Beck And Call Read Online Free PDF Page B

single, deep red rosebud captured their eyes. Serena
    gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.
    “No card?” she glanced at the man.
    “The clerk said you would know who it was from,” he
    said, slightly puzzled.
    Her jaw went slack and realization hit her. The
    dominant. He knew she hadn’t thrown out the book. He
    really had been watching and wasted no time in
    making sure she knew it. She recognized the crystal
    pattern and smiled. Whoever he was, he had high-end
    tastes. Leaning forward, she sniffed at the rose and
    closed her eyes.
    “Now this is beauty,” she sighed.
    “Well?” Mark said impatiently. “Who is it from?”
    “A gentleman,” she murmured, smiling.
    The thought of how that gentleman planned on
    being in her life forced the fiery heat of a blush to cover
    her face.
    “Who is it from?” pressed Mark, stalking toward her
    desk.
    The delivery man backed off.
    “Thank you,” Serena whispered, smiling at him.
    With a nod, he turned and hurried out.
    “Serena, answer me!”
    “I don’t think she is required to tell you anything,”
    Keith came up behind Mark. When the other man
    whirled, Keith gave him a tight smile. “Especially when
    you use that tone of voice. You will treat her with
    respect, understood?”
    “What?” Mark glanced at him. “What’s wrong with
    my tone?”
    “Plenty,” replied the CEO, shrugging. “You have a
    deplorable lack of respect when you address people who
    aren’t at your level in the company. So,” he smiled
    slightly, glancing at Serena. “Should I talk to you the
    way you do to Serena?” Mark’s mouth opened and
    closed. “After all, you’re not at my level.” His gaze went
    to the woman who was trying to appreciate the rose
    while listening to the men. “Someone else miss your
    birthday?”
    She shook her head.
    “No,” she whispered. “No, he didn’t. This is for
    something else.”
    “Only one rose?” Mark sneered. “You either weren’t
    very good last night or he doesn’t have much money.”
    “Mark,” glowered Keith. Shit, the florist had told
    him that one red rose was…
    “Mark, you know little to nothing about crystal,”
    Serena said softly. Her fingers stroked the slender
    column. “And even less about me. This vase is, well, it’s
    absolutely exquisite. And priceless. And for a man to
    send a single red rose to a woman…”
    Claire and Debbie appeared in the doorway and saw
    the rosebud. Both squealed.
    “Oh, my God!” they rushed forward. Their words
    tripped over each other. “It’s gorgeous! My God, will you
    look at the vase! A single red rose! That is so romantic!
    Serena, who gave it to you?”
    “She won’t say,” Mark interjected. “And there is no
    card.”
    “A secret admirer?” Claire gasped. “Oh, my God! I
    love it!”
    “Good thing I didn’t call to set up a blind date for
    you,” Debbie commented. “Nice crystal. Impressive.”
    “A single red rosebud,” Claire sighed. “Oh, that is so
    romantic! Serena, ask him if he has a single brother. Or
    a cousin. I’ll take a cousin.”
    “What about Paul?” Serena smiled, enjoying the
    attention.
    Claire shivered and wrapped her arms around her
    waist.
    “Please, Paul revealed his true colors last night.”
    “Uh-oh,” Serena frowned, glancing at Debbie who’d
    put an arm around her roommate. “Girls’ night with
    deep-dish pizza?”
    “With extra cheese and sausage,” Debbie nodded.
    “We’ll bring the wine and chick flicks.”
    “Right,” Serena nodded, studying Claire’s still
    slightly red and swollen eyes. Beyond the girls, she
    caught Mark’s sneering face while Keith seemed a bit
    unsettled by the personal drama in the office. “I’ll order
    the pizza at six.”
    “Thanks, Rena,” whispered Claire. “But what about
    him?” she nodded at the rose.
    “Well,” Serena murmured. “If he’s made plans, then
    I’ll explain that a friend needs me. Hopefully, he’ll
    understand.”
    “You think he will?” was her doubtful