Free Chained: Reckless Desires (Dragon's Heart Book 1) by Jacqueline Sweet

deep shadow. Bella could make nothing out about him, other than that he had quite large hands. A bracelet dangled on his right wrist that looked very out of place on the man. It was made of rough, rusted iron links and clung tightly to his skin like it was too small for him. The rust colored his shirt cuff and flaked off onto the top of his desk. The chain would have looked at home on a disused garden gate, or locking a forgotten door. It shouldn’t have been wrapped around any living person. Did Winterborn have tetanus? Was that why he was so moody?
    “Look, I believe we really got off on the wrong foot,” he said. “As you’ve no doubt noticed, I’m not always myself and you found me during one of my bad spells. No, please don’t ask about it. I can’t talk about it. Please trust me, I can’t.” She could hear the smile in his voice, but his face was in darkness. It was like she was in one of those police interrogation rooms you see on TV, only in this case the officer was begging her not to ask any questions.
    “Yes,” Bella said. “You were quite frightening. I believe you threatened to hurl me into the sea, Mr. Winterborn.”
    Winterborn sighed. “I’m going to make a request of you, and I’d like you to consider it. But please don’t feel pressured. When I was in my mood, I said some nasty things to you and I wish I could take them back but of course that’s impossible, so if you say no, I’ll understand.” He waited as if waiting for an answer, even though he hadn’t asked a question.
    “Are you offering me a job?” Bella guessed.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Well you’re being nice to me, and I know that Vincent just quit. I’m guessing you need a new attorney or amanuensis or something?”
    Winterborn laughed in delighted surprise. “Just so. But a bit heavier on the or something part I think. I can’t pay you much, but I can offer you your own room and a fantastic letter of recommendation for whatever you choose to do next.”
    “Have you been asking around about me?” Bella asked.
    From the shadows, Winterborn said, “I have. I need to make sure everyone in my household can be trusted. And I discovered something you. You’ve been lying to me.”
    Bella kept quiet, but her mind went to the thousand dollars from Rodney. She’d hidden it in a book in her room. There was no way Winterborn could have known about it, could he?
    “When I caught you, you said you were an attorney. You failed to mention that you’d worked for Black, Cross and Landon. They’re possibly the most prestigious firm on the west coast. Did you know they represented my brother? Are you a spy, working here on his behalf?” His tone was casual. He may as well have asked, “Have you ever watched Once Upon A Time?”
    “No. I’m not a spy. And it wasn’t like you gave me a chance to explain myself.”
    “Fair enough. But I heard a little about what happened to you there. And I bet a letter of recommendation would help.”
    Bella thought it over, her mind racing. “Would you tell people that I quit the firm to come work for you? That might actually save my reputation. Being fired because you were harassed looks much worse than quitting to go work as a private attorney.”
    Winterborn nodded. “I don’t like lying, as a rule, but it’s close enough to the truth.”
    “This could really turn my career around. Thank you.”
    “Does that mean you’ll do it?”
    “Will you write the letter now?”
    “Sure.”
    “Do I get my choice of room?”
    “Any room on the second floor is yours.”
    “Do I get to Chloe’s cooking?”
    “She’s a wonder, isn’t she?”
    “Why did Vincent quit? Did you hit him? If you lay so much as a finger on me, I’m out that door.”
    “He says he wishes to spend more time with his family, but I think I scare him.” Winterborn stood from the desk and walked over to wear Bella was standing. Her skin crawled. She wanted to run from him, before he could seize her and gobble her up. But