Kindling Flames: Flying Sparks (The Ancient Fire Series Book 2) by Julie Wetzel Page A

for something in the back of the cabinet under the TV.
    “Why?” He looked up in concern. His heart thumped when his eyes landed on his assistant. She looked wonderful in the light yellow baby-doll shirt and bell-bottom jeans. She had braided up her hair to hide the damaged section. That, coupled with the way the low neckline framed her chest and neck, leaving a large amount of skin exposed, thrilled him. Darien shook his head a little to drive the errant thoughts out.
    “One of the burns didn’t heal,” Vicky answered and held out her hand.
    Getting up from the floor, he took her outstretched palm and looked at the round, red spot. Darien covered her hand with his and closed his eyes.
    She felt the familiar warmth engulf her hand. Heat shot through the burn, and she made a pained noise.
    The warmth immediately stopped, and Darien looked at her with concern in his green eyes. “Did that hurt?”
    “Just a little,” Vicky admitted.
    “That’s not good.” Darien pulled her over to the window so he could get more light on the wound. He carefully touched the burn, and Vicky winced in pain again. “Let’s get this covered.”
    He led her into the half-bath off the family room and sat her on the toilet. The marble in here was the same white as in both the kitchen and her bathroom upstairs. Darien pulled out a medical kit from under the sink. In no time, he had her bandaged up again. “Let me know if that gets any worse.” He looked down at the bandage with concern.
    “I will.” Vicky rubbed the padding over the wound. “Thank you.”
    Looking up at the man watching her, she added, “Um… I’m going out with the girls to get some new clothing.” There was something about the way he gazed at her that made her turn her eyes down to study the marble pattern on the floor before continuing. “Would it be okay if I brought them back afterwards?” Vicky glanced back to see his reaction.
    Darien smiled at her. “Of course, this is your home now. You can bring in anyone you want.” His smiled darkened just a hint. “But this is my home, too, so I hold the right to throw anyone I don’t like out.”
    Vicky blanched a little at the warning in his voice. “I promise they won’t be a bother.” She stood up as Darien backed out of the bathroom. Slipping past him, she headed back to her room.
    Watching her patter barefoot across the floor, he let out a contented sigh as she disappeared up the steps. He liked seeing her barefoot. Darien leaned against the doorjamb and waited.
    It was only a few minutes before Vicky came back down in her new sandals. “I’ll be right down,” she said into the phone before hanging up. She stopped on the steps as soon as her eyes found Darien leaning against the wall. “Um… I’m leaving now.” She continued down to the foyer.
    “Have a good time.” He pushed away from the wall and walked to meet her at the bottom of the steps.
    Her heart thumped as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Vicky swallowed, not sure how to respond to his tenderness. Part of her brain told her he was a great guy and she should go with it, another part told her he was her boss and she should proceed with caution, and the rest of it screamed that he was a vampire and she should get the hell out of there as fast as she could.
    Darien could see the mix of emotions in her eyes and backed up to press the button for the elevator.
    “I will.” She breathed a little easier in the space he had given her.
    “Don’t strain yourself,” Darien warned as she stepped into the elevator. “You’re still recovering.”
    Vicky nodded her agreement.
    He held the door open and pinned her with a sharp look. “I want you to use the petty cash to replace your wardrobe.”
    Vicky gaped at him. “I can’t do that,” she protested. “It wouldn’t be right.”
    “You’re going to get clothing for work, yes?” Darien raised an eyebrow at her.
    Vicky shifted from foot to foot under his scrutiny.