King Read Online Free PDF Page A

trying to get his number, which irked me
slightly and I needed to get out of there. The evening had only served as a
stark reminder of his professional brilliance. It wasn’t as if I’d ever doubted
his ability, but he was infinitely better than even I had realised. I would
praise him on the wonderful speech and leave. He was smiling broadly at
Tristan, who rose to shake his hand as he approached the table and the two
conversed like old friends. I couldn’t hear the detail over the loud hum of
chatter in the room, but picked up enough to realise what was at the heart of
it, and my stomach sank.
      Eventually, after soaking in the adulation, he
returned to his seat, leaning across to kiss my cheek softly in a strangely
affectionate gesture I was neither expecting nor prepared for, and my breath
hitched. “You supported him through the King Foundation when he was starting
out didn’t you?” The slight curve of his lip betrayed his answer before he spoke.
I was already dead in the water on this account and the smug smile on his face
was the final straw. “Great speech King” I hissed unable to stifle my growing
irritation, grabbing my bag and bidding my farewells to the rest of the table,
before marching into the foyer. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of another
glance, retrieving my wrap from the cloakroom and all but collapsing with a
huge sigh against the wall outside, gazing at the floor. He was just too damned
good at this.
    I
didn’t look up as I heard the footsteps striding quickly across the concrete,
stopping abruptly in front of me, as he grabbed my chin, pulling my face up
roughly to meet his gaze, eyes dark endless pools, and burning into my own.
“Don’t say it” I sighed quietly, unable to disguise my jaded mood, as his mouth
crashed into mine with a kiss so passionate and powerful that for a moment it
buckled my knees. My body was revelling in the intense heat radiating from his
hard body and the way those beautiful soft lips caressed me, tongue expertly
exploring my mouth, as my heart pounded out of my chest. It was a few moments
before I came to my senses and pulled away, slapping his face, hard. I turned
to hail a taxi as he stood staring open mouthed at me, a strange frown
flickering across his brow. What the hell did he think he was doing?

 
    Chapter
3
    The
next morning, I was a still a confused, irritated and frustrated mess, avoiding
everyone including Katie, unable to reveal my humiliation at what had happened
last night. I had been so excited about this account but from the relationship
King already had with the designer, the pitch would probably be an exercise in
futility, just as the Castle vodka one had been. A part of me had loved that
kiss, revelling in the intensity of it, and I couldn’t deny that my body had
responded with a ferocity that was frighteningly unfamiliar. Unfortunately, a
bigger part of me just hated him, the man who was scuppering my professional
efforts on almost a daily basis, and to such an extent I had begun to wonder if
it was his personal mission to destroy my reputation.
      It was gone three o’ clock when I returned to
my desk to find the large box dominating the space. I assumed it was something
to do with a current campaign but when I saw what was inside, my heart stopped.
It was the ‘Michaela’ dress from Tristan’s collection. I opened the envelope
which accompanied it, nestling in the soft pale tissue, pulling out the cream
card embossed with two simple words.
    Sorry. King.
    My stomach
was churning, the humiliation of last night and the reality of my dream account
slipping through my fingers overwhelming me, and there was no way I could push
the bubbling anger back. I put the lid back on the box, punching the button for
the elevator, marching straight out of the lobby and right into the gleaming
reception of King Marketing next door. “I’m here to see Mr King” I announced,
trying hard to keep my cool. It was hardly the receptionists fault.