Romance Warfare: a Tigress' Guide to NOT Secure a Mate(7)

“Uh-humm,” Bella said, semi-mocking. “Like nobody, huh? We’ll see about that.”

“I’m serious.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I believe what you believe. At this very moment, you believe you can distance your feelings for him. But who knows what tomorrow brings? You might waltz straight into his bed.”

“That. Is. So. Not. Going. To. Happen.”

Bella giggled. She tossed a wet washcloth at Eva’s face and skipped out the door. “You’re fooling yourself.”

Eva plucked the washcloth and chucked it into the water. “I’m going to act like I never loved him,” she said softly to herself.





Chapter Three


“Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.”



Adam was staring at his computer. His calendar was organized and up-to-date. Eva updated it three times a day. He always knew when and where he was supposed to be. Whatever he thought about having his ex-fianceé work for him, he had to give it her—the woman was efficient, organized, and professional. Professional to a “T.” Her professionalism was driving him insane.

He thought he’d be able to ignore her, keep to his office and keep contact to a minimum but she was everywhere, even when he couldn’t see her. The soft redolence of her perfume permeated the outer office, forcing him to inhale the sensual scent of spiced vanilla and Eva’s skin. Her name was at the end of all the documents and memos she sent him throughout his workday, her murmur drifted through his office door when employees and clients stopped to talk to her. He couldn’t get away from her. He started to think he didn’t want to.

Adam studied his calendar again. There was definitely no avoiding Eva today. He and Dean had one of their most important working lunch dates of the fiscal year. Their German client was their most lucrative contract and the company representative was in NYC for their yearly renegotiation meeting. As his executive assistant, it was imperative Eva attended the lunch with him. He needed her there to take notes and handle the paperwork and files. Which meant spending at least half an hour with her in the back of limo. He supposed he should be glad Dean would be there, that at least they wouldn’t be alone, but somehow, he didn’t think Dean would be much help.

Adam sighed. Might as well get this over with. The less time he had to spend with Eva, the less time he had to fight his growing attraction to her. He ran his fingers through his thick hair and tugged on his overcoat. Swallowing past the tension he felt forming in his throat, he opened the door that separated his office from Eva’s and stopped.

Dean was leaning over Eva’s desk, a playful half-smile on his lips. She was laughing at whatever he just said, her head tossed back, and the light sound made Adam realize he hadn’t heard her laugh at all in the week she’d been here. Jealousy knotted in the pit of his stomach at the thought that Dean was the one to make her laugh and not him. He cleared his throat.

Eva stopped laughing immediately and he saw the light in her eyes fade, replaced by the veil she’d kept between them all week.

“Sorry,” she said, “we were just waiting for you. The limo is already downstairs.” She picked up a leather file case, “I’ve got all the contracts in here.”

“If you’re ready then,” he gestured toward the door. Damn it, why did he sound so formal every time he talked to her? Dean was smirking at him again. He’d like to take that punk cousin of his out into the woods and show him what he thought of his little stunt with Eva; both hiring her and flirting with her. He snarled quietly, letting his canine teeth elongate for a split second, just long enough to show Dean his displeasure. Dean only laughed at him again and followed Eva’s swaying hips down the hall to the elevators.

Adam was trying to ignore Eva’s presence on the ride down. Today she was wrapped in a deep purple dress that skimmed her generous curves and tied across her waist in way that accentuated her hourglass body. Her cinnamon curls were pulled half-up and cascaded down her back in a waterfall of waves. Adam wondered what she would do if he were to wrap those curls around his hands and tugged her head back to expose her delicate white throat to his hungry tongue. The elevator doors thumped open, jerking him from his reverie. Dean shot him another smug look as he guided Eva out of the glass doors and into the New York streets.

Asshole.

They settled into the back of the limo, Eva ducking in and sliding as far away from Adam as she could. Dean plopped between them and stretched his legs out across the car, propping his arms behind his head and giving Eva a wink. Adam speared Dean with his gaze before turning to study the people rushing by on the sidewalks outside.

“So,” Dean started “how’s the first week been, Evie?”

“It’s been fine,” she said shortly.

“Mr. Charming over here been giving you any problems?” Dean gave Adam a mocking grin.

“It’s been fine.”

“Well, this has been a scintillating conversation. Let’s move on. How’s your love life? Dating anyone? Got a friend with benefits?”

“Shut it, Dean,” Adam growled without looking at him.

“Actually,” Eva turned to Dean with a bright smile, “no, I’m not dating anyone. No special ‘friend,’ either.”