Seduced by the Bachelor Page 13

  “Forget it. I’m not going. Send someone else.”

  “What about the bonus?”

  “What about it? It’s just money. I can always make more.”

  A silver Bentley with personalized license plates cut Tatiyana off on Wilshire Boulevard, and she smacked her horn. It felt good, relieved some of her frustration, so she did it again. Stopping at the intersection, she dragged a hand through her lush, loose waves. Wanting to look professional, she’d selected a purple, A-line dress, tasteful accessories and high-heel sandals. Cross-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, and a gold necklace adorned her neck. She’d worked at the clinic for only four days, but Tatiyana enjoyed being at the office and admired the hard-working team of nurses and doctors.

  “Daphne, sorry, but I’m not going. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

  “Very well.” Her voice was stiff, cold, her disappointment evident in her tone. “I’ll call Markos back, tell him you’re no longer employed at Staffing Unlimited and refund his money.”

  Swerving to the left, she narrowly avoided hitting the curb, and pulled her Jeep onto the shoulder. “W-w-wait. Hold on a sec,” she stammered, pressing her Bluetooth closer to her ear. “You’re firing me because I don’t want to work for Markos Morretti?”

  An awkward silence followed. Tatiyana heard a door slam, papers ruffle and knew Daphne was in her office doing paperwork.

  “It’s nothing personal. It’s business.”

  Tatiyana shouted her words. “I thought we were friends!”

  “So did I, but if you were my friend, you wouldn’t screw me over.”

  “Daphne, don’t say things like that. It’s not true. I’d never do that.”

  “Yes, it is. If you don’t go to LA Family Law, it will make me look bad, unprofessional and you of all people know how hard I’ve worked to build my business.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “No, you don’t understand,” Daphne shot back. “Everything isn’t always about you, Tatiyana. Sometimes you have to put your feelings aside to help someone else.”

  A cold chill stabbed her flesh. Tatiyana started to argue, but swallowed her retort. She wanted to tell Daphne about Jantel’s baby-daddy drama, the real reason why she’d traveled to Tampa, and her hot, weekend fling with Markos, but she couldn’t risk her friend blabbing to the other women in the office. Daphne loved gossip more than chocolate, and Tatiyana didn’t want the world to know her business.

  Rubbing her throbbing temples, Tatiyana considered her options. She wanted to see Markos again, but feared what would happen if they were alone. She desired him and had to restrain herself from diving into his arms whenever he was around. Pressing her eyes shut, she dismissed the thought. Her focus was supposed to be on helping Jantel, not on Markos—

  “Please, Tatiyana? This is the last favor I’ll ever ask you. I swear on my Jimmy Choos.”

  “Fine, fine, I’ll go. Quit twisting my arm.”

  Daphne cheered. “I knew you’d come around!”

  “Just make sure you mail my bonus today,” she said with a laugh.

  “I’ll do it this afternoon. I promise. Thanks, girl. I really appreciate this.”

  Tatiyana checked her rearview mirror, pulled into the left lane and punched the gas. “When does Markos want me to start?”

  “Now. He’s expecting you at LA Family Law by nine, so step on it!”

  * * *

  LA Family Law, one of the most prestigious firms in the state, resembled a high-end art gallery, and as Tatiyana stepped off the elevator and entered the lobby, she was struck by the tranquil ambience. The air smelled of peppermint, pendant lamps lit up the space, and Bach was playing softly in the background. Sculptures were displayed on raised, glass tables, framed paintings of world monuments beautified the ivory walls and the all-white furniture made the office look chic, as if it belonged in an issue of an architectural design magazine. Men in designer suits, clutching coffee mugs and cell phones, breezed by, and a group of middle-aged women stood in front of the water cooler, speaking in hushed tones.

  Catching sight of her reflection in the wall mirror, Tatiyana raked a hand through her hair, and adjusted her dress. During the twenty-minute drive to LA Family Law, she’d fretted about working at the firm, and couldn’t shake the feeling she was making a mistake.

