Unworthy Heart: The Donnellys, Book 1 by Dorothy F. Shaw Read Free Book Online

Randy. You need something?”
    She fumbled with her buttons but managed to get them all closed and in proper order. Taking deep, even breaths to calm her racing pulse, she sat still, listening to the conversation.
    “Yeah, I’m looking for David and Joe. They were supposed to be up here working on some financials,” Randy said.
    Maiya buried her face in her hands, praying he wouldn’t want to come into the room.
    “Ah, yeah, you know, I think they were meeting down on three.” Ryan stepped from the room and closed the door behind him .
    Maiya exhaled the breath she’d been holding and relief washed through her. She heard their muffled voices beyond the door and when they faded, she presumed Ryan walked away from the room with Randy. Waiting another minute or two, she climbed from beneath the table. She smoothed her shirt back in place and ran her fingers through her hair.
    What the hell had she been thinking? No way… No god damn way was she doing this. How the hell did she let this happen? She sat in front of her laptop and began shutting it down—intent on getting out of there before Ryan came back.
    Ryan walked Randy to the elevators, making small talk along the way. “Catch you later, Randy.” Ryan gave him a mock salute.
    “Later.” The man stepped into the elevator and Ryan watched until the doors closed. Closing his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Christ, that was close. The memory of Maiya on his lap rushed back, full force. Man, she was heaven and hell mixed into one. So responsive to him and his demands, it blew his mind.
    He never would’ve thought she’d yield control to him. It intrigued him and made him leery at the same time. He’d been down a road similar to this in the past and wasn’t too keen on traveling it again.
    A definite path to hell, fraught with broken hearts and broken people.
    Maiya acted different in many ways though. But what if she wasn’t? The same in too many ways, and yet, not. Call him a cynical bastard, but women like Maiya didn’t settle down. Ever.
    When he got back to the conference room, she was packing up her laptop. “Damn close.”
    She snorted but said nothing and continued her task.
    Closing the door, he leaned against it and crossed his arms. “Why are you leaving?”
    “You know as well as I do this is a bad idea.”
    “Yeah, it is.” He shrugged. “Still felt good though.”
    She didn’t respond, just stood there, lips pursed, head tilted to the side, her red hair pooling around her shoulders. She was even hotter when annoyed. He knew she was wild, but he hadn’t pegged her for a runner. Shit, he didn’t want her to go. “What? So you’re running?”
    She glared at him. “Whatever, Ryan. I’m going back to my hotel.” She grabbed her bag and walked toward him. “I’ll finish the analysis there.”
    “I’ll come with you.”
    “No. You go home.” She stopped in front of him. “Text me if you have a question about the project. I’m sure I’ll be up late.”
    He watched a figurative mask slide into place over her face. Amazing. In the blink of an eye, she shut him out. “Back to business, huh?”
    “Let’s just forget this happened.” She reached around him for the door handle. “Excuse me.”
    “Yeah, I figured. Typical.” He stepped to the side and opened the door for her.
    She stared into his eyes. Her expression changed for a split second, but the emotion was gone before he deciphered it. Looking away, she walked out.
    Had the comment hurt her feelings? Doubtful. Based on her behavior, it was more than obvious she didn’t care. Why would she? He shut his laptop down. Screw it, if she didn’t care, then neither did he. She was right. This was a very bad idea.
    When Ryan got home, he set up his laptop and then tossed a frozen dinner in the microwave. His cell rang from the coffee table in the living room. Maiya. He ran and snatched it up not bothering to check the screen. “Hello?”
    “Hi, Daddy,” the little voice