One Week (HaleStorm) Read Online Free PDF Page A

studly go-go dancer, he’ll be getting home around the same time I do, and probably not alone. I guarantee you, I won’t get any rest anyway.”
    “Hmm.” Michael pressed his lips together.  “What did you plan to do about a change of clothes if you stayed?”
    “I have an overnight bag in my car,” she said absently as she reopened her laptop.
    He put his hand on hers and closed the damned machine again. “Can you hang the hell on for a second?”
    “Do you act this way with all your employees?” She stared hard. “Why do you care where I sleep?”
    “I don’t act this way with my employees because they know to listen the first time. Maybe it’s a contractor thing. I certainly recall you being a much better listener when you were an intern.”
    She swiveled her chair to face him fully. A challenge burned in her gray eyes. “Yeah, well. A lot has changed.”
    Perhaps exhaustion had removed his professional mask. Although ill-advised, Michael allowed himself to do a full visual sweep. All that twisting in her chair to pop her back had worked loose the top button on her blouse, serving up an enticing hint of cleavage. Those long, toned, stocking-free legs of hers showed a teasing hint of a morning glory vine on the back of one calf. “Yes,” he said. “I can see how much is different.”
    Elise rolled her eyes. “Michael. Don’t.”
    He leaned so close he could make out the tiny bursts of blue and green interlaced with the gray in her eyes. “I get the impression you think I’m being too familiar, yet you insist on calling me by my first name.”
    The caught look was gone as soon as it crossed her face. “Habit. Michael was what I called you back then and that’s how I’ve thought of you all this time.”
    “I’ve wondered what you’ve thought of me.”
    She stood with a glare, gathering her laptop bag and her purse. “Let’s stay focused on your project, Mr. Hale.”
    Well, he’d gotten her to quit for the night, anyway. “All right.” He pushed away from the table. “I apologize. Let’s keep this professional.”
    She laughed low and husky, under her breath. “That’s an excellent idea. Think it’s something you can manage?”
    With her? He’d done a shit job of it five years ago. And in the past year or so since he’d split from Becca, he couldn’t remember anyone else who had put him so at ease.
    “Of course.” But he would keep it professional. He had to.
    “Great.” She hiked the laptop case on her shoulder. “You’re right. I actually am exhausted. I’ll see you in the morning, Mr. Hale.” She took a deep breath and the angry mask slipped from her face. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry about your father.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Goodnight.” She nodded and turned to go.
    “Wait. What about your roommate?”
    She shrugged. “In case of emergency, I have ear plugs.”
    Michael shook his head. “I hate for you to drive back to DC. The company maintains a couple of furnished apartments across the street for visiting clients and execs. I’m staying in one myself right now, but there’s another standing empty. You’re welcome to use the space while you work this week to avoid so much back and forth. You’d get at least an extra hour of sleep.”
    Her brows drew together. “You’re staying in a furnished apartment across the street?”
    “Becca got the house. We separated over a year ago.”
    “Oh that’s.... I’m sorry.”
    “Sometimes these things are for the best.” And it really had been. He handed Elise her teetering stack of documentation and then taped a note to the door indicating the conference room was occupied. “I’ve had my office manager block the conference room calendar for you all week, but some people don’t bother to check first.”
    She nodded. “Thank you.”
    He pulled out his key ring then detached one, holding his hand out. “So. The apartment?”
    Her head dropped back to her shoulders as she sucked in a harsh breath. “You