Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) Read Free Page A

at the woman who stared back at me from the shiny
doors. Fortunately, I didn’t have a long wait. Most folks were at lunch or
leaving, so the trip up to the thirtieth floor was quick.
    Exiting the elevator, I noticed Renee patiently waiting at
her desk for my arrival. She flashed me a halfcocked smile, which made me
wonder if I was late or had done something wrong. If I had, I was sure Apolo Choice would be the first to inform me of my misdeed.
    Renee led me once again to the ever-closed door, knocking
before opening it. She held it as I walked past. Her face was impossible to read.
    And then, there he was, standing in front of the wall of
windows just to the left of his desk. He was facing us, his hands shoved deep
into the pockets of his suit pants. His jacket hung open, showing off another
crisp, white shirt. Drawn to those gray eyes, I made a mental note of how they
matched the graphite color of his suit.
    The door shut quietly behind me as I stood in awe of this
man, this sex god. He wore a lopsided grin on his bronzed face, as though he’d
been through this scene before. Countless times, with a slew of women, no
doubt. They all halted in their tracks, breathless at what stood in front of
them. Oh yeah, he knew he looked good.
    He took a step forward. “Hello, Caitlyn, it’s nice to see
you again.” He extended his arm toward a small table off to one side of the
room. On it were two plates covered with silver cloches. Lunch was served, and
whatever it was, it was a far cry from my usual pickings of salad or
sandwiches. “I hope you’re hungry. I had Renee order something special.”
    “Yes, hello,” I replied as I made my way toward the food. “You
didn’t have to go to such trouble. I would have been fine with a sandwich or
something.” Suddenly, I was aware of him relieving me of my pad and pen. His
long fingers briefly touched mine and sent my pulse coursing through me.
    Apolo pulled a chair out for me,
pushing it in gently as I sat. Removing a cover, he leaned over and did the
same with his. Two small steaks with asparagus and new potatoes.
    “I hope your steak is done the way you like. I took a gamble
and had Renee order it medium rare.”
    “That’s perfect,” I replied nervously.
    He sat down across from me, his eyes sparkling as though
amused by my manners. “This is lunch, Caitlyn. Simply a way to get to know each
other, nothing more. Relax.” He lifted his white, cloth napkin and slid it onto
his lap. His gray eyes twinkled, full of mischief.
    “I am,” I lied. “Your invitation caught me off guard, that’s
all.”
    We both said nothing, instead concentrating on the meal in
front of us. I cut a piece of the meat and popped it into my mouth. The beef
was so tender it almost melted away.
    I almost choked at his next remark.
    “Tell me, Caitlyn, are you dating, casually or otherwise? I
don’t see an engagement ring, so I assume there is no one serious in your life.”
    “What business is that of yours? Besides none!” I shot back.
I inhaled a deep breath and held it for a couple seconds, hoping I hadn’t
overstepped some invisible line with my retort.
    “Curious, that’s all.” He eyed me from the other side of the
table as I tried desperately not to expose myself to him. Again, his gray eyes
seemed to dance in amusement at my reaction. “That’s what I thought. There is
no one. Good.” The corners of his mouth curled up, and a faint smile appeared
before he took a bite of steak.
    I noted the elegance with which he ate. He fastidiously used
his cutlery in the European fashion now in vogue in our country. As at ease as
he was, it was obvious the man had been schooled in the finer things from an
early age.
    “Good, how? You’re my boss Mr. Choice, and I make it a habit
never to date my employers or co-workers..”
    The air between us hung heavy. With what, I wasn’t quite
sure, but if I had to guess by the dampness I felt between my thighs, I’d say
it was pure sex.
    He chuckled,