Fresh Temptation

the door to make sure Rhonda was out of earshot, then he reentered Cara’s office and shut the door.
    “Okay, she’s fishing,” Gary said. “That’s why I invited myself to lunch, to make sure you don’t say anything.”
    Cara smirked. “I didn’t mean to tell her anything, I swear. She looked at my computer—”
    “No, no, no. I didn’t mean you were untrustworthy. She’s just that nosy. She’ll trick you.”
    “I don’t get it. Why is this such a big deal to everyone around here? It makes me uncomfortable.”
    “It’s because of Alexis Whitt. I’ve suspected for a while she has some spies around here but I don’t know who they are. Could be Rhonda. Either her, or someone in accounting, I think. Someone who sees purchase orders and human resources activity.” He stared off at the wall, suddenly deep in thought. “Yeah, it’d have to be.”
    “So, that’s why I have to be careful who I talk to and what I say? Because Alexis has spies around here?”
    He shrugged. “Well, that, and the fact that Mr. Barboza’s always a topic of conversation. I mean, think about it. He’s young and single. Of the three partners here at Monarch, he’s the only one who doesn’t have a whole department reporting to him. He has me, and now you.” Gary chuckled. “Believe me, rumors were flying when he hired me, too.”
    “You mean, people thought…you and him?”
    “Yes.” He nodded. “Yes, they did. And it didn’t help that I made the mistake of telling someone how hot I thought he was.”
    Cara laughed out loud. “Oh no.”
    “Yes.” Gary let out an exasperated sigh. “I won’t make that mistake again. The rumors were already going but I sure didn’t help. That’s when I found out how much Mr. Barboza likes to stay out of the office gossip. He doesn’t care what people say until it affects him somehow, and one of the other partners mentioned it to him. That’s when he sat me down and told me he didn’t have time for drama and he expected me to keep everything private in this office.”
    “He actually approached you about it?”
    “Yes. But the odd thing is, he thought it was kind of funny that anyone thought he and I were an item.” He chuckled for a few moments then cleared his throat. “We had a similar talk before you started. He wanted to make sure the rumors were kept to a minimum. He said it was to keep you from feeling uncomfortable around here.” He smiled. “Mr. Barboza cares very much about your comfort.”
    Cara put her elbows on her desk, palms against her forehead. “I don’t know what to think, Gary! This is crazy! A few weeks ago I didn’t even know him and now I work for him? He cares about my comfort? Whatever that means.” She groaned. “And he wants to take me on an overnight trip.” She looked up at him. “ Tomorrow . I’ve only worked here for a week but he wants me to travel with him, tomorrow ? What’s going on? Is it because of Alexis? He wants revenge on her that badly?”
    Gary shook his head. “Honey, I really don’t know what to tell you.” He winked. “But if I were you, I’d be on the plane tomorrow.” He reached for the door. “I have to go take care of a few things before lunch. See you at noon.”
    Cara’s first instinct was to calm her nerves by calling Marcy, but she could already hear Marcy’s voice saying, “Loosen up and take the trip.”
    Maybe she’s right. Cara felt her palms sweating as she imagined being alone with Victor in close quarters.

Chapter Nine
     
    Silence. Two whole minutes of silence had passed since either Cara or Victor had spoken a word. Neither had anticipated the sexually charged thoughts that would go through each of their minds as they sat across from each other on the small plane.
    To distract herself, Cara spread out the Lochmere file on the tiny table between them and pored over the documents for the tenth time. Every time she looked at him, Victor was either staring at her or gazing out the window like he was annoyed with her.
    Do I want him to make a move? That was the question she pondered since yesterday morning’s meeting…including a very restless night; she had lain wide awake for hours, tossing and turning as fantasies consumed her.
    Victor put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “You sure you don’t want a drink? It might help.”
    “No.” Caught off-guard, Cara gasped under her breath. Every time he moved she caught a subtle hint of his cologne. It didn’t seem like his