Katelin

"Have you ever been in love, Kate?"

It's a completely inappropriate question but somehow I know Raul isn't just making small talk.

"Yes." The reply comes out before I could think better of it. Damn it. I should really get his focus back on the problem at hand, but I have a feeling this question has to do with what we're dealing with. Raul does this sometimes, approaches a problem from a direction no one expects. I've gotten used to it.

The corner of his mouth quirks up in amusement. "Who is he?" he says, then adds, "She? They?"

"No one you know." I avert my eyes. "What you going to do?"

"Did it work out?"

So much for getting him back to the topic. "No, it didn't."

"Do you still love them?"

"Him." I don't know why I had to throw in that bit of unnecessary information. My love life has nothing to do with finding a suitable wife for him. "And... it's complicated."

"Is he married?"

There's a touch of sympathy in his tone, and not a bit of judgement. Sometimes I wonder why this man, whom I suspect doesn't have an ounce of selfishness in him, chooses casual one-night-stands over any kind of romantic relationship.

"He wasn't interested in me," I say. "I'm over it. What does this have to do with anything?"

"I think you might understand why I don't want to do this." His chin is down, his brown eyes peering at me through his ridiculously long eyelashes.

"Get married, you mean?"

"Marriage is..." He sighs. "I thought that if I ever did get a wife, she would be someone I cared for. Someone I trusted."

"Don't you trust your friends?" I did suggest he marry one of his female friends.

"I know them well enough to know they would never say yes." He grins. "You know, I proposed marriage to Hui Yin last night."

My heart stops. I suck in a breath, trying to look calm. "What did she say?" She turned him down, I assume. Or he and I wouldn't be here right now.

"Turned me down. I knew she would. Her parents would never allow her to marry an American, not even if we promised to break up after five years."

I frown. "But you asked her anyway."

"I thought I'd... practice." His eyes flick over me. "You don't drink?"

"I do. Just not at work."

He pours wine into a glass. "We're not at work."

I stare at the drink he pushed toward me.

"Please, Kate," he says. "My life's about to change. At least don't let me drink alone."

I breathe in as I lift the glass to my lips. The pinot noir smells delicious. I love wine, but I rarely ever get to have anything as expensive as this. It was good. I close my eyes briefly, savoring the taste of the drink in my mouth.

"Thank you for all the work you've done," he says. "I'm sorry it was all for nothing. I'm going to talk to my aunts tomorrow."

I raise my eyebrows. "You think you can convince them to not go through with it?"

"I can try."

My heart sinks, but I nod. Because what else could I do? I know he doesn't have a prayer of dissuading his aunts from pushing through with their agenda. I suspect he knows this too.

"Hey," he says, leaning over the table. He folds one arm under him and with the other, reaches over to brush my wrist with the tip of his index fingers. It's his usual way of comforting me when he knows I'm worried or anxious. He has no idea that the smallest touch from him ignites heat all over my insides and I have to clench my teeth to suppress a physical reaction. "It will be fine."

"Sure." There's that sadness in his eyes that shines through even when he's smiling. I'm probably just imagining, though. I force myself to smile back.

"You'll probably be glad to be rid of me." He leans back in his seat.

"There's that, yes." I drain the glass of wine to avoid meeting his eyes.

"Bianca might try to hire you." He narrows his eyes. "Unless she already has?"

I'm suddenly very focused on pouring myself more wine.

He laughs. "I see. Well, she's terrific to work with. Sadly, she can't have you."

"Why not?" I take another sip of wine.

"Because you're mine." His grin was smug. "I'll still need an assistant, you know. Even after this."

His phone rings. I'm left to mull over the future of my career as he answers it.

"Can't, I have a date."

Raul's words jerk me back to reality. Who can still be going out on a date at a time like this? Raul Marin, that's who. Even if he did decide to get married to some random actress before Wednesday, we would have one hell of a time explaining why was out with three different women since the weekend. And that's only the women I know of.

"Well, take Kate with you. She deserves a little fun."

My eyes shoot up to meet his gaze. He smiles at me. "Yeah, she'll fill you in," he says.

"Who was that?" I say as he pockets his phone.

