Free Kindling Flames—Gathering Tinder by Julie Wetzel Page B

thoughts of my family or friends. Nothing about my past. The only thought that hit me was of the pile of folders sitting next to my desk, and how I wouldn’t get the chance to enter them into the spreadsheets.”
    “Well, you don’t need to worry about it now.” Darien shot her a smile as he pulled out into the evening traffic. “You’re fine, and you’ll get the chance to get back to those files tomorrow.”
    Vicky let out a heavy sigh that made Darien chuckle. Turning her attention away from her boss, she stared out the window. The world slipped past, unseen, as her fingers found their way to the tender area of her neck. The sound of the cartilage in her throat giving way under the pressure of the man’s hand had terrified her. She had been sure she was going to die, but here she sat with only a sore throat. How she had managed to escape her doom was beyond her, but she was sure it had something to do with the man driving her home. Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of a good way to ask him. Nothing short of extensive surgery could fix a crushed trachea, and that obviously wasn’t the case here. Maybe the terror and pain had made her think there was more injury than there really was. Vicky nodded her head as she settled on this explanation of the day’s events. She had just passed out from lack of oxygen, and her mind had exaggerated the experience into something more serious than it was.
    “Make sure you get something to eat before going to bed.”
    Vicky was pulled from her thoughts by Darien’s words. She blinked for a moment until she realized they were sitting in front of her apartment building. “I will,” she promised as she clambered out of the car. Turning around, she bent over, so she could look at the man who had taken such good care of her. “Thank you.”
    Darien smiled warmly at her. “You’re quite welcome, Miss Westernly. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Vicky closed the door and found her way into her apartment before Darien pulled back out onto the street. Dropping her bag in its customary spot on the couch, she kicked off her shoes and headed into the kitchen to drop a package of ramen noodles in a pot. If she overcooked them a little, they would be soft enough to get down without hurting her already-tender throat.

 
     

    Darien studied the silken scarf wrapped around Vicky’s neck. It was soft and flowing, and it accented her outfit quite nicely, but that wasn’t the reason his assistant was wearing it. The scarf didn’t quite cover all the bruising, but it was just the right color to make one question if the purpling seen around the edges was on the skin or part of the scarf.
    “Good morning, Miss Westernly. How are you feeling today?”
    Vicky raised a hand unconsciously to her throat before answering. “Much better. Thank you, Mr. Ritter.” Dropping her hand, she fished into the plastic bag she was carrying. “I brought you something for taking care of me yesterday.”
    Darien cocked a curious eyebrow as Vicky pulled out a small, wooden crate and sat it gently on his desk. He laughed at the box of clementines. “You really didn’t have to do that.” Darien looked up at her with a warm expression.
    “I know, but I wanted to.” Vicky looked down shyly at the corner of the desk as she spoke. When he didn’t respond, she glanced up find him staring at her. The intensity she found there made her cheeks warm.
    “Thank you.”
    Vicky nodded in response. Darien’s voice had taken on a more tangible quality than normal. Her blush deepened as his voice caressed her insides. Slipping back into professional mode, she said, “If there’s nothing else at the moment, I’m going to run down to the café and get some coffee before hitting that paperwork. Would you like something?”
    A grin curled one side of Darien’s mouth. “ No, but thank you.”
    Vicky nodded again and disappeared through the door.
    Shaking his head, Darien considered the girl. It had been a long time since