Burned by Passion by Dez Burke

things only for what she could get out of it. She also probably looked down with disdain at anyone she considered not lucky enough to be as rich as she was.
    If only he could stop thinking about Kira and her inexplicable aversion to him. He’d never had to handle rejection from a woman he desired and he hated being thwarted. One taste of Kira could never be enough but if she hated him so much then what hell of a chance did he have with her?
    Damn it to hell! He fumed as he downed his glass of wine. No woman was worth all this aggravation.
    That was what Blake was telling himself when then the object of his dark thoughts walked in – but not alone.
    Kira was in the company of the dark-skinned and tall man whom he recognized from the party. Blake’s eyes narrowed into thin slits as his mood went from bad to murderous. What were the odds that they’d be in the same restaurant at the same time? He watched in irritation as Kira smiled up at her companion.
    Blake felt irrational for thinking that she might have followed them. After all, this was a very popular cafe which was also close to the office. There was nothing to do but ignore them, he decided.
    Obviously that wasn’t going to be so easy, especially with Brittany’s next words. “Ohhh, there’s your father’s secretary. And that’s her boyfriend, Terrence.”
    “You know him?” Blake asked, despite himself.
    Brittany shrugged disinterestedly. “I’ve seen him around a few times when I came by the office to see your father. He’s a reporter for one of those gossip rags. Not a bad sort actually.”
    She smiled and then seemed to notice Blake’s deep scowl. Brittany’s mind went back to the party as she recalled seeing Terrence in attendance with Kira. She hadn’t forgotten how Kira had gone after Blake when he’d left the dining room in a huff. She’d wondered then about it, but hadn’t given it more thought. Right then however, she couldn’t help but notice the attention Blake was giving the striking African-American couple’s table. Her instincts warned her there was more to the whole matter than met the eye and she intended to keep on the watch especially where her own interests were concerned…
     
    ***
     
    Terrence picked that moment to glance around the tastefully furnished dining section and then murmured in surprise, “Well look who’s here!” he muttered theatrically. “If it isn’t the newest Mr. Eligible Bachelor with Ms. Glamour Girl!”
    Kira smiled and looked up to see who Terrence was talking about. He was always one for dramatics. But when Kira spotted Blake and Brittany she almost choked on her salmon. Damn it! It was like everywhere she went, he showed up; first in the elevator and now here. She should never have agreed to meet with Terrence when he insisted he wanted to bring her to this pricey restaurant for lunch.
    Seeing Blake with that pompous bitch Brittany had been more hurtful than Kira would’ve expected, back there when she’d seen the blonde get into Blake’s Aston Martin. They’d seemed like the picture perfect couple and Kira remembered grinding her teeth in part fury, part despair. She could keep lying to herself that Blake didn’t matter, but she knew in her heart that something real was blossoming against her wishes and she wasn’t sure how to stop it. Now they were here together and things couldn’t be more awkward.
    Terrence was going on in his usual ironic tone, “Hmm…if they’re going to become an item it’s going to make gossip headlines. Maybe I should call a few contacts to keep me updated on who is screwing who where they’re concerned.”
    “Hush!” Kira bit out. “That’s my boss’s son you’re talking about!”
    “Hey, what?” Terrence said with a laugh. “What’s got you all fired up?”
    Well, nothing actually, she thought, nothing but that sexy bastard who tries to soften me up one minute and the next he’s got Little Ms. Perfect on his arm. Whatever regret she’d felt when