Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance Read Free Page A

Something suspiciously like attraction tugged at his senses. “Just get it started: I’ll do the rest. I do most of my writing at night, and I don’t like interruptions.”
    Aubrey nodded. “My father was the same way. He said he could think better during those hours. Of course, it wasn’t so great for the rest of us. He tended to forget everyone else in the house was trying to sleep. My bedroom was over his office so I was his usual victim.”
    An odd look passed over Corbin’s handsome features. “I hate to tell you this, but you’re in the same predicament here.”
    “Really? Well, I doubt you’re as noisy as my father.”
    “You’ll have to find that out for yourself. If all else fails, we can move you to another room.”
    “I don’t want to do that. I love this room.”
    Corbin shrugged. “I left the décor up to Paul; it appears he surpassed your expectations. Frankly, it reminds me of a little girl’s room.”
    “Then it’s fortunate that you won’t be spending a lot of time in here,” she pointed out.
    His fascinating eyes locked onto her face. “There was never any doubt about that.” He turned to go, not bothering to see whether she followed.
    Aubrey gritted her teeth, tempted to stay where she was and let him figure out where everything was himself. It would serve him right. A few seconds consideration told her that he was unlikely to have any success which meant he’d be back. With an impatient gesture, she stuffed her feet into a pair of fluffy slippers and hurried after him.
    The dimness of the stairway was her downfall – literally. She didn’t realize Corbin had stopped at the bottom of the stairs until she ran into him. It was similar to hitting a brick wall except more embarrassing.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
    Something close to a smile crossed his lips. “I should be asking that.”
    Her smile was rueful. “You’re right. I think I broke my shoulder.”
    He motioned her to go in front of him. “After you.”
    They made it to his office without further mishap. She started the printer and checked the first few pages.
    “I can handle it from here. Thanks, Aubrey.”
    “Are you sure?” she asked. At his nod, she headed to the door. “Okay, then, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    As he watched her walk away, he felt again the irritation of having his hand forced. How had he let Phoebe talk him into what must rank as the most ill-advised hire of his career? Then he remembered why Aubrey had needed to get away. With a mixture of guilt and vexation, he assembled the papers into a neat pile and went to sit at his desk.
* * * *
    For reasons of his own, Corbin left Aubrey alone to see how she would manage. Though slower than her predecessor, he could find no fault with her work. She didn’t nag him with endless questions, nor did she seek his company. In fact, she showed as little interest in him as he felt in her. He should have been satisfied; things could have been much worse. The only real problem was Corbin himself: every time he saw Aubrey, he remembered how lovely she looked standing in her bedroom.
    The following afternoon Phoebe called him. Her timing couldn’t have been better. He’d just sent Aubrey to deliver a proposal. This was the perfect opportunity to get a little payback. With a faint smile, he leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on the desk.
    “You’re fortunate to be separated from me by several states,” he offered in his usual quiet tone.
    “Give Aubrey time; she’ll grow on you.”
    “She probably won’t be here long enough to have any effect on me at all.”
    “Have you told her that?” Phoebe asked.
    Corbin laughed shortly. “I don’t have to; I think this is a classic case of mutual dislike.”
    “That surprises me. You have enough charm to make any female like you.”
    “I must not want Aubrey to like me.”
    Phoebe sighed loudly. “You’re impossible, you know that? Are you trying to make her leave?”
    “Not