Laid and Leveraged Read Online Free PDF Page B

and scrambled around the desk to catch up with him.
    “ Is that it? ” she demanded to k now, gripping him by the arm. He lifted an eyebrow at her.
    “ What else would you like? ” he asked.
    “ W-well, ” she stammered, flustered. Could she very well say 'you'?
    When she didn't reply right away, Roger shrugged her off and headed for the door.
    “ But, ” she protested. “ What about us, Roger? ”
    He hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. Something told her that he didn't trust her anymore.
    “ I've done everything you asked for, ” Michelle felt herself grow desperate. “ I even apologized. And you were right. About everything. I should have swallowed my pride and let you take lead. Roger don't go. I-I... ” Should she tell him she had feelings for him?
    Roger turned to face her. That damnable mask covered his face again, making it unreadable. At last, he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to her.
    “ Meet me after work tomorrow, ” he told her before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him. Michelle looked down at her palm. In it lay a key.
    A hotel key.

Chapter 7.
    Hotel Granduca was grand indeed. Michelle felt a little out of place in the elegant lobby even though she'd stopped by the mall and bought herself a sexy new red dress that was so low cut she feared her breasts would fall out at any minute. The other clientèle were obviously wealthy and Michelle avoided contact with them as she headed for the elevators.
    “ What floor, ma'am. ” Yes, it was the kind of place that had elevator operators and bellboys in red uniforms and gold buttons.
    “ Fifty, ” Michelle said, looking down at her key.
    The operator raised a skeptical eyebrow at her, no doubt wondering why someone who was so obviously out of her league would be staying in the penthouse suite. He glanced at the number on the key, eyes widening. He nodded apologetically. In the next minute, the mirrored car shot up the building taking Michelle closer to Roger.
    Outside the door, Michelle hesitated. Would Roger be in there waiting for her? And if so, what kind of mood would he be in? Fingers trembling, she inserted the key into the lock.
    A soft light bathed the luxurious suit and Michelle could hear the gravely voice of Billy Holiday singing over the radio. Two overstuffed sofas and arm chair dominated the main room. The furniture was arranged in a U shape facing an ornate fireplace that crackled with a freshly built fire. Across the room Michelle could see a view of the whole city through the big windows leading to a private balcony. She thought she could fit at least three of her apartments in just the living area. A pair of double doors led to what she imagined would be an equally opulent bedroom and bath.
    She set her purse down on a nearby table. Although someone had obviously been there to make the fire and put the music on, Roger was nowhere to be seen. In the middle of the room, on a high round table, Michelle spotted a dozen long-stemmed red roses resting in a crystal vase. When she approached, the fragrance of the sweet blossoms nearly overwhelmed her senses, sending her into a spiral of luscious daydreams. Michelle fingered a note attached to the flowers. Sliding her finger under the flap of the envelope, she withdrew the card.
    Are you truly capable of following orders?
    Michelle couldn't refrain from feeling disappointed. It was not the love note she had hoped for. It wasn't even signed! She turned the card over just to make sure. Disgusted, she dropped it on the table. She'd done everything he wanted! What more could he ask for? Sighing, she wondered where he could be.
    “ Roger? ” she called out, but no one answered. She headed to the bedroom and threw open the door. An enormous four poster bed stood in the center of the room. On it lay a small box, about a foot in diameter, wrapped in a red satin bow. Looking around, she didn't see Roger anywhere. Finally, her curiosity getting the best of her, Michelle