Read Online Darkest Ecstasy by Tawny Taylor - Free Book Online

he have to pick Angela for his little sordid one-nighter? Of all the women in town, why her?
    Angela’s waxed and tweezed brows scrunched. “Michelle, are you okay? You look a little run down.”
    â€œYes, I’m fine. Just tired. I had a late couple of nights this weekend.”
    Angela’s overly lined eyes widened. “Oooh! I’m intrigued. Tell me.”
    â€œMaybe later.” Michelle motioned to her computer, which had finished starting up. “I have a lot of work to do.”
    â€œSure, sure. Later. Say, why don’t we go to lunch? I can tell you about Tage. He’s coming by this afternoon, by the way. He said he wants to talk about some advertising campaigns for his company.”
    Dammit, Angela got him in bed, and now she was getting the account, too. The bitch!
    But what could she do about it? Nothing, that was what. Absolutely nothing. If he wanted to follow his dick, and go to Angela for help at work, that was his choice. There was no law against it. But it did suck.
    Michelle pulled her mouth into what she hoped would pass for a smile. “That’s great.” She started poking at her keyboard, hoping Angela would get the message and leave.
    She didn’t. Ignoring Michelle’s hint, Angela stayed put. Her expression turned all girly and wistful. “Yeah. It’ll be really hard sitting there, talking business. He’s so incredibly handsome, don’t you think?”
    â€œYes, he’s handsome.” And a complete ass.
    â€œYou know,” Angela said, twirling that stupid lock of hair, “when I saw you leaving with him on Friday, I thought you two were dating or something.”
    Me too.
    â€œWell, if you were seeing him, I would want you to tell me. You can say a lot about me, but I wouldn’t steal another woman’s man. Never.”
    Great, now she had to either keep her mouth shut and listen to Angela spout on and on about Tage’s prowess in the bedroom, or admit that she’d misunderstood his invitation to dinner, thinking he was interested in starting some kind of relationship with her. Either way, it was a shitty situation.
    She opted for preserving her pride, smiling, and saying, “Oh no. We’re just friends. He’s not my type.”
    Angela’s brows rose so high they practically blended into her hairline. “Not your type? Tall, handsome, and rich isn’t your type?”
    â€œNo, I prefer short, fat, poor, and pasty white.” Michelle forced a grin.
    Angela’s laugh was nauseating. “You are so funny. Why am I just realizing that now?”
    Because Angela hadn’t bothered to talk to her much before last week, perhaps? “Oh, I think I hide it pretty well when I’m at work.”
    â€œWell, you shouldn’t. People around here like someone who can make them laugh. It doesn’t always have to be serious business. So don’t be afraid to let that inner comedienne out every now and then.”
    â€œI’ll try to remember that, thanks.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Angela tossed her hair. “See you at lunchtime.” And off she flounced, to her office with the door and the window.
    Some people got everything in life. The looks, the promotions, the men. Michelle hated those people.
    Â 
    Michelle knew he was nearby before she saw him. The air around her felt warmer. And little crackles of energy were skipping over her skin. She looked up from her computer screen, swiveled to glance over her shoulder.
    He was watching her.
    She felt her cheeks heating as their gazes met. His lips curled into a semi-smile that made her heart stutter and her mouth dry out. “Hello,” she said, trying not to let him know how much he unnerved her or how hurt and disappointed she’d been after hearing about his little thing with Angela.
    â€œI’m here to talk about advertising plans.”
    â€œYes. Angela told me you were coming in