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

said I didn’t love a good cheeseburger.  I’m fairly toned though my exercise routine is somewhat lacking.  I enjoy a run when I have time; it helps to clear my head and Gavin is always dragging me to yoga with him on the promise of hot, sweaty men and a latte afterward.  But stunning?
    I ’m staring, mouth agape, sandwich in hand as I was about to take a bite.  I look anywhere else around the room but refuse to meet his eyes. Anything to keep from having to focus on him and his answer to the question that has been plaguing me since yesterday.  He inhales deeply, “That’s completely out of line for me to say but it’s the truth.”  And the smile is back.  Holy lord, please just let me make it out this meeting without leaving a wet spot on my skirt.  Good thing I went with black today. I shift in my seat bringing my legs together to try to help with the tension building in my lower abdomen.  I can’t take many more of those smiles.
    “ Is that all?”  He says as if he expects me to have more questions for him.
    “The hours are a bit over the top but so is the pay so I think that will work out fine.  I don’t have any other commitments presently so being on call 24/7 shouldn’t be a problem.”  I give him a small smile to let him know I’m teasing.
    “When would you be able to start?”
    “Immediately.  Being that it’s Thursday I can understand if you want me to wait to start until Monday though.”
    “I think immediately is a better idea,” he says. His eyes are slightly glazed over with an emotion that I can ’t recognize then recovering himself he goes on, “but tomorrow is more practical.  I have a charity event to attend at the Ritz Carlton and will need you to accompany me.  So if you can just sign the contract, I will get everything ready and have you go down to HR to finish up the paperwork.  They will also give you a stipend so that you can purchase a dress for tomorrow evening.  It is formal.  My tuxedo is black so anything will do.  Take the morning for your shopping.  Hopefully you can find something suitable in that time and then meet me in the office around 1:00 p.m.”
    Holy crap , we’re jumping right into things, aren’t we?  I manage to acknowledge him and pick up the pen and sign the contract before sliding it back over to him.  He looks slightly uneasy, like he’s already regretting his decision.  Maybe I should say something.  “Please,” he says before I can make my mouth work, “enjoy your lunch.  I have some phone calls to attend to.  Just leave everything when you’re finished; Danielle will get it.” I nod in understanding even though I don’t understand anything.  His demeanor is cold, stand-offish, not at all the way he was when we started our lunch.  Why had his mood changed so drastically in the last few minutes?  “I will put in a call to HR first and let them know you will be down shortly.”  Finally connecting my brain with my mouth, I say thank you and he stands and leaves me to finish my lunch alone.

Chapter 5
     
    Well , that was the strangest meeting ever and what’s up with the icy departure.  I take a few more bites of my sandwich then make my way down to HR where I should have come when I got here yesterday. I’m greeted by… Oh dear lord, could this day get any better?   Before me is the auburn haired vixen that I saw exiting Ian’s car earlier.
    “Celeste?  I’m Rebecca Caldwell, head of Human Resources for Jacobs Enterprises.  It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She says as she extends her hand but her face doesn’t match her cheery words.  She gives me an icy stare and looks like she would prefer to slap me rather than shake my hand.  What’s going on around here?  Does my face scream, “I slept with your boyfriend” or something?  “Let’s get the paperwork done and then you can be on your way.”  She’s obviously in a hurry to be rid of me.
    I spend about an hour filling out forms; by the