The Billionaire's Allure Read Free

enormity of joblessness hit me a moment later. I was so screwed.
    “I’m sorry, Kate. I really am. I had to cut all five people on your team. If you ever need a reference, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
    I nodded, afraid to speak. “Thank you,” I said at last.
    Mrs. Smedley tapped the paper on her desk. “This sheet details how to continue your health insurance coverage, as well as how you’ll be paid out for accrued vacation.” She rose and waited for me to pick up the paper before escorting me to her office door. “I won’t subject you to the indignity of having security box up your personal belongings, but your network access has been suspended. Please turn in your badge with security on your way out.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I trudged back to my desk, devastated. In a state of shock, I gathered my few things and loaded them into a box.
    Halfway to the bathroom, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. I rushed in and set the box on the counter and bawled my eyes out. It took ten minutes to get over it and pull myself back together. It took another ten minutes to clean up so I’d look halfway presentable as I walked out of the building, but even then my makeup still had the telltale streaks of crying.
    I didn’t feel like being in the elevator with people. Not on my last day. Not when I was leaving like this. I hefted my box and went to my stairwell. Please don’t let him be in there.
    He wasn’t. I made it all the way to the ground floor, and then I saw him. He stood with three other men, all older than him. I averted my eyes and tried to slip past, but he saw me, anyway.
    “Wait,” he said, to the other men. He marched over and caught up to me. “Hey.”
    Why is it the man of your dreams always has to catch you on the worst day of your life? “Yes?”
    “Where are you going?” he asked, even though anyone could see what was going on.
    “I just got downsized.” I hefted my box. “I guess I won’t see you in the stairwell again.”
    His expression clouded over. “I will make arrangements.”
    He must have seen the confusion on my face. Although his mouth gave no hint of emotion, his sexy eyes smiled back at me with intensity. Who is this guy? Somehow my mouth was able to form the word, “Thanks,” even though I didn’t believe him.
    “Have a safe afternoon.” As quickly as he’d arrived, he was gone, back with the other businessmen.
    “Are you another of the casualties, Ms. Wilson?” Sam asked, as I approached the security desk.
    “Unfortunately.” I passed him my badge.
    “I’m really sorry to hear that, miss. You were always one of my favorites. Not too many pretty girls have a head on their shoulders like you do.”
    “Thanks, Sam. Take care.” What does he know about having a head on my shoulders? I headed out the front doors. My day was suddenly clear, but I had absolutely no idea what to do with it. I marched toward the train, home and a bottle of wine.
    ***
    Steam billowed up where the running water splashed into the tub. It wasn’t the two foot deep, jetted tub-of-amazing that I wished I could have, but hot water and some bubbles were enough to take the edge off the day. The wine didn’t hurt, either. I leaned back and let the heat soak some of the tension from my shoulders. If I slid down far enough, the water came up to my chin and I could blow channels in the bubbles. I sent a stream floating through the steam and giggled.
    I turned off the water with my foot. The only sounds were the soft pop of the bubbles and the gentle piano mixing with Miles’s saxophone. Who needs jobs?
    I did, of course.
    The phone rang in my living room. I rolled my eyes. Whoever it was, they could wait. My ring tone ran its course, but a few seconds later it started up again. “Damn it, I’m trying to relax.” I pushed myself up out of the tub and stomped across my apartment, bubbles trailing behind me.
    I picked up the phone and stared at it, confused. Who would have an unlisted