Tempting

"LET ME MAKE THIS EASY for you," the man in the expensively tailored suit told Dani Buchanan. "You don't get to speak to the senator until you tell me why you're here." "Amazingly enough, that information doesn't make things easier," Dani Buchanan murmured, feeling equally scared and excited which made for a very queasy stomach. She'd already talked her way through a receptionist and two assistants. She could actually see Mark Canfield's door at the end of the corridor. But standing between her and a long warehouse hallway was a big, determined-looking guy. She thought about pushing past him, but he was pretty tall and she wasn't. Not to mention the fact that she'd actually worn a dress and high heelsneither of which were normal for her. The dress was no big deal, but the heels were killing her. She could handle the pain in the balls of her feet and the slight pulling in her arches, but how did anyone stay balanced on these things? If she moved at anything faster than a stroll, she was in danger of snapping an ankle. "You can trust me," the man said. "I'm a lawyer." He actually made the statement with a straight face. Dani laughed. "A profession designed to inspire trust? I don't think so." His lips twitched, as if he were holding in a smile. A good sign, she thought. Maybe she could charm her way past this guy. Not that she'd ever been especially good at charming men, but she didn't have much of a choice. She was going to have to fake it. She drew in a breath and tossed her head. Of course her hair was cut short, which meant there was no flip over her shoulder. Which left Dani completely out of charming-men-type tricks. Good thing she'd sworn off dating for the rest of her life. "Think of me as the dragon at the gate," the man said. "You're not getting past me until I know your business." "Didn't anyone ever tell you that dragons are extinct?" Now he did smile. "I'm living proof they're alive and well." Fine, she thought absently. She would go all the way to fine for this guy. He had a nice facehandsome enough that you wouldn't turn to stone looking at him, but not so pretty that he wouldn't need to develop a personality. Killer blue eyes. A strong jaw, which meant stubborn. "I'm here for personal reasons," she said, knowing that wasn't going to be enough, but feeling the need to try. What else was she supposed to say? That she'd recently discovered she might not be who she'd thought she was and answers to her questions were in this building? Dragon-man's face tightened as he crossed his arms over his chest. Dani had the instant sensation of being shut out and judged, all at the same time. "I don't think so," the man said sharply. "The senator doesn't play those kind of games. You're wasting your time. Get the hell out of here." Dani stared at him. "Huh?" What was he... Oh. "You think I'm implying the senator and I" She grimaced. "Yuck. No! Never. Eww." She took a step back, a dangerous act, considering the shoes, but she had no choice. Distance was required. "That is too disgusting for words." "Why?" She sighed. "Because there's a chance I'm his daughter." Better than a chance, if her upset stomach were anything to go by. Suit-guy didn't even blink. "You'd do better to imply you were sleeping with him. I'd be more inclined to believe you." "Who are you to pass judgment on what Mark Canfield may or may not have been doing twentynine years ago?" "I'm his son." That got her attention. She knew all about the senator's large family. "Alex, I presume?" Dragon-guy nodded. Interesting. Not that she and the senator's oldest son were blood relations. Mark Canfield and his wife had adopted all their children, including Alex. But it was possible they were family. Dani wasn't sure how she felt about that. Dealing with her known family was complicated enough. Did she wanMallery, Susan is the author of 'Tempting ', published 2007 under ISBN 9780373772100 and ISBN 0373772106.