Burned Deep (Burned 1)

Anxiety rippled through me—along with unadulterated lust.

Glancing back at Kyle, I said in what I hoped was an even tone, “He knows Anthony Delfino. They’re business associates or something.”

“Why is he always scowling?”

I didn’t bother to look back to see the dark expression on Dane’s face. It was pretty much engrained in my brain. And it made my toes curl and exhilaration shimmy down my spine.

“He’s just that way. Don’t make anything out of it. Brooding type.” My willpower lasted only so long, and I spared another glance his way. Dane had that you’re poaching on my territory expression on his chiseled face—directed at Kyle. Things

went a little haywire inside me. “His name is Dane Bax. He owns a new resort in Sedona. Where I now work.”

Kyle’s gaze snapped to mine. “What? Why?”

“Why, what?” I countered, confused.

“Why did you go to work at a hotel?”

“Oh, well, I’ve always wanted to do corporate planning in addition to weddings, and he sort of…” Made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Yeah, that definitely sounded way too 666 Park Avenue. With a nonchalant shrug, I said, “The timing just worked out and it was an amazing deal all the way around.”

Including the boss now being in hot pursuit of me.

“Are you talking about 10,000 Lux?” Kyle asked.

I had a little trouble concentrating on the conversation. I knew Dane was watching us. I knew he’d be annoyed that Kyle and I were still chatting. I also knew that Dane was steel and I was a magnet and I felt the intrinsic pull that made me desperate to extract myself from Kyle and make a beeline for Dane. Though I shouldn’t—we weren’t a couple. Were we?

Besides, he was in the middle of his own discussion.

So I said to Kyle, “That’s the one. The grand opening is scheduled at the end of the year.”

“I searched for marketing positions online before I went to Europe. Several jobs at the Lux came up.”

“They’re actively hiring. Do you have a portfolio?”

He reached for his phone and accessed the Web browser. Then he handed the device over. I scrolled through the photos, whistling under my breath at his projects. “Nice work.”

“I did those during an internship. I have more to post, but it’s a start.”

“Hey,” I said, not catching myself before I blurted, “you should apply at the resort. With the launch coming up, incredible things are happening. It’d be a great opportunity to pump up your portfolio.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet. Except…” He looked around me and frowned again. “Something tells me Surly over there wouldn’t go for it. What is his problem?”

You’re talking to me.

“He’s just sort of that way,” I said arbitrarily. “E-mail me your résumé. I’ll pass it on to HR.”

“I could definitely use the job, now that the fun’s over.”

I drained the remainder of my champagne and set the glass on a silver tray as a server wandered by. “You can get my e-mail address from Meghan or the Internet.” I didn’t dare whip out a Lux business card that had already been personalized for me—including a picture from a photo shoot we’d had earlier in the week for a press release. With Dane watching us so closely, I knew better than to add fuel to the fire. “I think I’ll grab another drink.”

Kyle opened his mouth—likely to offer to get me one—but I whirled around and headed toward the bar.

I lost sight of Dane in the throng of people milling about. I accepted a glass of champagne from a tuxedo-clad server and took several sips to cool my blazing insides. Really, that intensity of Dane’s was its own highly intoxicating sexual stimulant.

Eventually I made my way toward the terrace. He fell into my line of vision once more while he talked with a different group.

One that included Mikaela Madsen and a twentysomething attractive Italian man who must have been Fabrizio Catalano.

The discussion looked heated, with Mikaela gripping Dane’s arm from time to time and leaning in close. Really close. Like we know each other intimately close.