The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

was afraid she’d break into sobs at his desk. That tough exterior really was nothing more than an act. And Lord help him if he wasn’t a sucker for a crying woman.
    â€œYou’re trustworthy. I can see it in your eyes. This may sound ludicrous to you, but this fragrance is about taking back my power. I need this. And if we can help each other, why not?”
    He knew he’d regret his words, but they came tumbling out anyway. “I’ll do what I can.”
    She smiled all the way to her eyes, and Jesse knew his troubles with Daphne Sweeten were a lot bigger than his budget.

Chapter 4
    D aphne had laid all her cards on the table and realized shortly thereafter that she had far fewer reasons to trust Jesse Lightner than she did Mark . . . and look how that had turned out. Mark used to tell her she tended to give the game away in negotiation, offering up too much information up front. How ironic that his best advice would echo in her ear a moment too late.
    She’d always found his take on negotiation, and people in general, to be slightly paranoid. He’d certainly kept his cards close to his chest when it came to his wedding escape.
    â€œMaybe I should do this myself,” she said as she lifted the cobalt bottle from the desk.
    â€œYou made this scent for your wedding?”
    She nodded.
    â€œThe one that didn’t happen, I’m assuming.”
    â€œYes.” She supposed that was the only thing that could be worse: having two weddings that didn’t happen. She wished she could run from view and hide the red heat she felt on her face.
    â€œWell,” Jesse said, stacking papers on his desk, “I’m sorry that happened, but it appears you and I are meant to work together for this season.”
    He looked sincere, and she appreciated that. Though at this point, alone in a city she didn’t know, she’d probably cling to any port in her current storm.
    Jesse wasn’t hard on the eyes. His soft smile implied empathy, but not pity. As her superior he was off limits, but it didn’t hurt to look.
    â€œI just need you to stay until Christmas,” he said.
    When she looked at him, he shrugged.
    â€œYou were straight with me. I figure being straight with you is the least I can do. It will build some trust between us. This is how trust is formed.”
    â€œBy being bad negotiators?”
    He laughed. “Why not? It doesn’t appear either one of us has a choice presently, so we may as well prove our combined worth.”
    She never should have shown him the cologne, nor let him know she had nowhere to go. She could apply for other jobs. She had options. Why did she make herself sound so completely pathetic?
    â€œI’ll do what I can for your cologne. Bob’s our packaging expert. I’ll tell him this is private; you can trust him. In return, you’ll stay through Christmas. Is it a deal?”
    Jesse reached out his hand, but her eyes were locked on the tattoo wedding band.
    â€œIt’s a deal.” Christmas was only six months away. It would take her that long to find a decent placement.
    The phone in his office rang, and he looked toward the display. “Excuse me, I need to get this.” He lifted the phone. “Jesse Lightner.” He paused and twisted around in his chair so he faced the window. “Sure, send her in. I’ll have her take Daphne to the lab.” He turned back around and put the phone down. “Good news. Marketing has arrived and is going to tour the lab with you while I get some paperwork done. We’ll meet for lunch and talk about your first assignment. Maybe we can find an emotional aspect to dishwashing after all.”
    He tried to hand her the cologne bottle.
    â€œDon’t you need it for packaging?”
    â€œRight.”
    He curled his hand around the bottle, and she tried to decipher if he’d ever pick it up again. Six months wasn’t a lot of time; she’d make good