Layers Read Online Free Page A

weary-looking brunette comes quickly my way. Extending her hand for a shake, she says, “I’m Miss Bally, Mr. Stark’s personal assistant. Would you like something to drink?” she asks a tad too enthusiastically, fidgeting as she does so. Too much caffeine, Miss Bally?
    “Just water would be great, thank you.” Idly I think to myself, her expression suddenly changed. She became somewhat stressed.
    “Maybe also some coffee. Espresso, was it?” I turn to look at the owner of the voice and there he is with all his bad-boy glory: Daniel.
    “Hi again, Daniel.” I reward him with a smile, feeling slightly uneasy the moment our eyes meet . When has this ever happened to me before? Again, this strange reaction to him.
    “Hello, Miss Grace,” he answers, his lips curved up crookedly; his voice is woven with a hint of joy, hazel eyes twinkling. You seem happy to see me …
    Miss Bally looks at us with round eyes, her lips parted. Perhaps she has a thing for her colleague here. Well, how could she not? How could anybody not, the man oozes sex .
    “I’ll escort Miss Grace to the room,” Daniel snaps at Miss Bally. What’s his problem? Lovers’ quarrel?
    “Well, mmm,” she murmurs, still perplexed. I can totally relate to her reaction toward him. Once we start walking toward Mr. Stark’s office, she composes herself and nods.
    Daniel saunters beside me. I can sense his intent stare on me but refrain from looking back at him. I’d rather not challenge my ability to appear nonchalant. We approach what I believe to be Mr. Stark’s office and he gestures for me to go in first.
    “Here we are,” he declares, searching my eyes. He softly beams and I counter with a full-hearted grin. Observing the inside, I’m dazed by the luxurious space; it’s a vast and modernly-decorated room. The neutral white shade covering the walls doesn’t steal too much focus from the rest of the room but enhances the sophisticated style of the clean-cut furniture, especially the enormous chrome and glass desk that takes center stage. The table consists of a silver Mac and a thin black leather mouse pad, but is otherwise bare.
    There is a gray, wide leather chair next to the desk, both standing steady above shiny mahogany parquet. Facing the foyer are dark glass walls, the type that can’t be seen through from the outside. Figures . When it comes to Mr. Stark, separation seems to be a theme.
    As I get farther inside, Daniel is still accompanying me, that constant wicked glee to his eyes. Yes, he defiantly looks as good as I remembered. And boy, did I remember  …
    “How have you been, Miss Grace?” he asks, casually glancing at me from a guarded distance.
    “Fine, and you?” I tentatively run my eyes over him.
    “Couldn’t be better,” he says, a touch of humor lacing his words.
    “I guess I’ll wait in here. Thank you for showing me the way.” I nod at him with a flirty smile and he mirrors with the same somewhat suggestive gesture. I sit down and quickly examine the table in front of me. I notice my scribbled-on CV on the desk next to Mr. Almighty’s empty chair. Daniel, watching me in an unfathomable manner, circles the table rather than leaving the room and just before I can process what’s going on, he stretches his hand from behind the table.
    “Daniel Stark,” he says solemnly, his eyes radiating humor though there is only a trace of a smile on his lips.
    Oh boy, not good. Not only do I blush this time, my heartbeat starts to accelerate. I’m afraid that the thudding might be audible to the person opposite me.
    Great, just great. What have I gotten myself into now? Let’s see how I’ll get myself out of this one.
    What do I do? Should I say something? What can I possibly say? Hey Mr. Stark, it was nice trashing you. Did you enjoy it as much as I did? I look at him, wishing the earth would part in two and swallow me. “Well, Miss Grace,” he says with a straight face, eyes boring into mine.
    I could not possibly