  “What can I help you with?”

  Tatiyana regarded the petite brunette in the black pantsuit glaring at her. Her makeup was flawless, her hair was piled on top of her head in a bun and her turquoise accessories complemented her outfit. Tatiyana recalled meeting the paralegal last week, when she’d surprised Markos in his office, but couldn’t recall her name. “Good morning. I’m Tatiyana,” she said, wearing her best smile. “Staffing Unlimited sent me over. I’m the new secretary.”

  The other woman offered her hand in greeting. “I’m Izzy Braunstein. Markos’s kick-ass paralegal and personal assistant. Welcome to LA Family Law, Tatiyana. You’re going to love it here.”

  Smiling, the women shook hands.

  “So,” she drawled, raising an eyebrow. “Tell me more about you and Markos.”

  “There’s nothing to tell.”

  Unfazed, Izzy pumped her for information, asking personal, intimate questions about Markos, but Tatiyana raised her hand in the air, putting an end to her game of twenty questions.

  “We’re not dating. He’s helping me with a legal matter. That’s it.”

  “I figured as much.” Izzy shrugged. “You’re not his type.”

  Not his type? What did that mean? What kind of women did he like? Tatiyana didn’t know if it was a dig or not, but she refrained from asking the questions on the tip of her tongue. They were at work, after all, not at the local pub during happy hour, and she didn’t want Izzy to think she was romantically interested in Markos.

  Izzy gave her a tour of the office, showing her how to answer the phones, and sign into the computer. “Now that you know the ropes, let’s have lunch.”

  “Lunch? But I haven’t done anything yet.”

  “I know, isn’t it great?” Giggling, she opened her handbag, retrieved her oval-shaped sunglasses and put them on. “Markos is in San Diego, meeting with a disgruntled trophy wife, so we can have a nice, long lunch at The Polo Lounge.”

  “I’m not hungry yet, so I’m going to stay here and familiarize myself with the office.” Tatiyana picked up the policy-and-procedures binder beside the phone and flipped it open. “I don’t want to look like a ditz when I’m talking to clients, so I’m going to read up about the company and review the minutes from last month’s staff meeting, as well.”

  “Suit yourself. See you later!”

  Waving, Tatiyana watched Izzy sail through the open doors and into the waiting elevator. Curious about the firm, she sat at her desk and began reading. Jotting down questions as they came to her, she made note of the policies Markos had written, and noticed they were interesting and engaging—just like the man himself.

  The phone rang, startling her, and Tatiyana put on the headset. Taking a deep breath, she pressed Line 1 and spoke with confidence, as if this were her hundredth day on the job rather than her first. “LA Family Law. Markos Morretti’s office. How may I help you?”

  “You made it.”

  A girlish smile exploded onto her mouth. Tatiyana hadn’t seen Markos since he’d surprised her at the park five days earlier, and hearing his voice made her pulse race and her temperature soar. “Hello, Mr. Moretti. What can I do for you today?”

  “I’m calling to check up on you.”

  His smooth, oh-so-sexy voice tickled and teased her ears.

  “How is your first day going?” he asked.

  “So far so good. To be honest, I’m a little restless. I haven’t done much yet.”

  “Have you had lunc
h?”

  “No. It’s only eleven o’clock.”

  “That didn’t stop Izzy from leaving thirty minutes ago, did it?”

  Convinced he was hiding somewhere, Tatiyana glanced frantically around the office in search of him. “Where are you? How did you know that?”

  Tatiyana heard the sounds of traffic in the background and knew Markos was calling from his car. Was he on his way to the office? The thought made her heart sing.

  “I know Izzy like the back of my hand. She thinks I don’t know about her long lunches and marathon phone conversations with her boyfriend, but I do.”

  Surprised, and confused, she asked, “If Izzy’s not doing her job, why keep her around? Why not find someone else? Someone you can trust to stay on top of things in your absence?”

  “Because I promised her mother I’d look out for her, and I want to keep my word. Izzy was devastated when her parents split up and blames her mom for her dad moving out...”

