Conquered: She Who Dares Book Two Read Online Free PDF Page B

exhausting. If this is what love does to you then fuck love. I’m losing sight of rational thought, but then rational thought has never really been a factor when it comes to Theo.
    My sole focus and my salvation now is my work.
    It’s eight thirty in the morning and I’m sat at my desk typing up a contract when Mr Simmons walks in. He never comes down here, let alone this early. If he wants to see someone they go to him.
    “Josh isn’t here yet.” I smile politely.
    “I actually came to see you Miss Parker.” He sits in the chair opposite my small desk.
    “What can I do for you Mr. Simmons?”
    He folds his hands in his lap. “Well, it’s actually what I can do for you.” He flashes me a warm smile. “I’m promoting you Miss Parker.”
    “I…but I’m just an intern.” I stammer.
    “An intern who has impressed me. I’ve had nothing but glowing reports about you from some of our best clients.” He smiles and my stomach bottoms out. Ellis. I don’t want any promotion that he helped me achieve. I want nothing from him. He stands up. “See HR about the position change. You’ll move offices, oh and Miss Parker?” I meet his eyes. “You’ll be meeting with your first client this afternoon. Conference room at two.” Fuck, this afternoon? “I’ll be there to supervise, so don’t panic.” He smiles wryly before leaving the room.
    A promotion. Just like that. Shit, this has got Theo’s name all over it. I’ve been here five months. I’ve only been back a week, and my sudden two weeks leave for a ‘family emergency’, namely my own impending mental breakdown, can’t have gone down too well. I’m hardly promotion material right now, but I know that Simmons will do anything to keep Theo happy. Do I take it? I need to decide soon either way. Am I ready for this? Hell yes I am. Since I’ve been back, I’ve been going balls to the wall. I’ve thrown myself into my work as the perfect distraction to all the shit going on. What with an ex-boyfriend who can’t keep it his pants to save his life, not to mention has creepy stalking tendencies, and a rapist being convicted, I need it. Where my personal life may be suffering, my work life is great. I’ve been on fire this week, spotting loopholes and finding exclusions that Josh hasn’t and helping to solve some of his most difficult cases. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Maybe Josh put me forward for this. I need to talk to him.
    Once I’ve drunk enough coffee to get a drug addict high, I bite the bullet and go down to HR. I figure why look a gift horse in the mouth? Even if this was Theo’s doing, he owes me, and I’m ready for this. He may have got me the promotion, but it will be my own work that ensures I earn it. I sign a new contract…with double pay. I think me and Prada may be spending some more time together.
    I don’t see Josh for the rest of the day. I know he’s in back to back meetings, so really I didn’t expect to see him in here anyway. I shoot George, Molly and Harry texts saying I got a promotion and am no longer an intern. George is the first to text me back: Yeah bitch! My girl is working it. You, me and a big arse bottle of wine are due a celebratory date. Tonight. Wear something sexy for me. Oh, and you’re buying the wine. Ha! Xxx. I smile. Just as I’m about to put my phone in my bag it starts ringing. Theo’s name flashes up on the screen. I check the clock on the wall. Twelve thirty, right on time. He’s been calling me five times a day religiously for the last week, and five times a day I hit reject. He never leaves a message, just calls again a few hours later, like clockwork. For once though I actually have something to say to him.
    I hit the green button and answer it. “Did you have something to do with this?” I snap.
    “Lilly, you answered.” He says.
    “Clearly, now answer my question?”
    “To what are you referring?” He sounds genuinely confused.
    “Have you been speaking to Simmons?” I