Chosen by Desire Read Online Free PDF

the curtains were open and San Francisco’s lit skyline lay before him in its glory. He barely saw the view. Instead he saw a pair of big brown eyes teasing him with feigned innocence.
    He gripped the windowsill, conscious of the groan of its metal frame. He had to discover what they were up to. There was no doubt in his mind that this was planned. Rhys Llewellyn left nothing to chance. Max knew only too well how far Rhys would plot to get what he wanted. In this case, it stood to figure Rhys wanted to finish the job he’d started: to steal Max’s scroll.
    Max rubbed his palm over the burn scar at his neck. The cut he’d given Rhys still marked him, too, almost as indelibly as the broadsword-shaped birthmark that identified them as Guardians. Rhys as the Guardian of the Book of Fire, and him for the Book of Metal.
    Fire controlled metal, melding it, destroying it.
    Did Rhys plan to destroy him?
    Like hell he would.
    Max had to modify his original plan. Destiny had given him the perfect opportunity to pay Rhys back for his duplicity seven years ago. Max would use the blonde to bring him down, just like Rhys had used Amanda.
    He pulled the dossier he’d had compiled on the woman—Carrie Woods. His second time flipping through, an idea struck. He extracted his cell phone from his coat pocket and called his assistant.
    Francesca answered before the second ring ended. “Sir?” she asked, sounding alert despite the fact that she’d probably started working at dawn and it had to be well after ten now.
    But that was why he employed her—she worked tirelessly and efficiently. That and the fact that since her mother was his parents’ housekeeper, Francesca had grown up in his household, alongside him. She already knew his habits and preferences—she was the logical choice for the job. He could trust her to keep his affairs in order, as she had during his years at the monastery. And trust wasn’t something that came easily to him.
    “I’d like you to fly to San Francisco,” he said now. “I have business I’d like you to attend to here.”
    “I’ll be on the first flight in the morning,” she said without hesitation.
    “I’d also like you to open the Santa Monica house.”
    There was a surprised pause before she said, “When should I expect you to arrive, and how long will you be in residence?”
    “I’ll leave in three days for an indefinite amount of time.” As long as it took to retrieve the scroll and the journal and to defeat Rhys.
    Again that startled pause. “Shall I have one of the cars prepared for you, as well?”
    “Yes, the Maserati.” He paused. “And prepare one of the guest suites.”
    “A guest suite?” She didn’t manage to keep the shock out of her voice this time.
    “I’ll provide details when you arrive. And Francesca?”
    “Yes?”
    “The rental car had a mishap, so the company will need to be reimbursed for the damages. Thank you.” He ended the call before she could ask anything more.
    His idea was brilliant—he’d hire the woman to work for him, right under his roof. Yes, he’d still recover the stolen documents, but he’d also figure out why and how Rhys was involved. Payback factored in there, too.
    He fingered Carrie Woods’s file, his mouth set in a firm line. He wouldn’t imagine what it’d be like to live with her, to have her at his beck and call.
    He didn’t have to imagine. He pictured her big eyes and lush mouth and knew what it’d be like. Pure hell.

Chapter Five

    C arrie stared at Leonora’s door. Ever since her advisor had called that morning and asked her to come by for a meeting, the pit of Carrie’s stomach had been gnawed by nerves.
    She bit her lip as she shifted her bag higher onto her shoulder. She couldn’t think why Leonora would want to see her again, except to tell her that researching Wei Lin and the Scrolls of Destiny wouldn’t fly. That the board wasn’t interested in hiring her.
    Or that they’d hired Trevor instead.
    Okay, better