Page 20 of Sasha’s Secret

Rocco wanted to think the same. He told himself it was because he wanted the person closest to his principal to be someone she could trust and rely on, but the truth probably had a lot more to do with his very personal interest in Sasha, and involved indulging some of his baser instincts. “I hope you’re right.”

Nick shrugged. “Time will tell—hopefully fairly soon. Anything else you need?”

“That’s about it for now.”

“Okay. Enjoy your dinner.” Nick raised a knowing eyebrow. “It’s a school night—don’t stay up too late.”

Rocco closed his eyes and shook his head. “I left home a long time ago… Dad.”

As he signed off, Rocco kept his features carefully schooled, so as not to betray even the slightest hint about the link between his last word to his boss and the single most toxic relationship he’d ever experienced.

His cell pinged with a text alert. It was from Sasha.

We’re in the kitchen for dinner—sorry. Linzi’s boyfriend’s staying over, so they’re using the small dining room.

Rocco couldn’t say he was sorry. Given a choice between very informal dining in the kitchen and the formal dining room—a space that was only marginally smaller than the flight deck of an aircraft carrier—he was glad Sasha had opted for the kitchen rather than the larger of the two dining rooms.

All thoughts of his conversation with Nick disappeared as Rocco made his way through the house. It was, without doubt, a beautiful residence, but a home it was not. Would he feel any differently if he lived there permanently? He doubted it, but the question was irrelevant. When he was done here, he’d move on. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Until he no longer wanted to do the job—or something happened that meant he couldn’t do it.

There was no sign of his dinner companion yet, so Rocco gave Chef a wide berth and took the long way around the kitchen to the counter where he’d enjoyed breakfast with Sasha that morning. He almost made it, too, until Geri waylaid him.

“Rocco, hi. Hope you’ve had a good day.”

“I have, Geri, thanks. You work evenings as well?”

“I have the breakfast shift, and help Chef with dinner.”

“So you get lunch off for good behavior?”

The petite blonde grinned. “Something like that. Now, where are you going?”

Rocco glanced toward the counter where he and Sasha had had breakfast. “Over there seemed to be a reasonable assumption.”

Geri folded her arms and treated him to a disapproving shake of the head. “Absolutely not. Come this way.”

Rocco followed her around a corner and straight into a secluded alcove where a table for two had been prepared, complete with a dazzling white linen tablecloth, coruscating crystal glassware, and what Rocco’s mother would have called “the posh cutlery”. He turned to Geri.

“I think there’s been some kind of mistake. Unless you’re expecting—”

“Only you and Sasha. Oh, she sends her apologies—she’ll be here in about ten minutes. Linzi wanted her for something. Now, can I get you a drink?”

“Water will be fine, thanks.” Nick’s comment about it being a school night might well have been a joke, but when he was working, Rocco preferred to keep a clear head whenever possible.

“One pitcher of ice water coming right up. You sit down, make yourself comfortable, and relax. I’ll take care of everything.”

In the absence of any better ideas, Rocco did as he was told. This was crazy. All the table needed was candlelight, and anyone would think it was a date.

With nothing else to do, Rocco took the opportunity to look through what amounted to a glass wall to the gardens beyond. With the sun now well and truly set, the solar garden lights had come on, giving the place an almost fairytale appearance.

All in all, the day had gone well. No real surprises, which was always good, and then there’d been that twenty-minute run with Sasha. The perfect way to end the working day, or so he’d thought—until she’d invited him to join her for dinner and perfection had taken on a whole new meaning.

He sensed a presence to his right at the same moment he became aware of the scent of flowers. She was there, just beyond his peripheral vision, but for some reason, she’d come to a halt.

Rocco resisted the temptation to look around. Instead, he reached for his glass, took a sip of water, and waited.

* * *

Being unexpectedly waylaid by Linzi had been frustrating at the time, but at this moment, Sasha could only give thanks for the consequences. If she hadn’t been running late, she wouldn’t be standing here, out of Rocco’s line of sight, drinking in a vision that had her ovaries throwing the party to end all parties. She really needed to get a grip.