A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series by Violet Sparks Read Free Book Online

investors and kept them to a minimum this way, while still raising the needed capital.  What threw us off was the way they accounted for the investment.  They applied the discounts retroactively, spreading them across the previous purchases.  It's all according to Hoyle .  I think our client is in the clear to proceed."
    "That's wonderful, Katie.  Good work!"
    "Thank you, Mr. Dodd.  I'll drop my report on your desk before I leave tonight."
    She shot LaSalla a quick glance and saw him clench his granite jaw.  A small pulse throbbed just below his ear, where his jaw squared against his neck.  Black and blue marks that almost looked like stitches remained where she'd tried to claw him.
    "Give it to Robert instead, all right?"
    "Yes, Sir."
    No sooner had she arrived back in her office, than Kiki popped in, closing the door behind.
    "Well, what have you got to say for yourself?" the receptionist asked, tapping her toe and crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the wall.
    "What are you talking about?"  Katrina felt perplexed.
    "Man-O-Your-Dreams said he'd asked you out at Wood and Associates, and you'd refused him, placing him in the friend zone!"
    "What?  When did he say such a thing?"
    "Really, Katrina, I don't know where your head is sometimes.  Right in the meeting, about fifteen minutes ago, that's when he said it.  Everyone laughed.  Well, everyone except Chuck.  He was not amused!"
    Kate placed a hand over her forehead.  She rubbed her eyes.  She could not believe the audacity of that man.
    "Robert LaSalla never asked me on a date in his life.  I don't know what he's up to, but I'm tired of it."
    Katrina's head pounded. 
    "I think my fever's returned.  I'm going home."
    She gathered her things, including her due diligence report for the client, and headed towards Samantha's old office.  With any luck, she could place it on his desk and get out of the building before anyone else noticed her missing.
    As she hoped, LaSalla wasn't at his desk.  She slipped into the cad's workspace, intending to drop the report and run.  She couldn't ignore the large bouquet of bird of paradise flowers on the credenza below his window.  The arrangement had an Asian elegance to its design.  Before Katrina knew it, she'd pulled the card from the blooms and read its message:  Good luck, Darling, on the first day of your new job.  See you tonight!  
    "Uhm, uhmm."
    Oh, no.
    Kate turned to face whom she knew must be Robert. She clamped her jaws together, hoping to control her expression.  With his arm raised over his head and braced against the jamb, Robert's frame filled the doorway, his body and face assuming a nonchalant pose.  His presence filled the office, overwhelming her. 
    "Can I help you, Katie?"
    Maybe it was the exhaustion.  Maybe it was the stress of getting a new boss, or maybe it was how her blood coursed through her veins, making her heart beat wildly whenever she found herself in proximity to this man. Whatever the cause, Katrina lost it.  She slammed her report down on his desk, then determined to confront him.
    "I don't appreciate you trying to make me look foolish in front of my peers with lies about our past.  You never asked me out, and I can't fathom why you'd say such a thing!"  Her voice rose in volume to almost a yell.  She added, "And don't ever call me Katie again!"
    She stalked towards Robert, expecting him to move out of her way.  A crowd gathered outside his office.  The man didn't budge.
    "Excuse me!" she spat.
    He still didn't move.  A gasp of exasperation escaped her lips as she advanced on her superior.  She intended to squeeze by him if necessary.  Now just inches apart, he shifted his body to block her exit.  She raised a defiant face to meet his.  The infuriating man grinned.
    "What do you think of my flowers?" he whispered, so no one outside could hear.
    "Out of my way!" Katrina ordered in a low tone, ignoring the effect his voice had on her and attempting