A Perfect Chance Read Online Free PDF Page A

offer.
    I swallowed, a new, real smile forming. I sat up fully and turned towards him after unclipping my seat belt, ignoring my shaky hands. "I've got this," I repeated. We had made the journey together to Mace's office fourteen times before. Eight times I'd actually got out of the car and walked to the front door; only twice had I gripped Diesel, leaving my fingernail imprints behind. It was finally time to enter my new place of work. I knew Mace and Janie were inside. I also had seen photographs and video footage of each room in the building. That was all Janie's idea, to help me familiarise myself with the layout and the look.
    We'd been doing this exercise over the last three weeks. During that time, I'd met with Janie, who was quickly becoming a good friend and someone I could rely on, and I'd also met with Mace and a couple of the guys he contracted in for security work regularly. Each meeting with Mace left me breathless but surprisingly at ease. For all his gruffness, he was a calm soul. I'd said as much to Diesel, who'd laughed his arse off and said he'd let Mace know. I threatened him with an array of colourful threats if he made good on that.
    Mace had talked me through his job, my role, the office layout, and a whole heap of details. I'd hung on every word, sort of. Admittedly, I found it far too easy to concentrate on his lips as he spoke, only occasionally getting distracted by thoughts of their softness. Each time, he'd clear his throat, no doubt seeing my zoned-out expression.
    He'd also started to touch me. I'd noticed it immediately. Hell, how could I not? The first time his hand had connected with my forearm, I'd jumped, but not for the reason he'd thought. I'd seen his pained look before he'd schooled his features, but the jump was a reaction to the zap of electricity that had buzzed through me at our connection. His palm had left heat in its wake and stirred to life a hive of activity in my belly, one that made me catch my breath and pray that he'd touch me again. He didn't that day. But with every meeting, he'd touch me more regularly. I'd begun to anticipate it in nervous excitement, trying carefully to control my reaction in fear that Mace would misread my reaction and avoid the contact.
    While nobody had discussed every step of my transition into Mace's world, like his physical contact, I was savvy enough to know every word and touch were controlled. Mace filled that role easily. Apart from my brother, I'd never met another man who was as self-controlled as he, and that said a hell of a lot, considering my Deadwood family. He was the master of restraint. There hadn't been even a handful of times in the many years I'd known him where he'd dropped his guard. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever get to meet the real Mace.
    Placing my hand on the door handle, I turned away from Diesel to see Mace striding towards the vehicle. My heart picked up speed, my eyes widening when I saw the determination in his. The door opened before I had the chance to do it myself and his hand appeared in the open doorway. I expected to hesitate, but before I realised what I'd actually done, I was staring at my palm sitting securely in his. Rightness settled through me, calming me. I stepped out of the car as his hand tightened around my own. My eyes reconnected with his and I smiled. He offered a rare grin back, momentarily taking my breath away. His usually stoic face brightened and his cheeks dimpled just a fraction.
    Damn, I was in serious trouble. With a smile like that, I had no idea how I'd keep my vajayjay in my panties. I shook the thoughts from my head, becoming aware that I was standing still, hand in his and staring at him. The last thing I needed, or my brother needed, was for me to get involved with someone as complicated as Mace. I knew some of Mace's story, his history, and it was heartbreaking. He was everything that I wasn't looking for.
    Admittedly, he was a fine specimen of man, so perhaps