn’t plan on
traveling that way again. It still hurt too much to think about it, even after all
this time. He didn’t want to remember, and he did not want this woman around as a
constant reminder.
It suddenly occurred to him why Oliver had hired this woman. His partner had no idea
the can of worms he’d opened. If GianMarco’s initial reaction was anything to go by,
then this woman would be trouble. The physical attraction aside, there just seemed
to be something about this woman that cried out to his soul, something he dared not examine. He’d known right
then that he would have to get rid of her, and fast. It was why he’d been nasty to
her, although it bothered the fuck out of him to hurt her as he went on his tirade.
He