Page 47 of Dark Lover

“No, it’s a fact. He wants us to provide him with some X-rated entertainment.”

He didn’t have to read her mind now. His interest was immediate and a different tension began. Anxiety hummed. “Did ye agree?”

“Do you care?”

“I’ve never minded an audience,” he lied. He hated audiences. There’d been too many of them.

“I thought you’d be all gung ho—you get to get me in bed! He’s expecting us at seven.”

“I’ll pick ye up at half past six.”

She said seriously, without sarcasm, “What’s wrong with you, Maclean? Really? You sound strange.”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve been enjoying my evening. Goodnight, Sam.” Then he stared at his BlackBerry grimly.

Sam Rose was too astute where he was concerned. He knew he should unload the page and get out now, while he could—before every secret he had was out there in the public domain.

And he should unload her, too.

But he knew he wouldn’t, not yet. Not until they’d finished what they’d started that day in Oban, Scotland.

CHAPTER EIGHT

SAM WAS ON HER WAY into her office the following afternoon when Nick’s assistant barred her way. Sam was an hour later than usual—it was almost 4:00 p.m. But she’d been up most of the night, thinking about Maclean, Hemmer, the missing page and the DVD. Then she’d spent half of the afternoon arguing with her insurance agency over her claim. She was in a fairly rotten mood. Seeing Jan, it instantly got worse.

She couldn’t stand the woman and the feeling was mutual.

Everyone assumed that they hated each other because they were both beautiful women, although as different as night and day. Jan was a modern-day version of Marilyn Monroe, all soft smiles and lush curves, with shoulder-length blond hair, big brown eyes, a bow-shaped mouth and a come-hither look that was as natural to her as breathing. However, that sex-kitten appearance hid a razor-sharp intellect and an unusual bio. She’d once been a field agent, one of Nick’s best ever. Sam had heard him mention that many times—and it riled her even more than Jan batting her lashes whenever a guy walked by.

There was more. Jan and Nick went way back—no one knew just how far. Nick was a legend in the agency. It was said he’d come close to dying for his agents a dozen times, and had taken down some of history’s worst demons as far back as Roman times. Jan was somewhat of a legend, too. Way back when, she’d been at his side through thick and thin, taking down the world’s worst evil with him. It was rumored she’d lost her fiancé to a gladiator in the Roman Colosseum.

It was a long enough history that Jan could talk back to Nick without any consequences, or offer him unsolicited advice and unasked-for opinions—no matter who was present. More importantly, she seemed to know everything that Nick knew. Clearly, although a PA and employee, she was also a friend and confidante. Speculation ran wild on the exact nature of their friendship.

The bottom line was that Jan had a special relationship with the boss, and got special treatment because of it.

Sam had hated her on sight. Jan had hated her as instantly.

And last year, Nick had taken Jan back in time to find a demon witch who was hunting Tabby. He’d known how badly Sam had wanted to go. That had been the deal breaker. Jan could lie down on Hudson Street in front of a steamroller and die for her, but Sam would never get past last year.

Now she stood in front of Sam’s office door, wearing a slinky, sleeveless aqua-blue dress and high heels, not bothering to smile. Sam faced her, wearing her usual short denim miniskirt, a tank top and midcalf boots. “You’re in my way,” she warned.

“Late night?” Jan asked, too innocently.

“They’re all late nights.” Sam smirked at her. Then she added, “I’m a Slayer, not a secretary, remember?”

Jan ignored that. “Was yesterday a sick day?” she mocked. “You didn’t call it in but we know you went into Five.” She smiled. “Too much fun and games all over midtown Manhattan with Mr. Clean? Whoops, I mean Mr. Down and Dirty.” She smiled, and Sam knew she’d seen the video from the other night.

“Jealous?”

Jan actually laughed. “I am not into bad boys, Sam.”

“I forgot. You live like a nun.”

“Some of us can control our libido. Some of us put self-respect above sleeping around with whatever’s available.”

“Some of us just wanna have fun.” Sam shoved past her. Her perfume was soft and sweet, like her appearance. Sam wanted to gag.

“Was last night fun, too?”