Beale Street Blues

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Book: Beale Street Blues Read Online Free PDF
Author: Angela Kay Austin
her body's reaction to him felt like a battle she would continue to lose.
    As his eyes locked on her and his mouth opened, Barbara floated through the door with an obvious purpose wearing a shirt cut too low and a skirt whose length was too short for work. "Hi, Mr. Slater."
    But for once, Darling actually welcomed Barbara's presence. Otherwise, she would be forced to sit in a small closed room with the only man she'd been intimate with since moving to Memphis. A man whose freaking memory excited her body and made her crave his touch. She took a deep breath, inhaling that scent. His scent. It called to her and if Barbara weren't in the room, she couldn't be sure she wouldn't have responded just as she had before.
    Jaxon rose from where he sat at a conference table to greet them. "Welcome, Darling, Barbara."
    As they took their seats at the table, Darling was careful to take the seat farthest away without looking ridiculous.
    "Rodney briefed me on where things stand for the remaining tradeshows this year." He turned toward Barbara. "Maybe we should begin with you, Barbara. Your team has done a great job organizing and managing our programs."
    "Thank you." Barbara smiled. "My team can handle any increase in national meetings you think we should make."
    "Thanks for being a team player. Rodney and I will definitely want to speak with you more about the calendar Darling developed and how we'll manage it moving forward."
    "Mr. Slater—" Darling began. What was he about to do?
    "Jaxon…please." His words were kind, but his eyes were serious.
    "Barbara and I have been working together on national meetings and conferences since I came to work here. There's been such a crossover with some of the events that I identified as being strong opportunities to reach our customer—"
    "Yes, sir," Barbara interrupted. "Events we identified as key to the company. We thought the two departments fit well together."
    "Rodney and I agree with you." He moved some papers around, then handed them both an identical document. "Which is why I wanted to meet with you both here, to make you aware that there will be some changes."
    A flash of heat washed over Darling and her palms began to sweat. The pen she held pressed deeper into the center of her hand as her grip tightened.
    "Darling." His gaze was intense. "We've decided to combine your two workgroups." He turned his attention to the other woman. "Barbara, that means you'll report up to Darling."
    "What?" Barbara asked, jumping up from her seat, shoving back the chair. "I'm reporting to Darling? She's only been here for a few months. I've been here for years. What the hell is this? Where is Rodney—" Barbara stared at the door as if willing Rodney to appear, but he didn't.
    Darling sat speechless, anger boiling inside of her. No one had told her the purpose of the reports she'd put together or of the meeting. A part of her thought he would even fire her because she'd walked away that night. He had the power to do it. Instead, he'd decided to obligate her to him and possibly humiliate her in the process.
    "Rodney and I understand why this might be confusing for you." His voice was even, soothing. "This will not mean a change in your role or responsibilities."
    "Then why this damn change?" Barbara asked, bitterly. The anger inside of her showed in the stiffness of her body. The woman who sashayed her way into the office had left, replaced with an angrier aggressive version.
    He leaned in and locked his gaze onto Barbara's. "Rodney reports to me. In my opinion, with Darling's experience and knowledge, she will better manage the overall budget and strategy for identifying the best opportunities, which will take the company in the right direction." His voice didn't change, but there was no question who controlled the room.
    Barbara folded her arms across her chest. "So, I have no option, but to accept this?"
    "No." He touched another folder that rested on his desk. "You could take the option in this
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