Bound by Brenda Rothert Read Free Book Online

being alone with a hot guy at his apartment, and it was a mix of anxiety and excitement.
    Get a grip, Kate. He just wants you to pick up his dry cleaning and make his coffee.
    “I’ll text you my address. See you in a bit.”
    Hanging up, I glanced down at the grungy white cutoff sweats I wore. I’d need to change for the meeting that was as close as I’d come to a job interview.
     
    ***
     
    It ended up being closer to an hour before I was walking up to Ryke’s building. To avoid paying a fortune for parking, I’d had to get a spot on a street more than two blocks away.
    A doorman nodded and smiled as he held the large glass door for me, and the cool lobby air washed over my sweaty skin. I’d been in stunning downtown lobbies before, but this was the first time I’d visited someone who lived in a place like this. Gray and white swirled marble covered the floor, and large vases of tall, exotic flowers decorated rich wood tables.
    “Miss Camden?” A middle-aged man in a dark uniform that matched the doorman’s approached me. I nodded and he gestured for me to follow him onto the elevator.
    “Mr. Ryker asked me to see you up to his floor ,” he explained as he inserted a key and pushed a button on a panel. I smiled tightly and murmured my thanks.
    The ride up was smooth and silent, and I looked over as the doors opened. “Thanks again.”
    “Have a nice night, ma’am.”
    I’d never been a ma’am in my life, and I tried not to smile. I was in a small lobby, with more marble and fragrant flowers. There was only one door, and I knocked on it tentatively. It was only a couple seconds before Ryke opened it, and I sucked in a nervous breath as I saw him.
    He wore black shorts and a red short-sleeved shirt made from the thin, nearly nonexi stent fabric I knew athletes liked to wear since it was so breathable. His short dark hair looked a little damp.
    “Hi .” He smiled as he stepped aside so I could walk in, and the warm, fresh smell of his cologne kicked up my nerves a notch. “So, this is my place.”
    I forced my eyes away from the defined lines of his huge biceps to check out the apartment. It was incredible. All the outside walls were windows from floor to ceiling, offer ing a stunning view of the lake. Tiny boats dotted the water and the setting sun glowed orange and pink.
    Dark wood floors contrasted with ivory walls, which were mostly bare. The furniture screamed bachelor pad: an enormous leather sectional, two leather recliners, a big screen television and a coffee table.
    “This is the kitchen,” he said, leading the way though the view was already open to it. It was straight out of a gourmet cooking magazine, with commercial stainless appliances, marble counters and clean white cabinets.
    “Wow. This is a little overwhelming,” I said. “I need to be able to make coffee, and what other kinds of stuff?”
    “You don’t have to do any cooking. I don’t expect you to make me coffee either.” His voice had a smile in it, and I let myself relax.
    “Okay. What would I do?”
    “Mostly just help with my schedule. Like keep track of where I am and where I need to be. You can coordinate with Mimi, because sometimes she cooks nice meals and I’m not even home to eat.”
    “Is that your girlfriend?”
    “No, no.” He smiled and looked amused by the suggestion. “She’s my housekeeper. She’s in her 50s, I think. I should know how old she is because I should know when her birthday is, but I’m lousy with stuff like that. That’s what I need you for.”
    I looked around the sparkling kitchen. “It looks like she does a good job. This place is immaculate.”
    “She’s great. You’ll like her.”
    “You’re pretty confident I’m taking the job,” I said, arching my brows with amusement.
    Ryke looked away, seeming embarrassed as he laughed lightly.
    “What kind of hours do you want me?” I asked.
    “Uh . . .”
    There was a hint of a flush on his dark cheeks, and I cringed at my