Authors: Starr Ambrose
Gold Fire (39 page)
She waited for the crazy fluttering in her chest to stop, marveling at her own reaction. Pure excitement, without a drop of fear. That list was history.
She chewed her lip, pretending to consider it. “I suppose I’d have to sleep with the boss.”
“I’m afraid that’s mandatory.”
“Figures. Would I have to take up fishing?”
“That’s negotiable,” he allowed.
She crossed her arms, stalling for time. Every impulsive decision she’d made about Jase had been right, and her impulse here was the strongest one she’d ever had. Still, she knew that years from now she’d want to say she’d given it at least a half minute’s thought. “Any benefits?”
He arched an eyebrow.
She bit back a smile, thinking she wouldn’t mind taking advantage of the benefits very soon. “Pension plan?”
Slowly, he shook his head, showing the first hesitation she’d seen. He almost looked nervous. “I’m afraid not. The position doesn’t allow for retirement. It lasts forever.”
Rockets started going off in her mind, bursting into sparkling showers. “Hmm.” She rocked on the balls of her feet, pretending to ponder his offer, amazed he couldn’t see that it was a done deal. “When do you need my decision?”
His gaze was steady on hers, serious, and just the slightest bit worried. She bit her cheek hard, using the pain to hold back the threatening grin.
“I’m not interviewing other applicants. I’m willing to wait until you’re available,” he said.
She let him worry for a few seconds longer, then
nodded decisively and held out her hand. “I’ll take the job.”
His face broke into a grin as he shook her hand, then drew her into a long, bone-melting kiss that left her seriously overheated. She wouldn’t have minded if it went on for another fifteen or twenty minutes, but he set her back suddenly. “Let’s go.” Pulling her by the hand, he skirted the house, walking fast toward his truck.
She trotted to keep up with his long strides. “Where are we going?”
He glanced at her, his smile touched by a predatory gleam that stirred a wild pulse of excitement in her. “I neglected to mention the job training program.” His smile turned downright feral. “It starts immediately.”
© Winship Studio
STARR AMBROSE
is the author of the acclaimed novels
Lie to Me, Our Little Secret,
Thieves Like Us,
and the first book in her series featuring the Larkin sisters of Barringer’s Pass,
Silver
Sparks
. She grew up in suburban Detroit and earned a B.A. in English from Michigan State University. She and her family live on a small farm, which she blogs about at
www.dirtroaddiaries.blogspot.com
. For more information on Starr and her books, visit
www.starrambrose.com
.
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
THE SOURCE FOR READING GROUPS
Also visit
Romance.SimonandSchuster.com
COVER ILLUSTRATION BY ALETA RAFTON
READ ALL OF STARR AMBROSE’S IRRESISTIBLE CAPERS!
Opposites attract . . .
danger
. Head back to Barringer’s Pass as Zoe Larkin’s sassy sister, Maggie, teams up with a sexy off-duty detective to offer a deadly crook a taste of “reality” . . .
Available from Pocket Books
Fantasy. Temptation. Adventure.
Visit
PocketAfterDark.com
, an all-new website just for Urban Fantasy and Romance Readers!
• Exclusive access to the hottest urban fantasy and romance titles!
• Read and share reviews on the latest books!
• Live chats with your favorite romance authors!
• Vote in online polls!
We hope you enjoyed reading this Pocket Books eBook.
Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster.
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
Pocket Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Starr Ambrose
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Pocket Books paperback edition December 2012
POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at
www.simonspeakers.com
.
ISBN 978–1–4516–2364–2
ISBN 978–1–4516–2366–6 (ebook)