Barbara Dunlop: Transformed Into The Frenchman's Mistress / Bargained Into Her Boss's Bed

“Alec doesn’t yell,” said Raine. “He stews. He plots. He might methodically bankrupt you. But he doesn’t yell.”

“So, I’ve pushed him over the edge.” Charlotte needed to go clear the air. She couldn’t leave things hanging between them like this. She subconsciously started toward the front door.

“It appears you have,” Raine mused, giving Charlotte a considering look as she fell into step beside her. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Like what?” Charlotte stalled, not wanting to lie to her friend, but really not wanting to admit she was attracted to Alec. It was so cliché, so tiresome.

“Like maybe he made a pass at you? And you turned him down. Alec’s not used to hearing the word no.”

“I guess not,” Charlotte chuckled.

“So, did he?” asked Raine, keeping her voice low.

“Make a pass at me?”

Raine elbowed her in the ribs. “Are you avoiding the question?”

“Pretty much.”

“He did.” Raine linked her arm with Charlotte, steering her down the walkway, through a wooden gate and into a secluded garden where they sat down at a white-painted, wrought-iron table next to a trickling fountain. “So, you said no?” There was a fiendish glee in Raine’s wide grin.

“Not exactly,” Charlotte admitted, setting down her purse and the small bag.

Her friend’s eyes went wide. “You said yes?”

“I didn’t really say anything.”

“Oh my God. You two—”

“No!” Then Charlotte lowered her voice. “No. We didn’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

“We kissed.” Charlotte sat back in the straightbacked chair. “We kissed, okay?”

“So, why’s he mad at you?”

“I’m guessing it’s because the crane broke your driveway.”

Raine toyed with a tiny leaf that had blown onto the grid-work table. “Trust me when I tell you Alec doesn’t yell over broken driveways. And what was that thing with Jack hitting him?”

“You got me,” said Charlotte, more than happy to move off the kiss. “Does Alec beat up anyone who yells at you?”

“No one’s ever yelled at me. At least not in front of Alec.” Raine paused. “And, actually, no, people don’t tend to yell at me.”

“That’s because you’re sweet and kind,” said Charlotte, only half joking.

“I’m starting to think it’s because I have a pit bull for a brother.”

Charlotte laughed. “You think he warned them off?”

“Maybe. But let’s get back to the kiss. Tell me about it.”

“Nothing to tell,” Charlotte lied. It had been a kiss for the record books, and she’d been avoiding Alec ever since.

“Where were you? How did it happen?”

“We were on the balcony at one of the rental houses.”

“And he just up and kissed you?”

“He thought I was crying.”

Raine frowned. “That doesn’t sound right.”

“I was actually laughing,” said Charlotte, forcing her mind to back away from the memory.

“Alec doesn’t give sympathy kisses.”

“You know about all his kisses, do you?”

“I have heard tales.”

“Well, you’re not going to hear any more tales from me.” Charlotte sighed and got to her feet. “I’d better get out there and see what’s going on. Alec’s right. I did promise to take care of things.” She picked up her purse. “I guess our fun’s over.”

“Uh-uh.” Raine shook her head in denial. “I’m definitely going to talk to him.”

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Charlotte protested. She had a job to do here, and she was going to take care of it.

“You don’t need to watch every move they make,” said Raine. “I’m not going to let him keep you prisoner here for weeks on end.”

“ I’ll talk to him,” said Charlotte. “Later.” After Alec had a chance to calm down, they’d have a discussion and set out the parameters of her role in the film. She had an obligation to him, and she was going to live up to it.

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