What the Greek's Money Can't Buy(22)

                A smile tugged at his mouth. ‘You should’ve been a diplomat, Moneypenny.’

                Her shoulder lifted in a shrug that drew his attention to where it had no business being, specifically the pulse beating beneath her flawless skin.

                ‘We all have something we desire more than anything. Wasting the opportunity when it presents itself is plain foolishness.’

                The temptation to look inside the tin was too much to pass up. ‘And what is it you want?’

                Her startled gaze flew to his. ‘Excuse me?’

                ‘What do you want more than anything?’

                She shook her head and looked away, a hint of desperation in the movement. He saw her relieved expression as his driver approached, her small carry-all in his hand.

                Striding forward, she took the case from the surprised driver and stowed it in the boot. Then she opened the back door and got in.

                Sakis took his time to walk to the other door. He ignored her nervous glance and waited until they were both buckled in and the jeep was moving along the dusty road running alongside the beach. The moment she relaxed, he pounced. ‘Well?’

                ‘Well what?’

                ‘I’m waiting for an answer.’

                ‘About what I want?’ she asked.

                Her stall tactics didn’t go unnoticed. ‘Yes,’ he pressed.

                ‘I...want the chance to prove that I can do a good job and be recognised for it.’

                He exhaled impatiently. ‘You already do an exemplary job, and you’re highly paid and highly valued for it.’

                He battled the disappointment rising inside. He’d wanted personal. From the assistant he’d warned against getting personal. So what? Finding out a little bit about what went on behind that professional façade didn’t mean either of them risked losing their highly functional relationship. Besides, Moneypenny knew of his liaisons; she arranged the lunches, dinners and the odd, discreet parting gift.

                The balance needed adjusting, just a little. ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’

                Her head whipped round, perfect eyebrows arching. ‘I beg your pardon?’

                ‘It’s a very simple question, Moneypenny. One that demands a simple yes or no answer.’

                ‘I know it is, but I fail to see how that’s relevant within the realms of our working relationship.’

                He noted the agitated cadence of her breathing and hid a smile. ‘I believe it’s company policy to have a yearly appraisal. You’ve been working for me for almost eighteen months and you’re yet to have your first appraisal.’

                ‘HR gave me my appraisal six months ago. They sent you the results, I believe.’

                ‘Probably, but I haven’t read it yet.’

                ‘So you want to do your own evaluation...now?’

                He shrugged, a little irritated with himself now that he was pushing the subject. But, now the question was out there, it niggled and, yes, he wanted to know if Brianna Moneypenny had urges just like the rest of the human race. She wasn’t a robot. She’d felt warm and most definitely feminine when her body had brushed against his on the boat. Her comment about restoring the beach for the local inhabitants had also uncovered a hitherto hidden soft side he hadn’t expected.