...Oh, my God, what have I done? The heat of Ruby’s smile washed over Holland, its glory blinding him for an instant. From six inches away, the combination of that smile and those eyes ripped Holland’s cognitive functions away.

This! This was why he didn’t have male assistants. He’d not the least wish to become the sort of user this unbelievably appealing creature had just accused him of being. The women would never tempt him. But Ruby…dear Lord, pure temptation. Hol managed to pull back before he said or did something to show how very much he wanted to kiss that smiling mouth.

“Your office and quarters are downstairs.” There, that sounded reasonable and not half as shaky as his knees felt.

“Fair enough.” Ruby stood, the movement shifting the robe just enough to reveal a glimpse of smooth, well-muscled chest before the younger man tightened the belt again. “Hope you don’t mind if I keep this a little longer…and showing me where the dryer is, for my clothes?”

“There’s a laundry off the kitchen.” Even now, Ruby seemed far too close. “I’ll go down with the cart and get your luggage so you’ll have fresh clothes.” And he was not thinking of following the fine column of Ruby’s throat down and pressing his lips to the sweet hollow just above the creamy velvet opening of his robe.

Surprise lifted dark brows. Those decadent eyes studied him, too bright, too…everything. “That’s nice. Thank you.” Ruby held out his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Faust, for giving me a chance to prove myself. You won’t regret it.”

Pure electric shock ran up Holland’s arm the instant their hands touched. Ruby’s firm handshake matched his straightforward manner and his upbringing. Holland knew a hill man didn’t offer his hand unless he meant it. His father had told him so many times. “I hope I don’t, Mr. Keagan.” He could hardly say he already did so. He moved to show his visitor out of the bedroom. Farther from temptation.

The large open area of dining and sitting room felt too small in Ruby’s presence, even with the young man’s eyes going wide at it all. “Wow, this is beautiful.”

“I won’t apologize for agreeing with you. I chose this house and this island for its peace and beauty.” And the solitude. After a while, the sheer difficulty of getting here led the paparazzi to easier targets. An occasional boat circled the island, but he usually saw them long before they had a chance to see him. “I hope you’ll find your suite lives up to the promise the rest of the house has given you.” He motioned Ruby toward the stairs to the lower level.

There really was something endearing about the way Ruby Keagan drank everything in without going utterly star-struck. No giggles, no stammers…no long stares at him. Holland might find it refreshing if he could breathe properly. The walk across the roomy living area downstairs seemed to take forever. At least his hands didn’t rattle the doorknobs to the guest suite. “Here you are. The office is just next door.”

Another of those grins sent warmth over Holland. “Cool.” The robe brushed Holland’s knuckles as Ruby entered the room. Electricity arced through Hol again.

“Now, this is nice.” The smile turned from the room back to Hol. “I’m gonna like working here.”

I wish I could like it as well. Right now, Holland would settle for getting to the garage without embarrassing himself or pressing Ruby up against the glass doors to the private deck. “It looks like this squall line is passing.” If not, Hol had no doubt he could will it to do so just to get free of this excruciatingly embarrassing situation. “Why don’t you look about and see if there’s anything you need for tonight while I retrieve your luggage. It shouldn’t take but a moment.” Hol had helped bring some of his precious garden plants and trees up from the dock; surely he could manage a few suitcases.

“Okay. Thanks.” Ruby’s gaze settled over him again.