Inferno by Adriana Noir

your personal time here or is this the voice of your wise employer talking?”
    His smile slanted into a knowing tilt. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
    “Wow. With warnings like that, it’s a wonder you took this job at all.”
    Laughing, Rupert offered a dismissive shrug. “A man is willing to risk just about anything if the pay is right. Even your iffy driving skills.”
    “Smart ass,” she quipped.
    “Better smart than dumb,” he offered.
    Taylor cleared her throat and peered down over the railing at him with a pointed expression. She fought a smile as his cheeks colored and he flushed.
    “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
    Folding her arms, she cocked her head. “Uh huh. I see how it is. First you attack my driving, then you insult my IQ.”
    He snorted and lowered his shades. “I say this with all politeness, but maybe you should get it checked, Ma’am. There’s obviously something misfiring in that head of yours if you think I would ever stand here and insult you.”
    “That’s interesting,” a soft voice interjected. “I hope that is because you consider yourself a gentleman, Rupert.”
    Taylor startled. Her grip on the railing tightened upon hearing the familiar silken rasp, and she whirled with her heart in her throat to find Sebastian leaning against the open door. His eyes held no hint of emotion as they flickered past her to land on the man stationed in front of them in the yard. The blood drained from Rupert’s face and his throat bobbed as he forced a respectful nod.
    “Good afternoon, sir.”
    “Is it?” Sebastian asked, prowling to the front of the deck to join Taylor’s side.
    She let her eyes drift shut as he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and drew her closer. Warm breath fanned the side of her neck, joining the gentle caress of the wind sweeping off the mountains as he nuzzled her hair out of the way. Despite the heat, she shivered as a very distinct chill settled into her bones.
    “What’s this? No greeting?” Sebastian asked, his voice bearing a hint of hurt and disappointment.
    “Of course there is. You have no idea how much I missed you, handsome.” Turning, Taylor wound her arms around his waist and searched his pale stare. “I didn’t hear them announce you pull in.”
    “Obviously.” He let the word hand between them for several seconds before snaring her chin and stealing a forceful kiss. Releasing her, he took a step back and studied her face. “Is there something I should be concerned about here?”
    Folding his arms, he turned his attention Rupert’s way.
    The hulking Cajun looked a bit taken aback as he gave an adamant shake of his head. “No, sir. Not at all.”
    Capturing his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger, Sebastian stroked it several times in thought before nodding. Taylor held her breath when he seemed to come to a visible conclusion and sauntered over to the rail, his lean body moving with its trademark sway. Her eyes darted to the slight bulge of the pistol strapped to his thigh beneath the hem of his overcoat, and she fought the urge to reach for his arm.
    “I appreciate your friendship and loyalty where my fiancée is concerned, Rupert. I’m aware that you serve her well, but there is a very definite line with me that you do not want to cross. Joking or not, I don’t ever want to hear you insult her again. If you value your job, among other things, you will find a way to be playful without putting her down. Is that clear?”
    “Yes, sir. I’m very sorry, Miss Taylor.”
    “It’s okay, Rupert. No harm done.”
    She hoped. Dear God did she hope.
    She took a quick step back as Sebastian whirled on his heel. In a moment of typical Irish grace, she stumbled over the back of her own feet and caught herself on the rail. Embarrassment flamed in Taylor’s cheeks as her lover’s jaw steeled and he gave an incredulous shake of his head.
    “Go inside before you hurt yourself,” Sebastian ordered dryly.
    Shooting a hard,