Page 25 of Help Wanted

“Hey, beautiful,” he said. He was a big flirt, but she had to admit she did like being called beautiful. “How’s it going?”

Paul rolled his eyes behind Brady’s back.

“She’s doing a great job. We should let her get back to it,” Paul suggested, sparing her.

“You only think I’m doing a great job because you both got paid on Friday.”

Brady winked at her.

“Keep it coming, and we’ll get along just fine.”

“You’re easy men to please,” she joked.

“You have no idea.” Brady’s look turned more devilish than payroll humor. He raised his eyebrows in a way that made her stomach flip. Crap. Their innocent banter had moved to the next level.

He was still leaning against the corner of her desk, and his leg was all but touching hers as he bent closer to look into her eyes. Oh boy.

She licked her lips, and then realized that was stupid when his gaze moved to her lips. Did he think she wanted him to kiss her? Did she? No.

She’d hoped for someone sweet who would be gentle her first time out of the corral. She needed training-wheels sex. She couldn’t handle the ex-military playboy. He wouldn’t be training wheels. He would be top-fuel dragster.

“Brady?” Zane’s voice made Kenley jump as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. Brady didn’t move from his position as he looked up at Zane with an easy smile on his face.

She heard Paul mutter something that sounded like, “Now you’ve done it.”

“Got a minute?” Zane asked, his voice tight. Unfortunately she recognized this as his pissed-off voice.

“Sure, boss.” Brady winked at her as he straightened. “He’s sending me away tomorrow, but I’ll stop in to visit the next time I’m home.”

“O–okay.” Why did her voice sound so breathy? “Have a safe trip.”

“Will do.” He tipped his ball cap in her direction, causing her to swallow loudly.

“Brady?” Zane repeated.

“Right behind you,” he said with another wink at her. As he walked down the hall toward impending doom, she noticed he had a slight limp. Like a sexy cowboy from a movie.

Heaven help her.

* * *

Brady followed Zane down the hall, preparing himself for battle. Or for a convincing rendition of it. He’d seen the way Zane acted around Kenley and knew he’d never take a shot unless he was forced into it. Brady was going to help the process along.

“What the hell was that?” Zane barked as soon as the door to his office was closed.

“I think it’s called laying the ground work.” Brady shrugged as if it made perfect sense, and held in his grin. He needed Zane to believe he was really interested in Kenley.

Not that she wasn’t pretty. She was. She just didn’t do anything for him. Mostly because she seemed like the type who would want a commitment. A nice girl.

He didn’t do nice girls. He didn’t have the time or energy to put into a relationship.

“No. No laying ground work with Kenley.” Zane shook his head and pointed at Brady to make his point.

“Are you saying you’re calling her? Because if you are, I’ll back off. But if you’re not going to make a move, I am. She’s hot as hell.” He made a move with his pelvis that made Zane’s eyes widen. Maybe it was a bit too much. Zane looked as if he might have ripped Brady’s head off if there hadn’t been a desk between them. Good, it was working.

“Have you ever heard of a little thing called sexual harassment in the workplace? If she feels uncomfortable, she can file a complaint and I’ll have to fire you.”

Brady swallowed, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. He needed this job.