Fresh Temptation

hard.”
    “Strangers aren’t this nice to each other for no reason.”
    Victor sat up straight, then leaned forward for emphasis. Why is she so resistant? His gut feeling told him there was something more than a stubborn personality, but his only concern right now was getting her to say she’d take the job. This sexy, luscious woman had captured his attention like no woman had in years. “Don’t worry about my reasons. Just do the right thing for your family.” Hastily, he took a pen and scribbled on a nearby notepad. “I’m writing down a number. You tell me if this annual salary is acceptable to you.” When he finished, he shoved the paper across the desk.
    Cara’s eyes grew wide when she saw the figure. It was almost double what she made in Chicago. “I don’t know if I can live up to this. I’m pretty sure the head of my department didn’t even make this much money at my last job.”
    “Cost of living. It’s much higher here than Chicago. Come on. We can use someone with your skills.”
    “The cost of living isn’t that much higher here.”
    He put his hands on his desk, fingers laced together. “In these situations you’re supposed to negotiate a higher salary, not a lower one.”
    “I guess I’m not like most people.”
    “No, you’re not. That’s why I need to hire you. Come on. Say you’ll work for me.”
    She leaned forward in her chair, staring at the scrap of paper atop his desk. Her voice was weak. “Yes. I’ll work for you. I’ll do my best to live up to your high expectations.”
    “Great.” He displayed a grin, not the beaming smile he hid inside. “You can start on Monday.
    “Monday? I can start tomorrow morning if you’d like.”
    “No. Please take the rest of the week to care for your son.” Victor smiled. “And tell him Big Toe says hi.”
    Cara blushed at the remembrance of his conversation with her son. She nervously bit her bottom lip. “That’s it? We’re finished with the interview?”
    His jaw firmly set, he confidently said, “Yes, that’s it.” He knew he should have kept the interview going a little longer but she’d caught him off guard with her own line of questions. “Oh, and here.” He pulled an envelope out of his top drawer and handed it to her. “It’s a small advance. It’ll be withheld from your upcoming paychecks at a rate you can determine when you fill out your new hire paperwork.” His friend at the IRS had informed him that most of the employees at Doyle Construction had not been paid in a while.
    She peeked inside the envelope and let out a tiny gasp. “Are you sure? Is this because you feel bad about—”
    “Ms. Green, if we’re going to have a good working relationship, you’re going to have to stop asking so many questions about how I do business. Your job will be to streamline our public relations. Employee benefits are determined elsewhere.”
    “Okay…if you’re sure about this.”
    “Absolutely.” He turned to his computer, typing. “I’m sending an email to HR. Take the elevator down to the third floor and follow the signs to the main HR reception area. They’ll get you all set up.” He finished typing and stood. “Now, let me show you out and I’ll see you Monday.”
    They both walked to the door. Cara said, “Thank you again,” and reached down to turn the knob at the same time as Victor. When his hand covered hers, she inhaled a gasp in embarrassment, expecting him to move.
    But Victor’s eyes caught hers. His hand lingered for a moment before he took it away. “See you Monday.”
    He was still looking into her eyes when she opened the door to leave.
     
    * * *
     
    Marcy and Patty bombarded Cara the instant she walked through the door.
    Marcy yelped in excitement and took the giant Macy’s bag full of clearance rack clothes from Cara’s arm. “Tell me everything! Tell me everything!”
    Patty took her daughter’s wrist and pulled her into the living room. “Yes! Don’t leave out a thing.”
    Cara unbuttoned her blazer and kicked off her shoes. “Where’s Isaac?”
    “Don’t worry,” Patty said. “I finally got him to take a nap a few minutes ago. He’s fine. Come on. What happened?”
    Marcy sat on the couch, dumping the contents of the bag beside her. “Holy cow! The new job must be upscale. Look at these.”
    Cara, in a daze, shook her head and took a seat on the opposite side of her new pile of clothes. “No, they were all on sale.”
    Patty sat in the recliner, her eyes huge