  Moved by his kindness and compassion, Tatiyana nodded in understanding.

  “Izzy’s a good kid,” he continued. “I have faith in her. She’ll get her act together.”

  “And if she doesn’t?”

  “I’m going back to Venice. I don’t need this grief. I’m only thirty-six!”

  Laughing, Tatiyana closed the policy-and-procedures binder and pushed it aside. She’d done enough reading for one day. She wanted to talk to Markos, not review more company memos.

  “I’m on my way to the office but wanted to know what you’d like for lunch.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I brought a salad.”

  “A salad? I’ve seen you eat. That’s not going to be enough food for you.”

  “I hope you’re not implying that I’m an eating machine,” she joked, feigning anger. “I’m not. I’m just a girl who enjoys a good, hearty meal and the occasional glass of Chardonnay.”

  “Among other things...” He deliberately allowed his words to hang in the air, leaving no doubt in her mind that he was talking about sex. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Tatiyana. You’re one of a kind.”

  “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

  “It’s a great thing.”

  His deep husky voice tickled her flesh. Her mind flashed back to the night they made love at Applause Nightclub, and her skin flushed with heat.

  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. See you then.”

  Wanting to freshen up before his arrival, Tatiyana whipped off her headset and grabbed her purse from underneath the mahogany desk. Standing, she was shocked to see Ashley Zapata pacing in the lobby. Known for her big voice, voluptuous shape and trend-setting style, the Colombian pop star and acclaimed actress was loved worldwide by her adorning fans.

  Approaching her, Tatiyana said, “Hello. May I help you?”

  “Is Markos around?” She gestured wildly with her hands, her ponytail swishing back and forth. “I need to talk to him. It’s an emergency.”

  The desk phone rang, but it was obvious Mrs. Zapata was upset, and Tatiyana didn’t want to leave her. “He’ll be here soon,” she said, nodding in assurance. “Why don’t you come inside and wait for him in the conference room? I’ll bring you a cup of coffee and—”

  “No coffee. Too much caffeine. It’s bad for the heart. Do you have wine?”

  Minutes later, Tatiyana sat inside the conference room, watching the beloved pop star guzzle her third glass of Merlot, wondering where Markos was. She’d called him and left an urgent message on his voice mail when it clicked on, but he hadn’t responded yet.

  “Can I have some more?” Mrs. Zapata licked her plump lips. “I’m really thirsty.”

  “Yes, of course.” Tatiyana picked up the bottle and filled her empty glass to the brim. The mini fridge at the rear of the room had a wide assortment of snacks, so she offered the pop star something to eat. “We have fruit, cheese, sushi and—”

  “Sushi?” Water filled her eyes, her bottom lip trembled and she burst into tears.

  Tatiyana reached out and rubbed her back. Tears streamed down the pop star’s cheeks, splashing onto her jumpsuit, and her shoulders shook.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not a crier, but today’s my birthday, and I want to spend it with my husband.” She sniffed, hanging her head. “We’re separated. Have been for almost two years.”

  Tatiyana wore a sympathetic smile. Sadly, she understood what the pop star was going through. Over the years, she’d suffered her fair share of heartbreak, too. Knew what it was like to lose someone you loved, to feel alone and abandoned. Her ex was a mama’s boy who needed to grow up, and Tatiyana didn’t respect him. Markos, on the other hand, was his own man, a gentleman through and through, and if they’d met under different circumstances, she’d date him. Clearing the thought from her mind, Tatiyana gave the weeping pop star her full attention.

  “Every year Yoshiro makes me homemade sushi to celebrate. He’s such a good cook. Better than a celebrity chef!” Using the back of her hand, she dabbed at her eyes and mascara-stained cheeks. “I don’t want to have dinner with my staff tonight. I want to be with my husband and son. Yoshiro means everything to me.”

  “You should call him.”

  “Markos said I shouldn’t. He said if I do, I could ruin everything.”

  “What do you want?” Tatiyana asked.

