Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,60

and took a tiny step forward to break their below-the-belt contact. Her gaze scanned the room and spotted a woman at the bar eying them curiously. "Who's that woman in the black dress?"

He followed her gaze. "Veronica, my assistant. You've met her before."

That was Veronica Fields? Legs that went up to the moon and a rack barely contained in her dress? Raven had met her before, years ago, long before she became Noah's right hand in business. She didn't remember her being this…sultry. Her blonde hair was in a loose, sexy knot on top of her head, fingernails red as she strummed them on the bar. Even her eye makeup was applied to enhance her mysterious, smoky lure.

"What's wrong?"

Raven turned away from the woman, not liking the surge of envy. "Nothing. She's beautiful."

Noah glanced over at Veronica as if considering her statement. "Yes, she is. Does that bother you?"

She was shocked to find it did. Day in and day out, he worked beside that woman who was everything Raven wasn't. Not better, just different. Veronica called him at all hours, too.

"Have you slept with her?" Swiftly shutting her eyes, she rubbed her forehead. Her cheeks heated in mortification. Dear God. She'd just become one of those women, too insecure to release her claws from her man. "Don't answer that. It was out of line."

Turning her to face him, he rubbed his thumbs under her jaw. "Have not slept with her and never plan to. I keep business and personal separate." He studied her face and slowly shook his head as if awed by what he found. "I never thought I'd say this, but your jealousy is hot. It bothers you that I may have been with her."

She drew in a slow breath and exhaled. "Jealousy is not hot. It's a cover up for lack of confidence." Which she'd never had before. How unbecoming. And all over a ten second glance from halfway across the room. "I don't know what's wrong with me." For all she knew, Veronica was happily married. Or a lesbian. Or asexual.

A smile softened his eyes. "Jealousy means you're invested. In us, in this. And though you have absolutely nothing to worry about, I like knowing you don't want me with anyone else. Reverse the roles and I might go a little caveman if another guy hit on you." He kissed her forehead. "Relax, baby. You're the only woman on my radar."

Well, hell. Someone mop up the puddle she just melted into.

They got separated later when he went to refresh his drink and she got pulled into a conversation with the wives of some crab fisherman. Just before dinner, while among of group of men who worked for Noah, he set the vibration off in her panties. Engrossed in the story one of the guys was telling, she was too shocked to hide her gasp.

"Are you okay?" The youngest one, an attractive young man in his early twenties who did fishing charters, touched her back.

Noah set off the panties again.

She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. At the last minute, she grabbed her ankle. "I'm good. Just twisted my ankle. Darn heels." She laughed to play it off, and the conversation continued.

She narrowed her eyes at Noah in warning. He raised his glass and grinned.

Dinner involved discussions on the increase in seal population. The salmon was delicious, along with wild rice and steamed broccoli. Noah hated the vegetable and she could tell he was itching to move it to her plate like they'd do if at home. Afterward, while he was called up to say a few words, Veronica slid over to claim the spot next to Raven.

"We met a long time ago, but I'm Veronica."

She forced a smile. "Raven. I remember. You did a nice job planning the event." Noah wouldn't have been involved in the fine details of the evening, which meant this was Veronica's doing. Raven respected how much time and effort went into putting together these affairs.

"Thanks." She watched Noah, tilting her head toward Raven. "You’re the first date he's brought in the five years we've been doing this." She paused to flick her a glance. "I know how close you guys are. I'm glad you came."

It kind of made it hard to dislike the pretty vixen if she was nice. Focusing on Noah, who asked the orchestra to begin, she fumbled with what to say. "How late do these things usually go?" Because as Noah strode closer, all she wanted