Page 32 of Dirty Little Christmas

Crap.

My smile fades as another wave of anxiety races through me. I've thought about nothing but this moment since yesterday, and I still have no idea how to handle it. Honestly, I expected to be found out before I ever made it through the doors this morning. But no one sounded the alarm. So far, they all believe I'm my sister.

Will Alaric? If he already suspects me, I'm screwed.

"Thank you." I give Ruby a tight smile and scurry toward Alaric's door, my kitten heels tapping against the porcelain tile.

"Enter," he growls, his deep voice muffled.

I inhale a breath and push open the door. Like the anterior office, his inner sanctum is lavishly appointed, with a wall of windows overlooking the city below. He's standing beside his desk, six foot four in a thousand-dollar suit. Every inch of him is dark, from his hair to his eyes to the black fabric encasing his brawny body.

My gaze tangles with his, and every ounce of breath in my lungs rushes out in a strangled exhale. He's angry. Furious even. It roils in his onyx eyes like storm clouds.

"Come in and close the door." His familiar voice rolls over me in a tidal wave, puckering my nipples. It's so deep. So decadent. Like smooth caramel. Only there's a bite to it that wasn't there six years ago.Anger.

I stumble over my own feet in my haste to obey and quickly shut the door. And then I stand there, my hands at my sides, desperately trying not to fidget or blurt any of the thoughts running through my mind in a dizzying parade.

He's changed. And yet he's exactly the same beautiful man I've been dreaming about for far longer than I should have been.

"You're the new intern."

"Y-yes," I whisper.

"What's your name?"

I don't want to lie to him…but I do it anyway. "Jillian."

Something flares in his eyes. "Have we met before?"

"Maybe." I lick my lips, skirting the razor's edge between the truth and an outright lie. "I meet a lot of people through my father."

"Ah, yes. The mayor." A flash of scorn dances through his expression before he schools it. "If you're here to try to convince us to endorse his bid for governor, the answer is no."

"I'm not."

He cocks his head to the side, waiting to hear me out.

"I'm sure that's what he wants, but I'm here for me."

"Why?"

"Why?" I repeat.

"Why are you here?"

"I..." I hesitate, which seems to annoy him. "I've dreamed about working here for years."I've dreamed about you since I met you. "I just want one chance to show you what I'm made of."

"Mmm." He leans against the edge of his desk, studying me intently. "Are you certain we haven't met before?"

"I…I don't think so?"

"Perhaps at a party?"

"I don't go to many parties," I mumble, glancing at my feet.

"Really?" A triumphant smile curves his lips as if I've slipped up and said something wrong. "I'd think the mayor would have you out being seen all over town."

My stomach sinks into my shoes.