Out of the Ashes by S.M. Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

he just assume I had already agreed to take the job as well? “Mr. Jacobs, I have not accepted your offer yet.  But yes, please call me Celeste.  And allow me to apologize for my rude behavior yesterday.  It was just a surprise to see you again.  And after everything…  Well I just want to apologize and assure you that I can remain professional despite what happened between us.”
    H e smiles again.  Stop doing that; it’s so distracting. “I completely understand.  You were taken off guard and didn’t expect to see me.”  He looks slightly downcast as he says this like my reaction is not the one he was hoping for.  Stop, I scream at myself, there is no way in hell that he wants you so just stop torturing yourself.  “I trust you found everything in order?”  He says gesturing to the portfolio.  “Shall we sit down to lunch?  I’m sure you have questions for me.”
    “Yes , that would be wonderful.”
    “I took the liberty of ordering from a little deli around the corner.  They have the most wonderful turkey on rye.  I hope that’s okay.  I’ve had such an exhausting morning and these are so good, I felt I needed a little pick me up.”
    Exhausting morning, I ’ll bet.  By the looks of the woman he got out of the car with, I can guess the source of his exhaustion.  Damn, there’s that uncomfortable feeling again.  What’s wrong with me?  Maybe I need to meet someone; I’ve been so focused on my career that I haven’t taken much time to date.  I’ve had a few boyfriends since I moved to the city 3 years ago but nothing that ever lasted longer than a few dates. So yeah since the only man, I have slept with in 3 years is sitting across the table interviewing me for a job; I think a new man might be exactly what I need. Yeah a hot man to roll around in the sheets with.  Maybe tonight while Gavin and I are out…  I shake my head at myself.  What the hell are you thinking?  Look what happened two nights ago when you were out with that exact same thought. I should have stayed with Mark and gone home with him.  But there’s no hope for that now.  Besides, with my life devoted to this new job once again, I’ll have no time for a relationship.  Maybe I should invest in a good B.O.B.
    Ian clears his throat pulling me from my reverie.  “Sorry, what were you saying?”   I blush slightly, knowing that he caught me in the middle of my naughty thoughts.
    “I was asking if you had any questions.”
    Instead of a nice segway into the conversation, I jump straight in.  “Why me?”  I blurt my voice just above a whisper. Turning my eyes toward my sandwich, afraid of the answer that awaits me.
    “Celeste, you are a very bright, hard working, driven young woman.  Your credentials are impeccable for someone so young.  As soon as I saw you , I knew I had to have you.”  The double entendre of that statement is not lost on me, and by the look on his face, he clearly means what he said in both ways. In that moment, I get the feeling that he’s not really talking about the job at all.  Probably just wishful thinking on my part; I have got to get these hormones in check.  “You are well spoken and have a way with people.  That is exactly what I need from someone in this position.  Then there’s, and forgive me for being out of line here, the fact that you’re absolutely stunning.”  Stunning? I’ve never heard that word used to describe me.  I’ve been told by drunk guys at clubs that I’m hot, like I’m really going to bank on that, and Gavin often tells me how beautiful I look.  But I have always thought of myself as being rather ordinary.  My blond hair comes to just past my shoulders but is usually so untamable that it has to go up in a ponytail or bun with lots of pins.  My figure isn’t bad.  I have a small frame; I’m only 5’6 so if I were carrying any more weight you would definitely be able to tell.  I try to take care of myself but I would be lying if I