One Night Forever (The Cinderella Chronicles) by Lisa Renée Jones Read Free Book Online

her
crazy with desire but he’d also touched her deep inside. Why, she
didn’t know. Maybe she never would. And he lingered in her mind
like a permanent fixture. That one night had virtually ruined “Red
Hot Secrets” for her. Watching Tara get all hot and bothered just
didn’t do it for Lauren anymore.
    Mentally, she kicked
herself for even thinking of Matt again. He’d been a one-night
stand, and nothing more. Today was an important day. Matt didn’t
belong in her thoughts. Her new job did.
    The subway car came to a
screeching halt, yanking Lauren abruptly out of her reminiscing.
This was her stop. Pulling her shoulders back, she resolved to
focus on her career. Making a good impression at Carlson could take
her life to that next step forward.
    A few minutes later, she
entered the lobby of the building housing her new employer,
absorbing the elegance all around her. Marble, glass, and expensive
art adorned the walls. Despite prior visits, she found herself awed
by the unique architecture that rounded the corners of the walls.
And the difference between her new employer and her old screamed
night and day. Quaint and homey but very low-key, her old firm had
a limited budget, which showed in their décor and even choice of
buildings.
    Carlson was on the top of
their game and they displayed it boldly.
    Lauren signed in with
security and made her way to the elevator. Butterflies fluttered in
her stomach as she watched the flash of each floor number light up.
By the time, the elevator opened, she’d talked herself into
calmness.
    She could do
this.
    The first thing she saw
as she stepped into the lobby elevator was a massive desk. It was
shaped like a half-circle and glistened of polished mahogany. Eager
to make herself a welcome addition, she quickly marched up to the
reception desk and the receptionist she’d met during her interview
visits. “Hello, Lori. I’m Lauren Reynolds. Remember me?”
    Lori, who Lauren guessed
to be about fifty, peered over the rim of her sliver glasses. “Yes,
I remember you.”
    Lauren extended her arm
across the desk to offer the woman a handshake. “Nice to see you
again.”
    With a curious look in
her eyes, Lori removed her glasses and laid them on the desk. She
placed her hand in Lauren’s. “Welcome, Lauren.”
    Before the handshake
ended, a familiar voice sounded. “You’re here.”
    Lauren turned to find
Celia Ward, a rather round and overtly friendly woman who happened
to be the secretary to the Vice President. “Yes, I’m here. I can
hardly believe it.”
    “ Well, we are
thrilled to have you,” Celia said, a blonde curl bouncing out of
the clip that had held her hair neatly in a bun. She swiped at it
with her hand. “I’m falling apart already,” Celia said. “See how I
need you?”
    Lauren laughed. She’d
already figured out Celia had the ears of the company. She knew
everything about everyone. “Somehow I think I’m going to need you a
whole lot more than you need me.”
    Following Celia down a
long hallway, Lauren soon found herself in a small office. It was
bare except for a desk, several chairs, and a few miscellaneous
office supplies, all of which appeared to be brand-new. The room
smelled of new leather.
    “ It’s all
yours,” Celia said with a smile and a wave of her hand.
    “ I love it,”
Lauren said with a genuine smile. “Now I just need to earn it.”
Basic tools sat on top of the shiny desktop—computer and printer,
tape, a pencil holder, and several large notebooks.
    “ I’m quite
sure you will, Lauren.” Celia gave her a wise smile. “I know
people, and you will do well.”
    “ Thank you,”
Lauren said, touched by her confidence. “I hope you’re right. I
certainly appreciate the support. I need all the people in my
corner that I can get.” Unable to help herself Lauren walked around
the desk and sat down in the high back chair. Very comfortable, and
not cheap. She swiveled around to face her window. “Wow. What a
great view!”