Rush Read Online Free PDF Page B

close and personal,
     she sensed an immense power that radiated from him.
    It had intimidated her and made her think twice about whether she’d ever be able to
     handle a man like him.
    Mia had applied minimal makeup; not that she didn’t wear it, but somehow overdoing
     herself for this mysterious meeting with Gabe seemed…desperate. Like waving a neon
     sign stating her infatuation and intentions. What if this meeting was something completely
     mundane? Wouldn’t she feel like a huge moron going in dressed for seduction only to
     discover he wanted just to see how she was doing? Who the hell ever knew what he was
     thinking anyway? Gabe wasn’t someone who broadcast his thoughts or feelings to the
     world.
    At exactly one minute to ten, she escaped the elevator andhurried into the reception sitting area of HCM. Eleanor, the receptionist, smiled
     and greeted Mia as she approached. Mia didn’t have time to ponder whether she was
     crazy for agreeing to this meeting or even to collect and calm herself before diving
     into the fire. She had one minute to get into Gabe’s office.
    “I’m supposed to see Gabe at ten,” Mia said breathlessly.
    “I’ll let him know you’re here,” Eleanor said as she picked up the phone.
    Mia turned away, unsure of whether he would come get her or if she would go back.
     Whenever she came to see Jace, she always just walked in. There was no waiting as
     if she had an appointment.
    “You can go back,” Eleanor called.
    Mia quickly turned and then nodded, taking a deep breath and heading down the hallway,
     past Jace’s office to the end where Gabe’s spacious corner office was situated. She
     paused at the doorway and stared down at her polished toes that peeked from the sexy
     heels Caroline had suggested she wear.
    She suddenly felt like the world’s biggest idiot. Whatever had come over Gabe at last
     night’s party was probably hugely misinterpreted by her. And she’d come dressed to
     kill.
    She was just about to turn around and go back to the elevator as fast as those heels
     would take her when the door swung open and Gabe Hamilton stood there staring intently
     at her.
    “I was wondering if you changed your mind,” he said.
    She flushed guiltily, hoping like hell he couldn’t read her thoughts. Her guilt was
     probably plain to read on her face.
    “I’m here,” she said bravely, notching up her chin to stare back at him.
    He took a step back and swept his arm past him. “Come in.”
    She sucked in her breath and entered the lion’s den.
    She’d seen Gabe’s office once before, years ago when Jace had taken her on a tour
     of the floor HCM occupied, but she’d beenexcited and it had all been a blur. Now she studied the interior of Gabe’s office
     with keen interest.
    It screamed classy and expensive. Rich mahogany wood, polished marble floor that was
     partially covered with an elegant oriental rug. The furniture was dark leather with
     an antique, old-world look. Paintings adorned three walls while the last wall was
     all built-in bookcases filled with an eclectic mixture of works.
    Gabe loved to read. Jace and Ash teased Gabe about being a bookworm, but it was a
     passion that Mia shared with Gabe. While Gabe had given her the necklace and earrings
     she’d worn to the party the night before, that same Christmas, she’d given him a signed
     first edition of a Cormac McCarthy novel.
    “You look nervous,” Gabe said, breaking into her thoughts. “I won’t bite, Mia. Not
     yet anyway.”
    Her eyebrows lifted and he motioned for her to have a seat in front of his desk. He
     pulled the chair out and put his hand to her back as he guided her into place. She
     shivered at the heat of his touch, and he let his hand linger a moment even after
     she’d taken her seat.
    He let his fingers slide up her shoulder before he finally walked back around his
     desk to take his seat across from her. For a long moment he stared at her until heat
     crawled up her neck and