Darien pushed aside the paperwork that he'd tried to concentrate on for the past half hour and rubbed his temples. Damn that Kyle woman! He couldn't seem to get her out of his head. He kept remembering the way her body fit with his so perfectly. She was gorgeous . . . and frustrating as hell. It irked him to admit it, but he had grown used to women falling easily for his good looks and ready money. This one, however, nearly threw it all back in his face. With a sign, he spun his chair to face the wall. Her paperweight, which he'd kept in his own office, winked at him from a shelf. Serena Kyle was an enigma . . . one he now fully intended to figure out.
"Yoo hoo, Dary darling." A pair of gloved hands covered his eyes. "Guess who."
He clenched his teeth and tried not to dig his nails into the padded arms of his desk chair. That cooing voice could only belong to one very frustrating individual. "Ann, what are you doing here?"
The hands removed themselves and Ann Dernick poured herself into his lap. "Why, sweetheart, what a thing to say! What's wrong with a little visit, hmm?"
Before he could open his mouth, the door, which Ann had neglected to close behind her, swung the rest of the way open. "Darien, I brought those-"
Darien squeezed his eyes shut. Not now, please not now. He twisted his neck to see over his shoulder. Serena stood in the doorway, a large box gripped tightly in her hands. Her cheeks burned. "I . . . I'm sorry. I didn't know . . ." She squared her shoulders and set the box on his desk. "Jadeite told me to bring these on back. I'll go now."
"Damn it!" In one swift move, Darien dumped Ann from his lap and crossed to Serena. "It's not what you-"
Serena faced him, eyes cool. "It doesn't matter what I think. I brought you the three pieces you requested. I also wanted to thank you for helping me to move into the new apartment to quickly. I'll let myself out, now."
"Just wait a sec, will you? Here-" Darien grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the office.
"Take your hands off me!" Serena fumed. She pulled herself free and glared up at him. "That's some nerve you've got. How many women do you have on your little string, hmm? How do you keep them all straight, write it down in your planner? Four o'clock, ask Serena to dinner. Six o'clock, make-out session in office. Get rid of her before Serena catches me." She pointed a rigid finger at him. "Well, let me tell you, I'm not falling for it. I told you that I wasn't interested, and I'm not. But even if I was, you just lost any chance of-"
"Will you shut up for half a moment? I wasn't any more thrilled at her being there then you were. Hell. Where's –ah." He rapidly found Jadeite and dragged the resisting young woman behind him. "Jadeite, how the hell did Ann get back there?"
The blond man blanched. "She's here? Oh god, Darien, I honestly didn't see her. She must have slipped right by as I was helping someone."
Darien released an explosive sigh. "Okay. Just . . . just take care of Serena while I deal with this." He whirled around and stalked back into his office.
Serena looked in askance at Jadeite. "I thought you said he wasn't currently involved right now." That scum! He actually hit on her just that afternoon, and then thought he could go right back to his latest bimbo! She sniffed in disgust. Probably even dyed her hair, too. That red simply wasn't natural.
"He's not." Jadeite led her over to a leather-bound couch and sat next to her. "Remember when I mentioned the nightmare Darien dated?" When Serena nodded, he gestured toward the office door. "That's the nightmare. Ann Dernick is a painter. She's actually good, so Darien displays a few of her things here. They dated for a bit. Problem is, she's also a greedy little bitch, and she tried to sponge Darien for his money. Well, he saw straight through her and broke it off, but she won't admit it."
"Thought about a restraining order?"
Jadeite laughed. "She's annoying, but that's all. Darien won't waste that much time on her."
"Hmm." Serena felt a twinge of guilt at her immediate assumption, but she squelched it. She wasn't interested in Darien. Not in the least.
A few minutes later, a very hassled man emerged from the office. "She's gone. I let her out the back. Let's close for the day. I've had enough. Now," he turned to Serena, the normal smile back on his face. "Shall we take a look at what you've brought us?"
It was only a moment's work to open the box and remove the three pieces. They were truly beautiful. The pair of tall, slender candlesticks were a deep indigo, and they flared out at the base and mouth for stability. The next piece was a flare of green and gold in the indistinct shape of a dragon taking flight. The last was much simpler then the others. Serena had shaped a large bowl, and then glazed it with specks of lavender.
"Truly beautiful," Jadeite breathed. "Serena, you have such a gift. These are for display only, right?" He looked to Darien for confirmation.
The other man nodded. "I trust you'll know best what to do with them. Serena, may I re-interest you in that dinner invitation? It's getting rather late." Indeed, the sky was turning dark, and lights were coming on up and down the streets. When Serena shook her head again, he grinned mockingly. "What, afraid? I won't bite. And I promise not to inflict any more of my harem on you."
Stung by his teasing tone, she straightened her spine. "Fine. I really haven't had time to stock the fridge yet." She thought guiltily about the groceries that had been left out on the floor of her old place. By the time she had returned, all that was salvageable was the loaf of bread. "But it's not a date."
Darien nodded in compliance. "Of course. Simply a meal to celebrate our partnership."
