Overheated by Laina Kenney Read Free Book Online Page B

empty office for you weeks ago.”
    Sara felt some of her displeasure fading at the knowledge that her supervisor and friend had already acknowledged her hard work.
    “Carolyn thought I should have an office?” It was amazing how much that meant, Sara thought.
    “Carolyn was pissed at me when I didn’t agree immediately,” Dash corrected with a sudden grin, “but I could hardly tell her why. It wouldn’t do for the boss to admit that one sexy little blonde could throw me off my stride so easily without even trying. I do have a reputation to maintain.” His comic leer diffused the tension between them.
    Sara laughed softly, her face glowing at the outrageous compliment. She knew she was plain, knew that other men found her old fashioned and boring, but she was fiercely glad that Dash found something sexy about her. Lord, she certainly thought of sex enough around him. Perhaps his remarkable instincts had picked up on her deep awareness of him as a man. He was compelling to her on so many levels. It was a wonder she had managed to avoid her attraction to him for as long as she had.
    She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his back. She was just leaning up to kiss him when she happened to see movement.
    That quickly, she was pushed behind his broad back as he faced down the intruder.
    “Well, now, this is interesting,” Nina remarked, crossing her arms and leaning elegantly against the open door. Her voice was cool, but her eyes were hot with rage. “Are you getting a new job title to go with your new office, Sara? Something to indicate your new duties, perhaps?” Her tone was frankly insulting.
    Sara stiffened at the insinuation, feeling her face flush with shame, but before she could say anything, Dash spoke.
    “Close the door on your way out, Nina,” he said calmly. He kept his hold on Sara’s arm, making sure she stayed behind him and out of Nina’s line of sight.
    “Dash, you can’t be serious about her,” Nina said with disdain. She moved closer, putting that extra little swivel in her slender hips. “She can’t give you what I gave you that night with your friends. Could she even take three men at once? I know she can’t. It’s more than obvious she has no experience with men.”
    “She does now,” Sara mumbled from behind him as Dash kept himself firmly between her and Nina.
    “Nina, if you have any doubts about Sara’s qualifications, or her work for this company, talk to Carolyn. Carolyn is her supervisor and it was Carolyn who recommended she be assigned an office. Anything beyond that is none of your business,” he stated. When Nina opened her mouth to speak again, he held up one powerful hand.
    “Out.”
    “Fine!” Nina stalked to the door, and then turned. “When you’re finished with amateur hour, you know where to find me,” she said waspishly. She pulled the door shut with a snap as she left.
    Dash turned to Sara. He blew out a heavy breath. “I’m sorry, Sara. Please don’t let her comments bother you.” He ran his big hands up and down her arms, clearly trying to offer comfort after Nina’s attack.
    Sara sniffed. “Well, I guess I’d rather be an amateur than a professional at that, anyway,” she said, tongue-in-cheek.
    Dash laughed openly at her unique take on the other woman’s insult. Sara kept confounding him with her honesty and her wonderful, teasing humor. He pulled her close and hugged her until she squeaked out a protest.
    “Get to work, woman. And keep that connecting door open at all times so I can hear you if you need help. Don’t argue. I won’t get any work done if I have to worry about that asshole finding you, and I have a lot to do today. In fact, so do you,” he said ruefully, looking around at the numerous boxes taking up nearly every inch of space in the small office. “Once you get going, you’ll forget all about me, anyway.”
    Fat chance, Sara thought, but she didn’t say so. She only nodded, and he moved reluctantly into his