She had a feeling it might have been more prudent to have stayed in Switzerland.
CHAPTER 5
The office was set up on the far side of the cabin, a vacant wing that Rachel had learned had been added only in the past year in case Jonas was forced to attend to business from his cabin in Sanctuary rather than the Bureau's offices in D.C.
The three-room wing boasted a large outer office for Rachel, a larger inner one for Jonas and an attached nursery for Amber complete with a Breed nanny to oversee her while Rachel was working.
What more could a personal assistant ask for?
Outside the wing was a large parking area, a sheltered yard with a toddler play set that Amber wouldn't be playing on for quite a while, if ever, and a Breed guard.
All the benefits of the D.C. office complete with additional security. There was no chance of meeting Brandenmore after dark any longer. Nope, all she had to contend with now was Jonas.
After a week of dealing with Jonas in his mating mood, Rachel was starting to wish she simply had to face Brandenmore. She doubted the other man was as completely arrogant as Jonas on a bad day.
"Rachel, if you schedule another appointment with Racert in D.C., we're going to have words." Jonas stepped from the office first thing that morning and glared at her with the promise of retribution gleaming in his eyes.
Rachel lifted her brow once that first breathless, sensually weak feeling that always assailed her when he walked in the room had passed.
"Racert is important to the funds that Senator Tyler is attempting to get approved through the Senate, Jonas, you know that," she reminded him as she kept her attention on the file she was currently adding information to. "I would be more than happy to deny the meetings he requests once you get those funds."
"You're going to begin denying them now," he informed her. "I have an assistant director, you know. Pawn the bastard off on him."
Rachel turned and stared back at Jonas with an expression of mocking disapproval. "We need to discuss your idea of an assistant director. Brim Stone isn't exactly the most tactful choice you could have made. I think his attitude may even be worse than yours. He growled at a congressman's aide yesterday and caused the man to wet himself."
No one ever accused the Breeds of failing to use intimidation to get their way.
"Pawn the damned meeting off on him," Jonas ordered.
"No." Rachel turned back to the file despite the sudden jump of her heart as she made the denial. It was never, ever easy to challenge Jonas Wyatt.
"I know a volcano hungry for a sacrifice," he muttered behind her. "You'd make the perfect candidate."
"Hungry volcanoes only accept virgin maidens," she informed him tartly. "That leaves me out of the running."
She almost grinned at the disgruntled growl that sounded behind her.
"Fine. Pack a bag. You're going with me."
Rachel froze.
She turned to him slowly once again, her fingers still poised on the keys of the electronic display board.
"Excuse me?"
Jonas moved closer, the lean, powerful shift of muscle holding her gaze even as she fought it. Hell, fighting it was becoming harder each day.
"I said, pack a bag. You'll be going with me. For the meeting as well as that insane embassy party you scheduled for me. Afraid to have me at home, mate?"
She swallowed tightly. Actually, she was. She wanted him out of the cabin, at least for a single night--long enough to rebuild the defenses she could feel weakening against him, despite his arrogance.
"I can't leave Amber . . ."
He snorted at that. "Merinus was taking Amber tonight anyway. Did you think Callan wouldn't inform me of that? What did you think you were going to do, Rachel? Get rid of me so you could rid yourself of the desire plaguing you?"
Actually, that had been her plan.
Her lips thinned mutinously. "I have no idea what you're talking about."