***
There was a small bite in the air, unusual for early October, as Serena stepped out of the limo and looked up at Darien. "Do you actually know how to drive?"
"Of course. I happen to own several cars. Why?"
She sighed and shook her head ruefully, then paused to brush street dust off her dress. Darien had given her an hour to run home, shower, and change. She had washed her hair and pinned it up around her scalp like some sort of massive golden crown, but that was simply because the style was one that pleased her. The pearls, which had originally belonged to her great-grandmother, were fitting for a nice occasion. Serena assured herself that the outfit she had chosen, an ankle-length, long sleeved gown of deep emerald green wool, was nice and practical for dinner at the sort of place a man like Darien would be accustomed to. The fact that it clung to each and every curve had nothing to do with it.
Even if his eyes did light up in appreciation.
"The Caviarteria?" Serena looked at the small café-style restaurant he had chosen. (AN: There really is a Caviarteria in New York City! It's fabulous! And very expensive.)
"You've been here? I hope it's all right." Darien cursed himself for not asking beforehand. He had wanted to surprise her again, but not everyone enjoyed the expensive delicacies served here.
"Are you kidding? I could eat caviar, pate, and smoked fish day in and day out! It just doesn't fit my budget." Indeed, she was thrilled. This was the place where Serena always treated herself after a successful sale.
"Good." Darien smiled and offered his arm. "Shall we go in, my lady?"
She returned the smile. "Of course, good sir."
The staff obviously knew him, and quickly seated them at a corner table. Darien ordered champagne and the sampler platter for starters. Serena noticed how quickly everything was served. She certainly had never received such excellent service, the few times she had been here alone.
"Does everyone fall over themselves to lick your boots?" Serena asked with a sarcastic grin.
"You'd be surprised at what money can buy."
"With you around, I'm learning very fast."
Darien graced her with a small smile. "Learn quickly. My dear, I intend to make you one of the best-know artists in the country. Your work will be displayed everywhere from the White House to the Museum of Modern Art."
Serena blushed. "You really think I'm that good?" She had strived for years to simply make a living. What he promised her was beyond her wildest dreams.
"Good? Serena, have you listened to a word we've said? You're a genius."
***
"-And there was Jadeite, with this priceless look on his face, and the poor little sculptor, covered head to toe in violet paint! I had to repaint that entire section of the gallery."
"Oh, no! Poor Jadeite! He's much to reserved for his own good sometimes." Serena laughed as she and Darien stepped out of the elevator. She dove into her handbag and finally came up with her keys. The lock on her new apartment turned smoothly, unlike the old one, which she had to fight every time she came home. Everything about this new place was wonderful! She had to admit that, pushy though he might be, Darien treated his artists to all the possible amenities they could desire.
"Well, dinner was nice. Thank you." Serena stepped forward to stroke her hand along the soft velvet of a love seat. Indeed, dinner had been wonderful. They had feasted on beluga and roe, smeared goose pate on delicate wafers, and traded tastes of their seafood salads. The music had been light and enjoyable, the atmosphere relaxing, and the staff quick and eager to serve. She couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed herself so much. Darien was a fascinating and witty conversationalist.
When she realized that no answer had interrupted her brief reverie, she turned to find Darien close behind her. He stepped closer and ran his hands down her arms. Internal alarm bells shrilled, and her hand slapped against his chest. "What are you doing?"
"No need to jump out of your skin." He moved one hand to cup the back of her neck. "I'm just going to taste you."
"Don't." But his lips were already skimming over hers.
"Won't hurt. Promise."
He kept his word. It didn't hurt. It soothed and aroused, it eased and it stirred up those needs she'd locked so carefully away. But it didn't hurt.
Darien finished the kiss and drew back. "There's something between us. There's a spark, and you know it. Now, you can turn away, but it's still going to be there."
Serena pressed a hand against his shoulder as his mouth lowered to hers again. She meant to turn away, told herself to turn away, to where everything was safe and ordered and simple. But the spark he'd spoken of snapped inside her, warm and bright. She curled her fingers into his shirt and let herself feel.
His mouth was soft, gentle, coaxing hers to taste. As he was. Warmth spread into her belly even as ropes of tension and awareness tangled together. And as that mix rose up toward her heart, he eased back.
"I had a feeling," he murmured. His hand continued to rub and stroke the back of her neck. "Had it the first time I saw you."
Her head was spinning. It wasn't a sensation she enjoyed. "This is a mistake. I don't-" she only realized that she had been backing up when she knocked over a side table.
Darien smiled and followed her. "Life's full of mistakes." He kissed her against, lightly. "This doesn't feel like one, but we're just going to have to see it through to find out."
"Darien, I'm no good at this sort of thing."
"Which sort? The kissing sort?"
"No." Her own laugh came as a surprise. How could he make her laugh when she was terrified? "The man-woman thing, the relationship thing."
"Then you'll just have to practice."
"I don't want to practice." She could do nothing but sigh when he pressed his lips to her forehead. "Darien, there's so much you don't know about me."
"That goes both ways. So let's find out. It was a nice evening." And with that, he stepped through the door and closed it after him, leaving her a twisted bundle of nerves.
***