Karen Whiddon - A Hunter Under The Mistletoe - All Is Bright / Heat of a Helios

“Miss Kennedy?”

The soft voice pulled her from the dismal memories, the hand on her spine gentle. “Hmm?”

“The treatment is complete. Feel free to stay and relax a bit longer. I’ve left some water on the counter.”

“Thank you.”

Hesitant to let the dreamy state end, Evangeline lay there a few more moments after the door clicked on a quiet close. Try as she might, she couldn’t fully bring back that delicious dream state. Instead, those memories of her parents peeked in, pressing against the edges of her memory with all the finesse of an attack dog.

Her father’s addiction. Her mother’s equally helpless outlook on life. And the loss of both of them by the time she was seven.

“Miss Kennedy.” The knock was soft, yet insistent and Evangeline sat up, pulling the sheet tight around herself.

“Come in.”

Madelina bustled in, her elegant form somehow softened in the muted light and calming music. Where she’d initially seen a militant effectiveness shining in the woman’s eyes before, Evangeline had to admit three hours of pampering had softened the edges of her vision. Madelina had gone from dragon to fairy godmother and she gave her a big smile. “Hello.”

“It looks like my team did their job.”

“They were wonderful.” Evangeline glanced down at her toes where her legs swung against the table. “I even have red toes.”

“Enough to drive a man wild.”

“I’m not… I mean.”

Madelina patted her arm. “It’s always good to be prepared.”

The woman seemed to understand she had nothing to say and bustled on. “Have you had your water?” When she eyed the glass still on the counter, she picked it up and marched it over. “It’s essential to hydrate. Drink up. Then you’ll come with me.”

The cool water, tinged with the refreshing taste of cucumber, was fresh on her tongue as she drank.

“You enjoyed the treatments?”

“I did.” Evangeline set her glass of water down, abstractly wondering if she’d ever tasted anything so good.

“Excellent. Because I’ve made a standing appointment for you monthly.”

“I don’t—” Evangeline broke off, not sure why she was arguing. She’d had a similar thought herself, so why be irritated when someone else did the kindness for her? And yet…

“Mr. Stavros has added it to your employment package.”

That urge to argue flared once more, even if Madelina was simply the messenger, but the woman held up a hand to forestall her.

“Mr. Stavros insists. Spa treatments aren’t simply a frivolity. You’re a woman who works with your body on a regular basis. It’s important to keep it finely tuned.”

“I can pay for it myself.”

Madelina cocked her head, those eyes sharp. Once again, the fleeting image of a dragon floated through Evangeline’s mind before vanishing. “But why do so when your employer presents you with such generosity?”

“It’s frivolous.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, either.” Handing over a fresh glass of water, Madelina pointed to the door. “Drink this, then join me in the salon. Berta will direct you once you leave the room.”

Evangeline watched her go, the conversation unsettling on several levels. She wanted the treatments—had thought that very thing as she lay there, soft and warm and boneless from an awesome massage.

So why complain when it was offered as a job perk?

An image of Rafael Stavros filled her mind’s eye, in clear answer to the question.

Tall and dark, the man was a walking, talking version of sin in the flesh. Mercurial gray eyes. Thick, dark hair. Chiseled features and a body that made her fingers itch. She’d never been a woman to ignore her body’s needs, but she’d also never understood the extremes people went to for attraction.

Rafe Stavros tossed that thought right out his penthouse window. The man was lethally sexy and equally formidable in his business. His father had established a successful casino whose business he and his brother had only shot into the stratosphere. From high-end restaurants to Broadway shows to a casino floor that boasted just enough winners to keep the tables packed, the Archangel had become a must-see destination on the Strip.

And she was part of it.

Draining the rest of her water, Evangeline hopped off the table and stretched like a cat. She hadn’t felt this loose-limbed in oh…about forever.

“So what are you complaining about?”

As she caught sight of herself in the small mirror over the treatment room’s sink, Evangeline had to admit to herself she had no answer.

As the original founder of the Archangel, Michael Stavros had a firm policy. Hire good people and leave them alone to do good work. If you found a gem, you had to respect their genius and leave them alone to do their best work in their own way. Alternatively, if you ended up hiring someone who was lazy, stupid or worse, both—fire their ass on the spot.

Although he and Gabe hadn’t adopted every practice their father employed in his own brand of management, some rules of business were immutable.

Hiring good people was essential.

It was why he’d been so drawn to Evangeline. Her work—and her passion and enthusiasm for that work—had stood out above all else. It had him hiring her on the spot and it had been the thing that kept her on staff even after he discovered her past. If the woman was a Hunter, she was a damn fine actress.

Because in nearly a year, all he’d ever observed was a woman obsessed with the look and feel of his property and very little focus on anything else.

Madelina interrupted his thoughts. “Mr. Stavros. The things you requested are ready.”

“And Evangeline?”

“She’ll be out momentarily.” Madelina hesitated for the briefest moment—at odds with her normally tart tongue—and Rafe’s gaze sharpened on her.

“Yes?”

“She enjoyed the day. Told me as much.”

That hesitation remained and Rafe couldn’t resist probing further. “But?”

“I believe she’s a bit perturbed at the generous monthly addition to her compensation plan.”

“Is she now?”

Madelina only nodded, and he couldn’t hide his broad smile, already anticipating the battle that was sure to ensue.

“Madelina!” Evangeline’s voice echoed from the other side of the door to the interior of the spa moments before the thick oak swung inward. “What is this?”

Evangeline blew through the door, a goddess in full pique, her hands full of dresses. Her hair was pulled back from her face, sticking up at odd angles from the massage. Her face glowed a high pink—heightened by her anger but still rosy from her facial—and the sexiest toes he’d ever seen peeped out from beneath a long spa robe.

“You look well.”

Evangeline shook the dresses at him as Madelina slipped out through the still-swinging door. “Where are my clothes?”

“Laundry, I presume.”

“They were nice clothes. And clean.”

“Now they’ll be cleaner.”

Evangeline tossed the handful of silks onto a nearby couch. “I am perfectly capable of dressing myself. Taking care of myself. Sleeping when I want, working when I want. I do damn fine living my life.”

“What’s wrong with someone showing you some kindness?” Rafe asked.

“Kindness is a day off. Not spa treatments and expensive dresses.” Evangeline bent down and snagged one of the dresses. The move tugged the bodice of her robe ever so slightly and Rafe got a glimpse of tanned skin, tapering into the slope of one breast.

Catching his eye, she snapped the robe closed as she tossed the garment his way. “This is a thousand-dollar dress.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, his gaze flicking briefly to the fabric before taking in the thick, schlumpy fit of the robe. Even covered in acres of terry cloth, she was a vision. “I don’t see a tag.”