  “I want my husband to come home. I want us to be a family again.”

  Mrs. Zapata opened her purse, took out a pink, silk handkerchief and blew her nose. For several seconds, she fiddled with the pear-shaped diamond ring on her left hand.

  “Do you still love him?”

  “With all my heart. I never stopped. If anything, being apart has only made me love and appreciate him even more. I’m miserable without Yoshiro, and I want him back.”

  “Then go get your man.”

  “But Markos said—”

  “But nothing,” she argued, unable to hold her tongue any longer. Tatiyana knew it was none of her business, but it broke her heart to see the woman cry. The pop star was hurting, and Tatiyana wanted to help her. “A good man is hard to find, and if I found someone who cooked for me, and took care of me I’d never let him go. I’d worship the ground he walks on!”

  “I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused.”

  Tatiyana patted her hand. “Follow your heart. It will never lead you astray.”

  “I want to, but Markos said it’s too late to call off the divorce.”

  “If I found my soul mate, I wouldn’t let anyone keep us apart.”

  “You wouldn’t?”

  “Hell, no! I’d do anything to be with him—”

  Someone cleared their throat, seizing her attention, and Tatiyana broke off speaking. Glancing over her shoulder, her body tensed, and her tongue froze inside her mouth. Markos stared at her, his gaze dark and narrowed, and Tatiyana knew she was in a world of trouble.

  Chapter 15

  “What did you do?” Markos slammed his office door so hard the windows rattled and the floor shook. Folding his arms, he hit Tatiyana with a cold, dark stare. Finding the women inside the conference room, speaking in hushed tones he’d sensed something was terribly wrong—and there was. His worst nightmare had come true, and his chatty new secretary was to blame. “Mrs. Zapata said she no longer needs my services.”

  Tatiyana didn’t answer, wore a blank expression on her face, as if she didn’t understand why he’d buzzed the front desk after walking Mrs. Zapata to her car and ordered her into his office. That morning, as he was driving to San Diego, he’d called Staffing Unlimited, asked to speak to the manager and persuaded her to send Tatiyana to his firm. But now, Markos wondered if he’d made a mistake.

  To regain control of his emotions, Markos took a deep breath. He didn’t need this shit. Not tod
ay. Not after the stress of the past twenty-four hours. Thinking about yesterday, he felt a headache forming and pinched the bridge of his nose. One of his clients, a former beauty queen, had propositioned him inside her kitchen. Shedding her satin robe, she’d chased him around the breakfast bar, desperately pawing at his clothes. Sprinting out the front door wasn’t his finest moment, but he wasn’t going to ruin his reputation by hooking up with a client.

  As Markos was speeding away from the Hidden Hills estate, Romeo had phoned, ranting and raving about his on-again, off-again model girlfriend, but when Markos suggested his brother dump the fiery Norwegian once and for all, he’d turned on him. He had accused him of being jealous, then abruptly ended the call. Pulling into his driveway, he’d spotted Caroline sitting on his doorstep, and cursed in Italian. Inviting her inside was his first mistake, allowing her to stay for dinner was his second. She’d droned on and on about work, demanded he take her to the governor’s ball and grilled him about his love life. Bored out of his mind, he’d sent on her home midway through dessert, then lifted weights in his home gym to alleviate his stress.

  “I don’t understand why you’re upset,” Tatiyana said. “I did nothing wrong.”

  “What did you say to her?”

  “Nothing. Mrs. Zapata talked, and I listened.”

  Markos heard his cell phone ring, felt it vibrating in his back pocket, but he didn’t answer it. He had unfinished business with Tatiyana, and wanted to get to the bottom of things before the situation spiraled out of control. “And you’re sure that’s all that happened?”

  “Mrs. Zapata loves her husband, and she doesn’t want a divorce, so I encouraged her to have an open and honest talk with him. Is that a problem?”

  Staring at the ceiling, he threw his hands up in the air. “Are you trying to ruin me?”

  “No. I was trying to help.”