Read Online More Than You Know by Jennifer Gracen - Free Book Online

humidity in the summer air had made the waves in her hair more pronounced, but at least the expensive product she’d used had tamed the deadly frizz she’d suffered from as a kid. Her clothes had barely wrinkled, for which she was grateful. The sleeveless royal blue silk top and white pencil skirt still looked fresh. Her open-toe white wedge sandals were comfortable but attractive. She took a deep breath, released it, and stared into the mirror.
    Forty-one, Jules. Took forty-one years to get to this place. You survived. It’s your turn.
    Her eyes took on an energized sparkle and her chin lifted a notch as she popped another mint into her mouth. Let’s do this.
    She left the restroom to return to the lobby. Halfway across, she stopped in her tracks. Dane was standing by the large wall of windows that looked out to the street beyond. Sunlight shone through the glass, backlighting him dramatically. His dark curls were just a bit too long for business standards, and she had a feeling he liked it that way. His square jaw was covered with light stubble, another poke at the business world, letting everyone know that he was a man who did as he pleased. It also made him even sexier, damn him. Standing tall and sure, his trim frame dressed in a crisp white button-down shirt and dark gray slacks, he was even more handsome than she’d remembered. He was breathtaking, actually. Just looking at him made all her body parts jump to life, made her blood sing in her veins and her skin tingle. Ohhh, this was not good. She couldn’t have such visceral reactions every time she saw this man. He was her boss now.
    He spotted her across the lobby and flashed a grin. She swallowed hard as a wallop of heat spread through her. A grin like that should be registered as a lethal weapon. With all of her senses heightened and her head screaming red alert, she pulled out her most professional smile and crossed the rest of the way to meet him.
    â€œGreat to see you again, Julia,” Dane said. “Glad you could come.” His brilliant blue eyes swept over her briefly. There was both quick approval and the ever-present spark of light amusement there, like he had a joke or a secret to share. She wanted to be let in on that secret. She wanted a lot of things where this man was concerned, and all of them were naughty, if not downright wicked. He stretched out a welcoming hand.
    She slipped her hand into his to shake it and felt a jolt of desire as she touched his warm skin, like she’d read about in books. Her hormones raged like a teen’s, and that jarred her. But with measured cool, she said, “Likewise. Thanks for asking me. I really wanted to get a feel for the setup of the lounge. I appreciate your taking the time to show me around. I’m sure you’re very busy.”
    â€œI am, but not too busy for this. It’ll be a pleasure.” His grin widened into a proud smile as his eyes flickered around the lobby, then back to her. “So? What do you think so far?”
    â€œYour lobby and ladies’ room are both magnificent,” she teased.
    He laughed and touched a hand to the small of her back. “Wait ’til you see the rest of it.”
    His tiny but intimate gesture kindled flames of lust in her, sending heat to all her most sensitive spots. Oh, what she could do with this man under different circumstances. Five years plus of an age difference didn’t make her a cougar, did it? So what if it did. She didn’t care. Being near him was excruciating, making every nerve ending alert and alive, and the growing, tingling tension building low in her belly was making its way to between her legs. The effect he had on her was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Kelvin had been right: pure chemistry. She ignored the way her heart was pounding in heavy thumps as they walked side by side down a long hallway.
    â€œSo,” she said, desperate to get her mind off her wayward thoughts.