Read Online Stolen Breaths by Pamela Sparkman - Free Book Online Page A

points?”
    “Nah. Just trying to keep them from getting jealous.”
    I laughed. “Right.”
    He cleared his throat. “I actually called you for a reason.”
    “And what reason would that be?”
    “I’m about to head out to work, but was wondering if you would like to meet me later?”
    “Yeah, sure. Sounds great.”
    “We can do lunch if you’re good with that.”
    “Okay. Where?”
    “Meet me at my office at noon. I’ll text you directions.”
    “Okay, I’ll see you at noon.”

    “Hi, you must be Lily. I’m Cora, Mr. Hudson’s assistant. He told me he was expecting you,” she said warmly, extending her hand toward a couple of chairs located behind me. “Have a seat and I’ll let him know you’re here.”
    Cora was tall and thin. I would guess her to be somewhere in her fifties. Her sandy colored hair was extremely neat and every hair in its place, unlike mine, which was a mess of curls today due to the humidity. She wore a slim fitted black pencil skirt that fell below the knee and a cream color blouse with a bow that flowed from the neck. She was the epitome of professionalism.
    “Thank you.”
    She picked up the phone and I heard her say, “Mr. Hudson, Lily is here. Yes, sir.” She walked over to me and said, “Follow me, Lily. I’ll show you to his office.”
    I stood up, placed my purse strap over my shoulder, and followed her down the hall to a pair of double doors at the very end. Behind those double doors was a giant sized office with a mahogany desk in the center, with book shelves lining the walls along the back. There were floor to ceiling windows along one wall and a large flat screen TV was hung on the adjacent wall.
    Cooper was seated behind his desk and he looked up when we walked through. A broad smile appeared across his face. “Lily,” he said, focusing on me. He turned his gaze toward Cora. “Thank you, Cora.” She quietly closed the door behind her.
    Cooper stood up and placed his hands inside the front pockets of his black dress pants. He wore a light blue button down dress shirt and a striped blue and white tie. Taking in the beautiful creature in front of me, I decided that blue looked good on him.
    “Wow,” he said, “you look beautiful!” He moved from behind his desk and walked toward me. Stopping in front of me, he reached for my hands and lifted them up and out to the sides to gain a better view. His eyes scanned me from head to toe and then rested on my gaze.
    “Thank you,” I said shyly. It was always hard for me to accept compliments. I don’t know why.
    “That dress is ….wow,” he said, looking as though he could devour me with his eyes. It was a simple red cotton sundress with spaghetti straps that hit just above the knee and cinched at the waist, although I did dress it up with a nude high heel. “Stunning.”
    I looked down at my dress, trying to figure out what was so spectacular about it, and then gave up. “Thank you. You look rather nice yourself. This is the first time I’ve seen you in a tie, I think.”
    “I only wear ties at work. I feel like I’m being choked.” And with that he tugged at his tie, trying to loosen its grip. Then he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me toward the double doors. “Ready? Are you hungry?”
    “Starved,” I said. I really was. I had skipped breakfast and was running on empty.
    “Then let’s get you fed.”
     
    I ordered a cheeseburger and fries, as did Cooper. By the time the waiter brought us our food I was famished. I was halfway through my burger when I looked up and caught Cooper staring at me. He had a mischievous grin plastered across his face.
    “What?” I asked, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
    “I’m just watching you eat. You weren’t kidding when you said you were hungry.”
    Embarrassed now and wondering how ridiculous I must look to him diving into my food like this was my last meal I said, “Sorry. The burgers are really good here.”
    “Why are you apologizing? I