Romance: One Perfect Holiday by Emily Cooper Read Free Book Online

something, right? 
    “Now,” Mr. Gregory states. “Mr. Winter is single. He’s never married and has no children. And because he’s such a recluse, I can imagine that when he comes out to the city, he might… well, get excited by certain things. So, if you can… you know.”
    “No, Mr. Gregory. I don’t know. Please, explain it to me.”
    He’s not suggesting what I think he is… is he?
    “All I’m saying is that you be nice to him. His assistant said that he’s a lonely man, so don’t hesitate in fluttering those pretty eyelashes of yours at him.”
    I want to slap him in the face.
    My boss wants me to flirt with the client?
    Seriously?
    “My value to this bank is not as a flirty plaything, Mr. Gregory. I hope you’re not suggesting otherwise?” My words are firm and venomous.
    Nothing makes me angrier than transparent sexism.
    “Hey,” he recoils, raising his hands in surrender. “I just meant for you be nice… really nice to the guy. Anyway, I’ll be off. See you in there.”
    He winks and walks out the door, leaving me to take a long, slow deep breath in.
    Then out…
    I need to be calm again before I enter that boardroom in five minutes.
    Relax, Claire, and go to your happy place…
    Suddenly, I’m transported back to the resort.
    Back into the strong and safe arms of Grayson.
    Opening my eyes, I feel somewhat more relaxed and head down the hall towards the boardroom. When I walk in, I greet my fellow team members and executives before taking a seat and flicking through my notes on the G.R Winter file.
    After a few minutes, the door to the room opens again and Mr. Gregory walks in.
    “May I please have your attention, everyone,” he begins. “This is Mr. Grayson Winter.”
    I look up from my notes…
    No, it can’t be…
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Sixteen
     
     

 
     
     
    What?
    This is not happening right now.
    Standing at the entrance to the boardroom, in a tailored, expensive Italian suit, is Grayson.
    As in, the resort Grayson.
    Mr. Billionaire-in-Sheep’s-Clothing.
    “This is Claire Adams. She’s the head assistant on your file.”
    I hadn’t even noticed Mr. Gregory introduce the rest of the team before me – but seeing as he’s stopped short he apparently has.
    Grayson’s eyes connect with mine…
    My heart skips.
    My whole world stops.
    Grayson’s mouth also twitches.
    He’s just as taken aback as I am.
    “Sorry, do you know each other?” Mr. Gregory asks, trying to kill the uncomfortable silence in the room as Grayson and I stare at each other.
    “We might have met once,” Grayson says, breaking his gaze away from me. “But I can’t remember where.”
    Bastard.
    He doesn’t remember me?!
    What bullshit.
    Giving a weak smile, Grayson sits down at the boardroom table with his assistants either side of him.
    Mr. Gregory begins to talk again, but my mind is racing just like my pulse.
    The man that seduced me with his kind-hearted nature is actually a ruthless, discourteous and lying businessman.
    Soon my shock gives way to anger.
    Now, he can’t even look at me.
    I grip my pen so tight that my knuckles turn white. 
    The prick.
    He used me.
    And if I stay in this room any longer, I’m going to reach over and slap that smug businessman smirk right of his face.
    “Excuse me,” I say to my peers and exit the boardroom with speed.
    I race straight back to my office and slam the door shut.
    Argh!
    How infuriating!
    I want to pull my hair out that’s how livid I am.
    But instead, I pace around my office and tell myself everything is going to be okay.
    Just breath, smother that anger and find your center, Claire.
     
    Knock, knock.
     
    Damn it!
    There goes that calming notion.
    How the hell am I going to explain my reason for walking out on the meeting to Mr. Gregory?
    Sorry, but I slept with our most valuable client.
    I don’t think so.
    “Hi, Claire.” His suave, silk-like voice sounds in my office.
    Okay, it’s not Mr. Gregory...
    Crap.
    Grayson shuts