Take Me: The Complete Series (Power Play #1-4) by Kelly Harper Read Free Book Online

efforts to beat straight through my sternum.
    “Tell me you’re joking,” I say.
    His grin widens just a fraction before he gives a single shake of his head.
    “We have a meeting with the distributor setup. The final papers are already printed, and if everything goes according to plan, we should have fresh ink on the page by the end of the day.”
    It’s almost impossible to believe what I’m hearing.
    Distribution in Europe was the one thing that Daddy always wanted but was never able to get. He was always a forward thinker, and he knew exactly what the digital revolution would mean for the paper publishing industry. He had been convinced that he was too late to the game with the Barnes Media Group, and that he would never have international print distribution. He had died thinking it was impossible.
    “Declan, I don’t know what to say. That’s so amazing.”
    He waves a hand, nonchalantly.
    “You don’t have to say anything. All you have to do is show up to the meeting. I want you there when it becomes final.”
    I clasp my hands together in front of my chest. My smile has spread from ear to ear and I’m shaking my head in shock and something approaching reverence.
    “I wish Daddy could see what you’ve done with this place. To say he would be proud of you would be an understatement.”
    Declan’s eyes dip down for just a second, and if I didn’t know him as well as I do I probably wouldn’t have caught the subtle sign of embarrassment. When they reconnect with mine, they’re beaming.
    “Coming from you, that means the world to me. More than you know.”
    My breath hitches in my chest when I hear the last part. It’s rare that Declan says something in such a vulnerable way, and it instantly takes me back to that girlhood crush I had on him.
    But I quickly push thoughts like that aside. He’s my boss now, and I’ve already had enough distractions lately to last me for quite some time.
    “So what happened to the meeting this morning?” I ask.
    “Apparently something urgent came up and the meeting had to be pushed back to after lunch.” He fixes me with a devious smile. It’s one I’ve seen on his face many times. “Which means that you have time for the other surprise I have for you.”
    My brow rises.
    “Another surprise?” My mind races, wondering what it could possibly be.
    He nods, slowly.
    “Your new office.”

Chapter 10

    “It’s gorgeous,” I say, clasping a hand to my mouth in shock.
    Declan grins at me as I take everything in. The office he led me to is on the adjacent corner of the building from his own. And it’s beautiful. It’s nearly the same size as his and is furnished with a tiny meeting nook, consisting of four chairs facing each other, and with a similar floor-to-ceiling bookcase, though still void of books. Near the far wall is an oak desk that matches Declan’s, with an expensive, leather chair on the other side.
    “This is too much,” I say. “It’s only my first day on the job, I can’t have an office like this.”
    “Nonsense. You basically own this company and there’s no reason you shouldn’t have an office befitting your position.”
    I try to suppress my groan. He’s right, technically. I do own a significant percentage of the company, but that’s really only on paper. It’s not like I’ve done anything to earn it.
    “I know that look,” he says. His fingers brush along the bottom of my chin, lifting my eyes to his. The sudden feeling of him touching me sends chills through my body. “You can’t blame yourself for what’s happened.”
    “I don’t deserve any of this,” I say. “I’m only barely a college graduate. I don’t know the first thing about running a place like this.”
    He fixes me with a look.
    “You’re not just a college graduate—you’re a Harvard graduate. And you’ve got your father’s blood running through you. That means you’re able to handle anything you set your mind to.”
    Out of nowhere, my thoughts return