Diamond (Rare Gems Series) Read Online Free Page A

everything.” He raised his hand when she started to speak. “I’ve already told him if he changes one thing on those mock-ups I was going to personally come down there and rip his ass open.”
    “ As I’ve suggested before, I think he needs to be put elsewhere on this project. I believe he’s responsible for the delays we’re having now.” Thad nodded as she continued. “And the guy is a bully. I can’t believe how he talks to his secretary.”
    Thad hadn ’t realized that until Blair had told him while he and Sapphire were visiting three months ago. Sapphire had overheard her crying in the ladies’ room and had talked to her. She’d gotten the entire story from her and then some. Apparently she was leaving the company because of other issues, but since she wouldn’t say what, he had no grounds to fire Morton, more’s the pity.
    Thad leaned over and rubbed the wound on his leg. It was burning again. He had looked at it this morning when he’d gotten in the shower and was surprised at how red it looked. He was going to have to call the doctor when he got home.
    “ You should have Ruby or Diamond look at that. It might be infected.” He looked at Sapphire when she spoke. “We can’t afford to have you ill.”
    “ I’m fine. And Diamond might cut my leg off just for spite. I don’t think she cares for me overly much.” Sapphire just smiled. “How is she? I didn’t see her this morning before we left.”
    “ Still sleeping. I checked on her before I left and she hadn’t moved.” She paused for several seconds before she continued. “What do you think of my sister?”
    If there had ever been a more loaded question , he’d never heard it. He leaned back in his chair and waited for her to clarify what she was asking him. When she didn’t, but instead continued to stare at him, he changed the subject. He was so not going to go down that path.
    “ I have a new product that I’d like you to have a look at. It’s what we talked about before with the drinks. I have someone from one of the manufacturers of the milk and juice companies coming here day after tomorrow. Do you think you can work with them?” She nodded. “Mike is kind of an ass but smart. Caroline is all business, so you’ll like her too.”
    “ Send me what time they’ll be in and I’ll work them in.” She stood up, and so did he. “Diamond won’t be easy. She’s been hurt before, badly. And if you hurt her, I think you know that I’ll hurt you.”
    “ I do. And I have no intentions of hurting her. She just…there’s something about her that I find intriguing. But I’m not going to do anything with her or to her that she won’t consent to. I’m not that sort of person.” She nodded and moved toward the door, but stopped and turned to look at him.
    “ What does she smell like to you?”
    He answered her without thinking about it. “Meadows in the summer and dark rich chocolate. Why?”
    She smiled and left him to stand there. He had no idea why the way Diamond smelled would concern her sister, but he wasn’t used to women like these. Thad wondered why she didn’t just ask her sister what perfume she wore and not him. He sat back down and starred at the computer for ten minutes before he started to work. But by noon he had to go back to the house. His leg was killing him.

Chapter 3
     
    Annabelle was worried about the young man. He was limping more and more as the afternoon wore on , and now he was sweating. She had called Ruby, but she was in the middle of something and said she’d call her back, but that had been over an hour ago. It was time to wake Diamond and have her look at him. But since he’d already refused to go to the doctor, she decided to play him.
    “ I was wondering if you could go up and see if Diamond is awake yet.” He stared at her with glassy eyes, and she knew he was running a fever too. “She should be up by now and I could use her help with the garden.”
    “ I can help you.” She shook