Downtown Girl (Lipstick Red #1) Read Free Page B

bobbing her head and clacking away on her keyboard at the same time, pausing for only a second to jab the intercom and call David’s office.  Her multi-tasking skills were incredible.  If she could get Annabel to be so efficient, Taylor would finish her work far more quickly than she did at Willgox.
    David Burton’s male personal assistant escorted her from reception to his personal suite of offices on the top floor.  The building was a warren of identical corridors, each one indistinguishable from the last, if it wasn’t for the artwork adorning the walls.
    ‘Who’s that?’ she’d asked as they passed a large photograph dominating a wall.  It was an abstract portrait of a bleeding man, downtrodden and despondent.
    ‘Who knows?’ The PA shrugged his shoulders, not caring who or what adorned the wall, before turning a sharp right and opening a plain door to an outer office with no sign.
    She heard muted angry voices coming from one of the rooms inside.  One voice was becoming increasingly heated.  Her hands began to shake as she imagined his tattoo and shorn hair instilling terror into everyone who crossed his path. 
    'You can go in now,' his PA said, once David Burton's visitor walked out with a thunderous expression, ignoring her existence as his expensive aftershave with a strong patchouli scent left a trail behind him.
    Nervously picking up her briefcase and question sheet, she stepped towards his room, knocking before entering.  'Come in,' he called.  His voice was familiar, but she couldn't place it.
    Standing in front of an enormous floor to roof window, she first caught sight of his swollen lip, as her heart once again began to thud.  How could he possibly be the reformed thug she was here to interview?  His molten hot eyes bored into her skull as her face flushed again.  His eyebrows rose as she recognized his acknowledgment of her attraction to him.
    He crossed the room in a few short steps, his hand outstretched to take hers.  'David Burton.  Officially.'
    'Taylor Griffiths for Kevin Johnson,’ she replied, lowering her lashes in a bid to avoid direct eye contact.  She must be professional.  His hand took hers gently, surprising her in its warmth, which made her knees wobble. 
    'How shall we do this?' he asked, his fingers running through his hair.  I wonder how that feels, running my hand through his hair.  She was briefly distracted by his graceful movements.  Blinking rapidly, she pulled out her notebook, clicked her pen and shuffled her list of questions. 
    'Coffee?' he asked, almost grinning.  He was enjoying this.  She shook her head, while he retrieved two small bottles of mineral water with iced glasses and placed them onto a low table at the back of his office.  He motioned towards one of the chairs with an outstretched hand. 
    'Sit down, please.’ His eyes settled on the pen she was clicking constantly.  She instantly stopped, appalled at her immature behavior.
    He sat gracefully, with his knees apart, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the leg muscles showing through his suit trousers.  She licked her lips as their eyes met.  Blast, she was getting this so wrong.  She saw the raw emotion in his eyes, and knew he felt the charge in the air too.
    'I'll ask questions and record the answers if that's ok with you?’ she uttered, her voice dry and raspy.  She lifted her glass to sip some water, grateful for his hosting skills. 
    'By all means, Taylor.  I'm in your capable hands!'  He spread his palms upwards, apparently giving her full control.  She knew she'd only have as much control as he allowed her to have.
    Flicking on the recorder, she watched as he ran a finger across his swollen lip.  For a second it threw her off guard, as she imagined kissing that rosy lip better.
    'How old are you Mr Burton?'
    'Surely you know that already Taylor.' He looked surprised and she was crushed.  The stupid question showed her up for the unprepared and inexperienced