When I'm With You Part IV Read Online Free Page A

Elise from you for a moment? I need some clarification on her tax information from when she was under salary. I promise it won’t take long,” Lucien said to Denise.
    â€œOf course; she’s been working nonstop, and the lunch rush is almost over,” Denise said as she ladled some steaming tomato bisque into a bowl and garnished it with goat cheese and freshly baked croutons. Elise respected Denise and was thankful that they got along so well. Compared to many chefs she knew, Denise possessed a very even temperament. She’d never learned better how to shut up and tamp down her pride than she had in cooking school, working with so many large personalities.
    No, that wasn’t entirely correct. She’d never learned better how to restrain her pride until she’d encountered Lucien in Chicago, she thought as she wiped off her hands and approached the tester-of-her-temper himself. He tilted his head in a request for her to follow him. By the time he’d led her silently to his office and shut the heavy carved door, she was starting to get nervous. She hadn’t believed him for a moment when he’d mentioned the tax information. Everything she’d given him had been correct and up to date.
    She watched him as he went behind his desk and sat. He was wearing a pair of jeans today, the fit of them highly distracting, along with an open collared white shirt and a black blazer that emphasized his wide shoulders. Behind his huge mahogany desk, he looked every inch the commanding, compelling lord of the manor.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked him shakily.
    He blinked at her question. “Nothing is wrong. Why would you assume something is?” he asked, a smile pulling at his mouth.
    â€œIt’s just . . . you don’t usually call me back here.” Her hand instinctively strayed to her bottom as she recalled him punishing her here in his office. His gaze flickered downward. His smile widened.
    â€œHave you been bad, Elise?” he asked, his tone a low, sexy tease.
    Damn those dimples of his. Realizing she’d been touching her ass, she pulled her hand away.
    â€œOf course I haven’t. Why did you ask to speak with me?” she asked curiously.
    â€œI thought you’d like to know I have bought you a mare.”
    Her heart leapt. His smile widened as he studied her reaction.
    â€œYou bought me a horse?” she asked excitedly, approaching his desk. “Where is she? When do I get to see her?”
    He held up his hands in a pause gesture. “I’ll take you to the stables this evening after I close Fusion.”
    She made a frustrated sound.
Lucien had bought her a horse.
“I can’t wait that long.”
    â€œYou will, because you must,” he told her with a pointed look that was softened by a fond smile. “You’re going to love her.”
    â€œI know,” she said irrepressibly.
    â€œHow do you know?” he said, chuckling as he stood and came around the desk.
    â€œBecause you bought her for me,” she said. He looked surprised when she rushed him and threw her arms around his waist. When she glanced up after she’d given him a hug, she saw that he was also pleased. His arm slid around her back. He reached up and touched her cheek softly.
    â€œYou look radiant,” he murmured, caressing her. “It’s like holding on to sunshine, having you in my arms.”
    Warmth flooded her at his off-the-cuff compliment.
    â€œIt must be the beauty rest you’re getting every night,” he said.
    â€œIf it is, it’s the beauty rest you give me,” she said breathlessly, feeling lightheaded at suddenly finding herself in his arms. She arched against him provocatively, pressing her breasts against his ribs and chafing the tips by rubbing back and forth an inch or two. She felt his body stir. A low sound of satisfaction purred in her throat.
    His expression hardened. He gently peeled her arms