Darkest Ecstasy Read Online Free Page A

Nobody, other than Tom, was still in the office.
    She shut down her computer, stood, and stretched muscles that were sore and tight. Neck. Legs, Back. After loosening up, she grabbed her purse and headed out of the suite. As she was waiting in the hallway for the elevator, her phone rang.
    Mom.
    Glad to hear a friendly voice, she answered. “Hi, Mom.”
    â€œHello, honey,” her mother said. “Thank you for the nice gift.”
    Gift? She hadn’t sent a gift. “Mom, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said as she pushed the elevator button again. Why was the stupid thing taking so long?
    â€œThe box was delivered a little while ago. It’s my favorite chocolates. It had to be you.”
    â€œNo, Mom. It wasn’t me. Are you sure you didn’t order them for yourself and forget?”
    â€œNo. I wouldn’t do that. Let me see if there’s a card or a receipt.” The sound of rustling paper echoed through the phone. “No, nothing.”
    â€œThat’s odd.”
    â€œYes, it is. If it wasn’t you, who would send me these?”
    â€œI have no idea. Why don’t I come over to check it out? It’s a little strange that you’ve received a gift out of the blue and you have no idea who sent it. You can never be too careful. Maybe you should set the box aside until I get there?”
    â€œWell, that’s just silly. Who would send a gift to hurt me?”
    â€œGood question. I’m sure it’s fine. But just in case, you should probably either figure out where they came from or toss them.” Finally, the bell chimed.
    â€œThrowing away Epiphany Chocolates would be a crime. I won’t throw them away.”
    The elevator door rumbled open, and she scurried inside. It was empty, except for her. She poked the button for the first floor. “Okay, then I’ll help you figure out who sent them. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
    â€œGood. I’ll make your favorite for dinner.”
    â€œWonderful. See you soon.”
    â€œBye, dear.”
    She clicked off, dropped her phone into her purse, and took a few deep breaths.
    What a crazy day. First she’d almost gotten fired for losing a huge account and now this. The car lurched to a stop. The bell chimed. And approximately a zillion seconds later the door opened.
    Feeling extra creeped out in the dark parking structure, she didn’t walk, or even race-walk, to her car; she ran like a scaredy-cat. When she reached it, she remoted the locks, tossed her purse onto the passenger seat, flung herself into the driver’s seat, and rammed the key into the ignition. The second she grabbed hold of the gearshift, a knock pounded on her window.
    Her heart slammed against her breastbone.
    Her head snapped to the left.
    It was Tall, Dark, and Mysterious.
    Where the hell had he come from?
    Her hand trembled a tiny bit as she powered down the window.
    He smiled. It was so bright and friendly she couldn’t help smiling back, despite the fact that her heart was still racing so fast she felt light-headed. “Hi,” he said through the open window. “I just found a phone over by the door.” He tipped his head toward the building. “It looks like you’re the only one out here, so I thought I would check to see if it’s yours.” He lifted the phone so she could see it. “If it isn’t, I’ll turn it in to security tomorrow.”
    Black. Touch screen. With a hot pink cover. “I think . . . it looks like my phone. It might be mine. It was in my purse.” After flicking a glance at her open purse, still sitting on the seat beside her, she extended a hand out the window. As he placed the phone in it, his fingers lightly brushed against her skin, and a little zing of electricity buzzed through her. After she recovered from the mini-electrical shock she’d received, she swiped the screen. There could be no doubt. It was