Kathryn sat on a buttery-soft leather couch in the office of Mr. Paco Robles, giving him more than a once-over. Across from her sat the right-hand man to the CEO of Drake Global Industries, hiding so many secrets, she wondered just how many he held in that handsome head of his.
They were kindred spirits from the start, during her worst interview ever, when he’d become a last-minute stand-in as her interviewer for an investigative position in insurance fraud with Wolff Investigations, a close partner of Drake Global Industries. Half intending to blow her chances, she’d proclaimed herself a washed-up ER nurse needing a change of pace.
Despite his immaculate attire and unmistakable wealth, Paco had been casual and kind as he asked her a litany of questions, eventually exposing the pain in her heart. And very quickly, she’d understood.
They were one and the same.
Kathryn had gotten the job, and they’d been close in the three years since. But today, she rolled the dice on testing the depths of their friendship. No, she wasn’t sizing him up for a baby-daddy proposition or anything. If only it were that easy.
Somehow, as they brainstormed over the perplexing particulars of her latest case, his innocently asking, “How have you been?” gave her an invitation to spill her deepest, darkest needs.
Then again, it’s Paco. Obvious case of voodoo.
His question was warm, sincere, and rather ordinary in the moment. The man literally asked how she was doing. But he was here. In Colorado. And the opportunity was too good. It wasn’t until she heard her own insane words aloud that she realized the extent of his black-magic truth spell.
“Paco,” she asked, “how much do you know about BDSM?”
As quick as a whip, he charmed her with a smile and blurted out his standard response to any question that started with “How much do you know about . . .” You could fill in the blank with almost anything, and his answer would always be the same.
“Enough to be dangerous,” he answered confidently.
But he was more than a friend. She trusted him. There weren’t many who made that cut, and fewer that she’d let in on the lascivious lockbox of her soul. Besides, it was Paco, tough as nails with a soft side. Like her, he hid his heartbreak behind his smile, and would do anything for a friend. Or almost anything.
Asking him for a favor seemed harmless enough at the time.
“Listen, I’m becoming . . . curious.” Her statement came out more like a question, and his smile just egged her on. “Maybe, you could, um, show me what you know?”
“Kathryn, I’m flattered, and honored, that you’d want me to help you through this journey. But, and maybe I’m slipping in exuding the right aura . . . I’m gay.”
“And that makes this even more perfect.” The unmistakable confusion on his face prompted her to explain. “I’m just learning the ropes. Literally, right? And I don’t even know if this is something I really want or will like. And without a doubt, I don’t want to muddle my emotions with s-e-x. I’m going in scientifically. From a . . . clinical perspective.”
His eyebrows rose, clearly shouting bullshit without a word.
Kathryn sighed. “Fine. I admit, I’m not really sure what I want. Maybe just to explore a little.”
“Or a lot?”
She huffed out a laugh. “Or a lot.”
Grinning, he stood and scooped her up into a bear hug, dropping the sweetest kiss to her temple.
“Paternal head kiss,” she mumbled against his chest. “It’s the nicest letdown I’ve ever had.”
Without letting go, he squeezed tighter. “I hope you know me better than that. I don’t do disappointment. I find workarounds. And, Ms. Kathryn Chase, I’d like to propose one hell of a counteroffer.”