Devotion - Billionaire Contemporary Romance Novel Read Online Free PDF

whispered. 
    It was a simple statement of appreciation, a subtle acknowledgement of the unity between them—a professional bond of loyalty and trust that had developed over the course of the past five years she had worked for him.  She did not refuse him because she felt eternally indebted to him.  He had been the one to hire her as his office copy clerk almost five years ago when she was only an inexperienced college dropout, pregnant and recently abandoned by Aidan’s father.  Without her job at Spears & Associates, Isabel shuddered to think how much different— harder —her life would be now, especially as a single working mother.
    “Well, I suppose I should get back to my desk,” Isabel said, rising from her seat.  “You’ve just sold a second property to Zale.  We’re going to need to get working on that as soon as possible.”
    “Zale said he’ll send over the letter of intent.  You can forward it on to Gary.”
    “I’ll talk to him about preparing all the due diligence documents for The Peoria, and then I’ll have Giselle make copies so we can circulate them.”
    “Giselle?” Phillip suddenly questioned her.
    “Yes, the new intern.”
    He scoffed. “Is that her name?  You mean like the ballet?”
    “No, probably more like the supermodel.”
    “Well, she is a bit of a tart, isn’t she?”
    “Phillip…” Isabel paused before pushing back on him. “Try to be a bit easier on her.  She’s only a college student.”
    “No, she’s a Spears employee.”
    “You shouldn’t comment on her posture.”
    “Did she complain?”
    “I wouldn’t call it complaining.”
    “Well, she was slouching.”
    “She’s terrified of you, you know.”
    Phillip snorted like he was truly amused.
    “Just like I was,” Isabel added. “When I first started working here.”
    Phillip gazed at her with interest. “Terrified, were you?  Of what?  Of me?”
    “Of everyone.  And yes, of you.”
    Phillip held her gaze longer than necessary.  “Well, you certainly grew out of that, didn’t you? And now I can barely get you to bring me my afternoon cup of tea.”
    Isabel opened his office door. “Phillip, you are more than capable of getting your own tea.”
    “ Touché .  It’s true.  I am.”  He eyed her in the doorway. “Terrified, really?” he repeated with a mischievous glint in his eye.  Then, he suddenly laughed.  It was only the second time all morning that he allowed himself the luxury of an unguarded burst of emotion.
    “Well, you needn’t have been, Isabel.  You were exceedingly bright and quick-witted, despite your age and your situation.”
    “You mean despite being unmarried and pregnant,” she clarified.
    “Despite not being enrolled in college, unlike our newest supermodel, Miss Giselle, who only seems to know how to walk in stilettos.” 
    “ Shhhhh ,” Isabel hushed him, partly closing his office door.  “Please, Phillip.  I’m simply asking that you go a bit easier on her.”
    Phillip sat down at his desk, crossed his hands, and swiveled in his chair.  His handsome face indulged in a playful smirk of sincerity. “For you, Isabel—I will do anything.”
    His valiant gaze seized upon her, conveying what was often left unspoken between them—he appreciated her more than she knew, and certainly more than his own sense of business professionalism would ever allow him to openly betray.  But Isabel didn’t need him to express anything more to her.  He was her boss; he paid her a six-figure salary and treated her with respect because she did her job well.  That was enough for her.
    She turned, preparing to leave, but he called after her, as if he wasn’t ready to let her go. “So you will start the ball rolling on The Peoria?”
    “Yes, I’ll start on it right away.”
    “Good.” He nodded with satisfaction. “Oh, one more thing…” His voice dropped just as she was on the brink of abandoning him. “You received roses this morning?”
    Isabel stopped and