A Lover's Dream Read Online Free Page B

double doors stood a tall young woman with a café au lait complexion and huge dark eyes. She would have looked severe had it not been for the warmth in her gaze and smile.
    â€œMs. Sellars,” she greeted, stepping forward with an outstretched hand, “so glad you could make it.”
    â€œQuite a place you have here,” Mick noted, as she surveyed her surroundings with an unabashed eye.
    â€œIndeed,” the woman agreed with a chuckle. “I’m Jasmine Hughes, administrative director for the Ramsey Group.”
    Mick nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
    â€œI apologize for the cloak-and-dagger feel to the meeting, but the guys want to keep the staff and the rest of the family out of this for the time being.”
    â€œI understand,” Mick assured her, then fixed Jasmine with a sly smile. “The guys, don’t you mean, the gods ?”
    Jasmine laughed then, her cheeks darkening a bit as she grew flushed. “I see you’ve been talking to your publisher.”
    â€œMmm, and she really enjoyed your conversation.”
    Jasmine was shaking her head. “She really has a way of coaxing information out of people.”
    Mick leaned close. “Don’t tell her I said so, but she’s even better at it than I am.”
    â€œWell, nothing I said was an exaggeration, I promise you,” Jasmine said, while pushing her hands into the pockets of her lime-green pantsuit. “The guys are cool, but you’ll see that for yourself.”
    Mick’s smile disappeared to a halt. “Uh, Jasmine?”
    She turned. “Yes?”
    Mick saw the expectant look in the woman’s eyes and prayed she wouldn’t offend her. “I don’t know how much Contessa told you about my work, but I don’t write entertainment pieces. I dig deep for my stories, and if the gods believe the other is the sort of work I do, I’m afraid they’ll be very disappointed.”
    Jasmine didn’t appear the least bit offended as she nodded in understanding. “Quiet as kept, but I’m very familiar with your work, Ms. Sellars. It’s one of the reasons I was so excited about the guys speaking with you. Many are eager for the story and many are against it, and unless one person in particular changes his mind, this book may never be written.”
    Before Mick could question the foreboding statement, Jasmine was waving her hands in the air.
    â€œHere we are,” she announced when they approached a lone elevator. “This will take you straight up to the office,” she said as Mick stepped inside the car. “Good luck,” she added just before the doors closed.
    Inside the walnut-paneled car, Mick closed her eyes. She was unused to feeling on edge about anything or anyone .
    â€œCalm down, Mick,” she told herself, “you’re about to meet with the gods.”
    Â 
    The elevator’s dark pine doors opened with a quiet swoosh and Mick took a moment to step out. Her stylish open-toed wedge heels sank into a thick black carpet. The area was bathed in dim lighting and was only partially illuminated by the calming glow that radiated from at least four gargantuan aquariums spaced throughout the room.
    The sound of the central air-conditioning combined with the aquarium’s ventilators provided a soothing hum that enhanced the mellow ambience of the office.
    â€œHello?” she called out, her voice sounding soft and melodic in the quiet atmosphere.
    There was no answer, but Mick barely noticed as she was already strolling toward the bay of miniature landscapes in one corner. There were at least four of the shellacked oak boxes that reached her waist. The models were obvious replicas of Ramsey Group constructions. Mick studied each one, growing entranced by the detail put into each display.
    A gasp slipped past her mouth when she discovered a massive world map that partially filled the opposite wall. It too was lit by dim spotlights and