Awakening by Sydney Holmes Read Free Book Online Page A

with less than a week to go.
    “Oh?” I ask, trying to sound calm.
    “Yes, well, we forgot about the corporate gift. Actually, we had an internal debate about it. There were some who felt that it was unnecessary, and I guess those who felt that it was necessary have won the debate. Only just. So, yes, I need to add a corporate gift to the to-do list.” Ryan looks pained as he says this.
    I am guessing that he was heavily in the unnecessary side of the debate.
    “Okay.” I breathe out. “Did you have something in mind?”
    There are loads of wonderful corporate gift ideas out there, but nothing that will work within our time frame. I’m trying hard not to panic.
    “Yes, in fact, I do.” Ryan sits up and pulls something out of his briefcase. “This is a monogramed pen and mini notepad set. I made some calls this morning, and I believe we can get this ordered and shipped out in time.” He starts to pass the paper across the table.
    Again, the table is too large to reach across. He notices this and somewhat awkwardly starts to get up. Oh, maybe he thought I walked over there to flirt with him?
    I watch as he moves across the table, and to my shock, he sits down next to me. Be still my heart. I can deal with all these confusing emotions across the table, but now I feel the heat rising from his skin as he sits next to me.
    “Here are the company details. And my notes.” He leans closer, showing me the papers. Suddenly, my brain is completely empty.
    I feel his gaze on me. “Did you have a late night, Miss Young? You look a little tired.” As he speaks, I hear the humor in his voice.
    Rage spikes though me. He is laughing at me, damn him. Rage is good, it fuels my brain, and now I am on fire again.
    “Mr. Cole, I am a little tired, thanks for asking. Nothing for you to worry about, this project is my top priority,” I say, icily shifting in my chair to face him.
    I feel his surprise as he jerks back, the smile fading from his mouth.
    He waits a beat, giving me a searching look. I gaze back at him, hopefully with an impassive look on my face.
    I pick up the order forms and the notes. “I’ll get right on this.” Flipping through the notes, I notice that there is no employee list attached. I hand the order form over to Julie, without looking at her; I can’t take what ever expression is on her face right now, I am doing everything I can to hold my own with Ryan so close.
    “Do you have a list of all the employees who will receive one? First and last names? We need all of that as soon as possible.” I turn and look up at him. He is staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes are flashing, possibly with some salacious thought? I’m not sure, but whatever he’s thinking, it’s not about the corporate gift.
    Without taking his eyes from mine, he leans in and says, “I will have that for you shortly.” My mouth goes dry and my heart rate spikes. This effect he has on me is baffling. With each little word he speaks, tingles run down my spine, landing in my belly. I can barely breathe.
    “Well, I’d better get started.” Julie breaks our spell and I let out a deep breath.
    “Was there anything else you needed, Mr. Cole?” I ask, trying to appear devoid of emotion.
    He looks rather sheepish as he stands, straightening his topcoat. “Um. No. I think that about covers it.”
    “If you don’t mind, I’ll get started working on this right away.” Julie bolts for the door. I glare at her, pleading for her to stay. She doesn’t even look back, or say goodbye. She practically runs to the door and is gone before I can respond.
    I turn back to face Ryan. Our distraction is gone, but the spell now seems to be broken as he moves back toward his briefcase.
    “I am sure we will meet on this again, Miss Young.” He snaps his briefcase shut and looks up at me. No more sheepish boy look, no more wickedness in his eye. Just Mr. Professional.
    “Yes, of course.” Exhaustion seeps back into my