Desire Part Two (The Desire Series Book 2) Read Free

what he held in his hand. The cylinder undoubtedly contained the floor plans that she’d been on her way to retrieve from him. 
    “I was just on my way to get them,” Maddie replied.
    He offered her the tubing. She grasped the cylinder but he did not release it. Their eyes clashed. Maddie had not said thank you and obviously Whit was waiting for her to do so. It irritated Maddie to no end to show the least bit of gratitude to him for any reason. But it was clear that he would not give her the floor plan until she did.
    “Thank you,” she said gruffly.
    “You’re welcome,” he returned amiably.
    He let go of the cylinder. Maddie turned her back to him and sat at her desk. She took the floor plan out of the cylinder and spread them out on her desk. He sat on the corner of it.
    “Tell me your ideas for the house,” he said with interest. “What color and design schemes are you considering? And for which rooms in the house?”
    Maddie started. She hadn’t expected him to show real interest in what she was doing. She had pegged him as an insufferable oaf with little knowledge or interest in design. His familiarity with the subject surprised her. He looked over her shoulder at the specs then raised an eyebrow at her, awaiting her answer. She answered his question which led to many more from him. They soon were engaged in a lively conversation about materials, paint vs wall paper, furnishings and window treatments.
    “My confidants did not exaggerate. You have a keen eye and vivid imagination. I look forward to seeing this project come together,” he observed.
    “You checked up on me?” Maddie asked in shock.
    “Of course. I wanted to know everything about this company before purchasing it and that included you. I always employ due diligence, Madison” he remarked.
    “Well, I’m glad I passed muster,” she said irritably.
    Whit observed her closed expression. Damn it! What had he said? He had given her a compliment but it had incited her ire. They had been getting along smoothly. She was animated and alive when she was discussing her work. Her green eyes had twinkled with amusement and her guard was down. Her vibrant red hair kept falling in her face and she continually brushed it back. The action was somehow extremely erotic and he had wanted to hold her hair back and kiss her tempting neck. She’d been relaxed and responded to him as a friendly colleague. They had discussed the design and been in perfect agreement. They had shared a common bond and he didn’t want to lose that connection with her. But now she was annoyed with him and he wasn’t sure what had caused it. What had ticked her off? She pushed her chair back from the desk and stood.
    “Excuse me,” she said abruptly as she left the cubicle.
    Whit’s expression was thoughtful as he watched her walk briskly out of the office. He knew she had to be upset over recent events but she was holding it together. He admired that quality of strength and perseverance in her. She refused to allow his actions to disrupt her game plan. He had heard that she was driven and ambitious and that she wanted to establish her own interior design company. Having spent time with her while she fashioned her creative vision, he had little doubt that she would manifest her dream.
     
    *****
     
    Maddie trudged up the walkway of the red brick apartment building and unlocked the modern security door. Entering the building she crossed the foyer to her mail box. Maddie sighed as she pulled out only one letter of significance. The rest was junk mail. Crossing the hall she stopped before her first floor apartment and unlocked the door. Luckily she did not run into her loquacious landlady. She didn’t feel up to friendly chatter. Maddie scooted into her apartment and quickly shut the door. She leaned against the door for a moment and took a deep breath. She had had a horrid day and it would have simply been unfair to have to suffer through a conversation with Laura. Maddie