Ringing in Love Read Free

I’m happy you’re settling in so well.” He motioned to the chair next to her desk, which she took to be asking if he could sit.
    “Please. Sit. I’m being rude.” She returned to her desk chair. “It’s been a pretty smooth transition. It’s a great building. The location is perfect and the layout very creative. Did you have a hand in designing it?”
    “Can’t take credit for it, but it is what attracted me to the space. The original developer had gone bankrupt, and it was being sold at a good price when I was looking for new offices. My staff was working in such close quarters, I was beginning to think I’d have to insist they marry each other.”
    “We were almost there, too, although on a much smaller scale.”
    “You’ve come a long way in a short time, haven’t you? I’ve admired your work and how fast you’ve become such an influence in the business.” His killer smile was back, which almost distracted her enough that she missed the compliment he’d paid her.
    “It feels like a long time and a short way, but thanks. I’m flattered.”
    “Not flattery. Just the truth.” He rose from the chair and extended his hand. “I won’t keep you any longer. I only wanted to make sure everything was as promised. I know you’ve met the building manager—if you have any problems at all, let him know.”
    When she took his hand, a pulse of electricity went up her arm, startling her enough she had to swallow a gasp. It warmed her all the way to the base of her neck and down her chest. He clasped her hand with both of his, his eyes holding hers in a look so warm she wanted to turn up the air conditioning. She also wanted to keep the conversation going so she didn’t lose the connection with him.
    “Uh … yes … the building manager.” She swallowed hard. “He’s been great. About getting movers in and out, I mean, stuff like that.”
Stuff like that?
Where was her skill with words when she really needed it?
    Dominic didn’t say anything right away, seeming to be as reluctant as she was to break the contact between them. Finally he released her hand. “I’m glad he was helpful.” He moved toward the door. “But let me know if you have a problem he can’t solve. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around the building.” And he was gone.
    Catherine sank back into her chair feeling like all the life had left the room, along with most of the air in her lungs.

Chapter 2
    Catherine certainly did see Dominic around the building, almost every day. If he wasn’t at the coffee stand where she went first thing for her caffeine fix, he was strolling in the front door as she waited for the elevator. They rode together to their respective floors most mornings. She’d get off at the tenth floor with the faint smell of his body wash or aftershave or cologne or whatever it was in her nose. It was an extremely pleasant if sometimes distracting way to start the morning.
    He always seemed happy to see her, chatting, making her laugh with some gossip from the building or their industry. Over the weeks, they exchanged bits of personal information. They had a mutual passion for the Sixers, a mistrust of the new coach of the Eagles, and an interest in art. She talked about her son. He passed on stories about local politicians, many of whom he’d done election campaign work for. It was amazing what one could learn in the time it took to walk across the lobby of a building, wait for an elevator, and travel ten floors. For all his reputation as a high-profile player, he never came on too strong, never pushed to make their conversation anything other than casual. Although he made a couple joking references to having lunch someday, he wasn’t serious, she was sure.
    She started to think of their morning chats as the beginning of a lobby-and-elevator relationship. She’d never had anything like it before. It was fun, but more importantly, it seemed simple and safe.
    And if there was anything Catherine Alessandro Bennett