Read Online Her Perfect Valentine Birthday Surprise by Ana E. Ross - Free Book Online Page B

wanted to see me.”
       “Oh, yes,” he said absentmindedly, as if he had forgotten he had called for me.  He still did not turn around.
       But again, my heart jumped.  “Mr. Tanner,” I said in a tentative voice.  “I can’t stay past four and I have to finish a report—”
       “You were late on your first day, Ms. Ryder.  What makes you think you still have a job?”
       His cool blatant threat really shook me up.  I never thought he would fire me for being late.  I shifted my weight and cleared my throat again.  “I’m sorry I was late.  It was unavoidable—”
       “I’m not interested in your excuses.  I’m interested in your ability to be responsible, efficient, and punctual.  You are being paid to be here at eight o’clock.  I do not tolerate tardiness.”
       “Yes, sir.  It will not happen again.”
       “See that it doesn’t.”
       I was about to leave, when he suddenly swiveled around.
       I almost collapsed when those sapphire-blue eyes pierced me to the core.  My hand flew to my throat, as my heart seemed to lodge there.  He was the man in the elevator this morning, but he and I went further back than two hours ago.  No wonder my heart had been jumping at the sound of his voice.  It recognized him, even if my mind refused to.
       “So it’s Elizabeth,” he finally said, his eyes roaming the entire length of me.
       I saw the same desire I’d seen in him, six years ago when our eyes first locked across that bar. At five-four, with long brown hair and big brown eyes, I’ve been told that I’m very attractive.  I wet my lips and gazed at those intense blue eyes and wide sexy mouth that had haunted me for years.  He was still the kind of man a woman wanted to take home for some passionate loving even if she didn’t know his name.  But he was older, more mature, and far more irresistible.
       Even as wanton desires mounted inside me, I feared him.  He’d turned my world upside down five years ago.  It was because of him that David and I hadn’t worked out.  I mean, I was perfectly happy and contented with my life until he strolled into it, gave me a glimpse of Paradise, and left me forever craving for more.  This time it would be far more devastating.   I had much more to lose.
       My eyes inadvertently wandered toward his left hand.  I felt a stab in my heart when I saw the bright platinum gold band wrapped around his ring finger.  My gaze landed on a picture frame on his desk.  Yep, he had a wife and two adorable little daughters who looked about three and one-year old, respectively.
       Given the delicate situation, I thought my best defense was to act as if I didn’t recognize him.  “Mr. Tanner, it’s nice meeting you, at last.”  I held his gaze, unflinching.  I didn’t dare offer him my hand.
       “I expect you to work an extra fifteen minutes to make up for your tardiness.”
       My pretending to not recognize him had clearly annoyed him, but I didn’t care.  I couldn’t start harboring stupid fancy notions about him.  The past needed to stay in the past; besides the man was married.  “I can’t do that,” I said as diplomatically as possible.  “I will give up my lunch hour, but I cannot work past four.”
       “You keep saying that.”  He finally rose and walked toward me.  “What is so important that you have to leave at precisely four o’clock?”
       I wanted to tell him that it was none of his business.  I wished he had stayed seated, because his nearness was disarming.  What was it about this man who had the power to knock all good common sense out of my head like he’d done that night, six years ago?
       “I never forgot, Elizabeth.  Even after all these years, I can’t get you out of my head.  I remember every single moment we spent together in that hotel room.  You infected me that night.  You’re in my blood.”
       Don’t trust him , my head