Burned Deep by Calista Fox Page B

interview, right? Except that it was also dinner, and I’d dressed that part, hadn’t I? I should have played it safe and simple and worn a business suit.
    As I waded through my confused thoughts, the spiffed-to-the-hilt gentleman opened my door and greeted me with a friendly smile. “Welcome, Miss DeMille.”
    I slipped from the leather seat, staring up at the gorgeous facade of 10,000 Lux.
    â€œMr. Bax is waiting for you just inside the entrance. I’ll escort you.”
    My breathing turned shallow. I hoped like hell I didn’t botch this. I was already nervous over the fact that I’d applied for a position here and, of course, seeing Dane.
    Or, more accurately, having dinner with Dane. Being alone with Dane. Being within fifty feet of Dane.
    I had no delusions; I knew I was in over my head. Did that stop me from proceeding with caution? No. I was too sexually charged, too intrigued, to give in to my wary side.
    The valet pulled open one of the tall wood-trimmed glass doors and gestured for me to lead the way. I stepped into the lobby, doing everything in my power to appear calm and collected. No-go, really.
    Holy shit.
    There he stood.
    Dane Bax.
    I couldn’t breathe again.
    Only he could outshine and outclass his surroundings.
    I could probably come up with some clever and evocative words to describe the inside of 10,000 Lux. At the moment, all I saw was the veined creamy marble floor that led straight to Dane. It took several seconds for anything else to register.
    He stood alongside a gorgeous round mahogany table that served as the focal point of the lobby and that likely would fill my living and dining room combo. A gold, silver, and copper-painted vase about as tall as I was in heels stood sentinel in the middle of the table, filled with ecru blooms and dripping verdant leaves. Above it hung the mammoth chandelier. Others decorated the ornately designed ceiling, defying gravity throughout the cavernous reception area. All impressive, but the main fixture was a showstopper.
    My wide-eyed gaze dropped to Dane. He glanced up from his iPhone and our gazes locked. He grinned. The ultra-sexy one that was really just the hint of a smile.
    My heart skipped a few necessary beats.
    â€œGood evening,” he said in a somewhat formal tone.
    I lost my voice again.
    The grin deepened—he must have known he left me speechless.
    He took several long strides toward me, since I’d barely made it through the doors when I’d gone into shock. Everything was just so … perfect.
    Especially him.
    Dressed in a black suit with a pewter shirt opened at the neck, he was devilishly handsome. His hair was a tousled mess, wildly stylish. His emerald eyes glowed warmly, invitingly.
    â€œThat will be all, Brandon,” he said to the valet, dismissing him.
    â€œOf course. If you need anything, Mr. Bax, I’ll be right out front.”
    Not that he had guests to assist. Must be a quick slip outside for discretionary purposes.
    â€œAre you all right?” Dane asked as he regarded me closely.
    â€œSure,” I managed to say. Then, hoping to break the ice, I added, “Should I be wearing a hard hat?”
    He chuckled, low and deep. The sound resonated within me, heightening my arousal. How was that even possible? I was absurdly turned on from just the sight of him.
    â€œYou’re safe, I assure you. The construction’s complete in the main building. We’re just finishing decorating of the suites upstairs and the penthouse. The casitas on the back portion of the property and the indoor aquatic center and its two restaurants are still being built.”
    â€œI was thinking more along the lines of the chandelier.” I spared another glance at the one we stood under. “Looks like it’d wipe out an entire village if it fell.”
    â€œI promise it’s not going anywhere.”
    â€œRight. Okay.” Butterflies got the best of me. I was nothing but a