"Marcus. Poor guy is panicking. You'll fill him on things, won't you? He's coming to pick you up for dinner. Put it on my card."

***

There is no way I could ignore the curious, mostly envious stares from the other diners as I sit across Marcus Ryan at a corner table in the elegant French bistro. The man has the kind of jaw-dropping good looks hardly ever found outside of Hollywood— a tall, well-toned build, stylishly-cut blond hair, dreamy hazel eyes, and cheekbones for days. It's only Marcus himself who seems to be moving through life entirely unaware of his own appeal, so focused he is on the company and his work.

"So I guess that's that," he says, frowning down at his salmon meuniere.

"You'll still have a job," I say, giving him a wry smile.

"I broached the idea of resigning in the event of Raul's... leaving the company, but he said he'd rather I stayed."

"He loves the company. If you leave, you'll make him feel even worse."

He nods, still looking glum. He's moving his salmon around with his fork, having barely touched it.

"Let's get dessert. You'll feel better." I haven't raised my hand for a split second before a server appears. "Let's split a pear clafoutis. I'm so full I don't think I can eat an entire slice by myself." I had the grilled Sisteron lamb chops with Herbes de Provence, which was so good I had a better appetite than I expected, considering the stress of the day.

"Uh, sure," he said.

I smile at the server to confirm our order and he whisks away our entree plates.

"You're a really good friend to Raul, you know," I say.

To my surprise, Marcus fixes his gaze on me for a long moment. "I'm hoping you consider me your friend too," he says.

"Oh. Of course." To my horror, I feel my cheeks grow warm. I grab my wine and take a sip, hoping he doesn't notice the color in my face.

"What will you do, Kate?" He clears his throat. "If Raul leaves the company, I mean."

I shrug. "I'll still be his assistant, apparently. I'm already helping manage his business affairs outside Marin Elizondo."

"I guess that means we'll no longer be co-workers."

"I guess not."

"We could..." He pauses. "We should have dinner again sometime. Are you free this weekend?"

"What?" I stare at him, my mind unable to process what he just asked me. "Oh, did you want to discuss the merger?"

"God no." He winced. "I'm sorry for the confusion. I meant to ask you on a date."

I blink. "A date?"

"Yes."

I glance around before meeting his eyes again. "Is this a date?"

He flashes me one of his rare smiles and I let out a silent breath. My God this man is gorgeous. No wonder traffic accidents happen when he and Raul hang out together. "Seeing as your boss insists on paying for this dinner, then no."

We're interrupted by the server who sets down a plate with a slice of pear tart. I stare at it, thinking.

"You can say no, Kate," he says.

"Sorry." I smile sheepishly. "I'm trying to figure out if it would be... appropriate to go out with you."

"I've thought about it."

I laugh. Of course he did. "Okay. Go ahead."

He nods, taking a careful sip of wine. "If Raul is no longer CEO and you leave with him, that makes you no longer an employee of the company."

"Did you want to ask me out before this?"

"I did. But if would have been inappropriate to do so while you worked for us."

I smile. It's just like Marcus to be completely practical about these things. Working with the impulsive Raul day in and out makes me appreciate Marcus's calm, steady way of going about things. No wonder the two men work so well together. "Can I think about it?"

"Take all the time you need."

My car is still at the office so Marcus and his driver run me home after dinner. Henry, the driver, opens the car for me. To my surprise, I hear the opposite car door open.

"I'll walk you to your door," Marcus says. His long strides carry him around the car to where I'm standing. Mutely, I hand him my laptop case when he offers to carry it.

My heart is racing as I walk with him up the driveway. Nervousness make my legs unsteady and I slip on a patch of grass, my hands instinctively grabbing on to the closest thing they could— him.

Suddenly, his arms are around me, keeping me from falling. "Oh, shoot!" I mumble.

"Are you okay?"

I laugh in embarrassment. "Fine. Sorry."

"I could carry you, if you like."

It's only then that I realize how close our faces were. His gaze slid down to my lips and the laughter died in my throat.

"What's going on?"

It takes me a moment to register the voice. Together, Marcus and I turn to see Raul standing by the car, staring at us. 

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