His to Possess #5: Entangled Read Online Free

calls me by my first name. You should, too.”
    “Yes … Rafe.” It didn’t even occur to her to call him Storm, since that’s not who this man was.
    But the name Rafe did not roll off her tongue and it must have sounded awkward to him. He glanced at her sharply and his gaze locked on her. Then he frowned.
    She quickly strode to her office and put away her things, then grabbed her notepad and pen. She glanced up to see Melanie standing at her door.
    “Here’s the file for the meeting.” Her expression was cool and her voice emotionless.
    “Thanks, Melanie.” She stepped across the room and took the file. “Look, I—”
    “You should get in there. He’s waiting for you.”
    Jessica pursed her lips and nodded.
    *   *   *
    Rafe’s style at the meeting was different than Dane’s He was warmer, a little friendlier, and asked more questions, as opposed to Dane’s no-nonsense, move-it-along style but, like his brother, he was exceedingly confident and very much in control.
    After the meeting, he told her she’d done a great job, even though all she’d done was stay out of the way and take notes. After that, she’d left his office to leave him to his work.
    She went back to her own office and dropped off her notebook, then walked to Melanie’s desk.
    “Melanie, here’s the folder back.”
    Melanie was Rafe’s secretary and would file it for him. Melanie just nodded and continued typing.
    Jessica drew in a deep breath. “Can we get coffee together? I’d really like to talk.”
    Melanie’s fingers stopped moving and her gaze turned to Jessica. Sparks of anger danced in her eyes.
    “Melanie, you’re my friend and I want it to stay that way. Please can we talk about this.”
    Melanie shrugged, then nodded. “I guess I could use a cup of coffee.” She grabbed the phone and called for someone to take over answering her incoming calls, then she retrieved her purse from her desk drawer and stood up.
    As they got on the elevator, Melanie said, “It’s a nice day. Why don’t we go down to the courtyard?”
    A few minutes later, they stepped out the lobby door into the warm morning air and picked up a coffee at the coffee shop on the corner, then went down the steps to the courtyard next to the building and sat on one of the benches overlooking the large pots of brightly colored flowers.
    Jessica turned to Melanie. “I’m really sorry things turned out like this. What did Rafe tell you about us?”
    Melanie shrugged. “That he met you in Bakersfield. So I know he’s your ex.” She caught Jessica’s gaze. “He’s the man who broke your heart.”
    “That’s true. And now he’s back.”
    “And you slept with him last night.” At Jessica’s guilty expression, Melanie continued. “I made the arrangements for your trip home and I knew Rafe decided to pick you up. Then you didn’t come back to the apartment last night and you both show up here together.”
    “Melanie, I know you have feelings for him. I would never have gotten involved with him in the first place if—”
    “I know.” Melanie stared at the coffee cup in her hand. “You were involved with him long before you met me. I get it. I’m sorry, it’s just hard, that’s all. You’re one of my best friends and you’re sleeping with the man I’ve wanted for such a long time. It just doesn’t seem fair.” She tipped her head sideways. “You do remember the part about him breaking your heart, right?”
    Jessica’s lips compressed. “How could I forget?”
    Jessica nodded. Then, to her surprise, Melanie smiled.
    “You know what’s really not fair?”
    “What?” Jessica asked.
    “That you have not only one, but two Ranier men who want you. I’d kill for just Rafe. So what about Mr. Ranier? I mean Dane?”
    Jessica sighed. “It’s pretty clear he wants it to end between us. He doesn’t want to do anything to ruin his relationship with his brother.”
    Melanie nodded. “He has missed Rafe. He’s changing the business in