Brainy and the Beast Read Online Free PDF Page B

smiling at me.
    The kid led me along a wide corridor. The offices and workrooms we passed were visible through thick glass and metal partitions, but every door was closed.
    Sheesh. These guys were serious about nobody hearing was what going on. The exception was a cube farm midway down, where about half a dozen workstations pumped a bit of noise into the area. Two offices from there, the receptionist stopped, knocking on the glass door.
    My stomach was in knots. I’d been practicing what I was going to say when I saw Henry in person again. I was going to be cool. I wasn’t going to trip over my tongue or say anything beyond talking about the fintail. I could do that, right?
    Just then the door was yanked open, and I smiled. Uh, wait. No. That was not Henry Travis.
    The blonde bombshell in the doorway looked a little harried. Still, even I could appreciate her: tall, long hair, pretty face. Oh, and big tits. “Yes? What is it, Brad?”
    Ole Brad smiled, showing shark teeth as he eyeballed the skirt. “Hi, Miranda. How are you?”
    When Miranda rolled her eyes and sighed, she went up a few notches in my estimation. “I’m just swell, Brad. What can I do for you?” She flicked a glance at me as she fiddled with her white lab coat.
    I spoke before Brad could, hoping the kid would take the opportunity to wipe the drool from his lip. “Dude. Show some respect,” I grumbled at the little wannabe stud, then turned back at Miranda. “Hey. I’m dropping off the doc’s car. He’s expecting me.”
    With what looked like a genuine smile, Miranda pulled the office door all the way open. “Oh! Oh, yes. Dr. Travis mentioned you might come by.” She held out a hand. “I’m Miranda Greene.”
    I must have looked a little blank when I gripped her hand. “Nick Shelton.”
    “I’m Dr. Travis’s assistant.” She cocked her head to the side, and the messy golden hair she’d pulled to the back of her head slid along her shoulder.
    “Uh-huh.” The doc worked alongside this all day? Maybe I’d have to rethink my gaydar report. I wasn’t positive the man was gay, after all. Just pretty sure. “Is he here?”
    “No, I’m sorry.” She did sound regretful. “Dr. Manfred called him into a meeting downstairs. He said if you came by that I should accept the keys and the invoice.”
    Well. That was that, apparently. All righty, then. “Sure. Here they are.” I dug them out of my pocket. “Just tell the doc we’ll mail the bill to him. It will have a record of the work we did.”
    My shoulders were a little slumped as I got in the elevator, my escort once again joining me. Damn . I’d really wanted to see Henry again. Maybe the spark I’d felt before had been in my imagination. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I rested my butt against the rail on the back of the elevator wall.
    Now what? The elevator cab was trudging along in the shaft, and I rolled my wrist up to check the time. “Uh-oh.” I needed to be at Grant’s game, and the park was a good fifteen-minute hike from the Renton campus. Not that I didn’t need the exercise, because I did. I hadn’t been down in the man cave working out for a few days.
    Time to forget the doc. He’s obviously not interested . The guard standing next to me had his eye on me, but I ignored him. I stood up straight and yanked the visitor badge off my collar. Get your head in the game, Nicky Boy . I had a nephew who wasn’t exactly my biggest fan. I really couldn’t afford to fuck up by missing his game.
    Resolved to make the best of the afternoon, I strode out of the cab while the doors were still opening—and ran smack into Dr. Love.
    “Ooomph!” The poor guy bounced off me, tottering on his heels for a moment. He was a couple of inches taller than me, but I’d had a head of steam going when I left the elevator.
    Shit . “Doc! Christ, I’m sorry.” I reached out to yank him upright, and the firm muscles in his upper arms caught my attention. Whoa.
    “Mr. Shelton. I do seem to