Take Me: Part 3 (Power Play #3) Read Online Free

that it was the right thing to do. But with every day that passes it gets harder and harder to remember the reasons I made the decision in the first place.
    On Wednesday I get to the office at the usual time, but when I make it to my desk there’s already a Post-It note stuck to the monitor of my computer. My stomach twists tightly even before I begin reading what’s written on it.

    Come see me when you get in,
    Declan

    Declan’s back already? And he wants to see me?
    My mind races through all the things that Declan could possibly want to talk about first thing in the morning. He probably wants to know where we stand on the European deal. It’s been days and I still haven’t received a single text or phone call from Isaac. I’m going to have to tell Declan that it’s not going to happen.
    When I get to his office and tap on the door, he calls for me to enter. My pulse races as I step inside. His office is nearly a mirror image of my own, but there’s something very foreboding about it this morning. Declan is stooped over his desk, scribbling something on a piece of paper. He’s wearing one of his expensive, tailored suits and he barely gives me a passing glance as I sit in one of the leather chairs across from him.
    I sit there and wait patiently for him to acknowledge me. He’s focused on writing something on his computer, and when he finally finishes he leans back in his expensive chair with a satisfied grin on his face. His crystal blue eyes take all of me in, there’s a jovial lightness to them this morning.
    “You’re probably wondering why I called you here,” he states, matter-of-factly.
    “The thought had crossed my mind.”
    I wish my voice didn’t sound so uncertain and nervous. Now he knows just how nervous I am.
    Declan studies me for a moment longer before he stands and makes his way around his huge, oak desk. As he eases himself into the leather chair next to me, he says, “There was something I needed to say, and it’s been a long time coming. Too long.” He crosses his legs and rests a finger on his lip as he watches my reaction.
    Oh boy, here we go. I guess if we have to have a heart-to-heart we might as well get it over with. I nod for him to continue. He taps that finger against his lip, studying me for another couple moments before saying anything more.
    “I owe you an apology,” he says, simply.
    Did I just hear him right?
    “An apology?” I repeat, dumbly.
    He nods.
    “I’ve been acting like an entitled little brat ever since you came back to town. And I’ve been treating you like the little girl you were when you went off to Cambridge all those years ago.” He lets out a soft breath as his lips pull into a gentle smile. “I haven’t seen you for the woman that you’ve become. And for that, I’m very sorry. I hope that you can forgive me.”
    I stare at him, blankly, for what feels like an eternity. Declan just… apologized? It’s the last thing I expected when he called me into his office. It takes a while to process exactly what he’s saying, and to remember how to use my words to form sentences.
    “It’s no big deal.” I wave a hand, dismissively, suddenly not wanting to give him a piece of my mind on the very thing he brought up.
    He leans forward a little, drawing closer to me, and gives a quick shake of his head.
    “No, it is a big deal. I need you to know that I do see the woman you’ve become, the woman you were always meant to be. And it’s time that I start treating you like that woman.”
    Heat rushes to my cheeks with every flattering word he speaks, and an embarrassed smile spreads across my face. That might have been the sweetest thing Declan has ever said to me.
    “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
    It’s about the only thing I trust myself to say. Declan studies me for another second, then the soft smile on his face spreads even wider.
    “Good. Now that we’ve got the important stuff out of the way, we need to talk some business.” My