The PlayBear Billionaire: A Bear Shifter Romance Read Online Free PDF

out and see if he could channel her frustration to a more productive end.
    “Yes, I’m holding onto my job for now,” Daphne said, speaking slowly and deliberately, barely holding onto her composure. “But Amelia is really putting pressure on me to get you to commit to more, and you disappearing off the face of the planet isn’t doing my career any favors.”
    “I wasn’t gone from the face of the planet,” Alexander said, keeping his voice light. “I was on a retreat. You can recognize that my job is very stressful, can’t you, Daphne? At least as stressful as yours.” Daphne blushed again—this time in embarrassment rather than frustration—and Alexander had to stifle the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. “If it will make your life easier,” he said, letting warmth creep into his voice gradually, “I will make myself more available to you.”
    “It would be a relief if I could depend on you to reliably show up to events,” Daphne said, licking her lips unconsciously. Alexander thought that if she knew just what effect that little movement of her tongue had on him, she would work hard to suppress the impulse. “And if I could get you to be a more obvious spokesperson for ARC.”
    “You have my word,” Alex said, smiling slowly. “I will be every bit as available for your organization’s needs as you require.” Again, Daphne licked her lips and Alexander saw her eyes flicker with a burst of ambition. “I really hope you’re not going to try and put one over on me, Daphne.” She shook her head quickly.
    “No. I understand that you’re a busy man, Mr. Oberon. I just… I’m in a difficult position and your help could make it possible for me to keep a job that I really love.” Alex nodded, trying not to stare too directly or obviously at her.
    “First of all,” Alexander said, sitting back slightly in his chair and relaxing. “I think at this point you can settle on calling me Alex.” Daphne’s cheeks flamed again with a blush and Alex smiled more broadly, enjoying her slight—but clear—discomfort. “I mean, I just told you that you annoy the hell out of me.
    I believe at this point we should both me on a first-name basis, don’t you Daphne?” She glanced down at her hands and Alexander followed her gaze; the woman’s hands were shaking ever so slightly—though whether with the remains of adrenaline-laced fear and frustration or her own embarrassment was impossible to immediately determine.
    “Second of all: don’t you find me frustrating and annoying?” Alexander watched her intently; he wanted to know if she would hedge, to say the diplomatic thing for fear of offending him—or if she would be honest.
    Daphne stood, and Alexander saw her swallow. Her throat is as dry as mine , he thought. She scrubbed at her face, somehow managing not to mar her subtle makeup, and looked for a moment as if she might bolt—her gaze flickered around the room as if looking for an escape.
    “Since we’re being honest,” Daphne said finally, straightening her shoulders and standing firm in her spot, “Yes. You have annoyed the hell out of me ever since you signed on, and if I didn’t have to keep you onboard to keep my job, I would have let you drop weeks ago.”
    Alexander laughed out loud, letting his head fall against the back of his chair. Through half-closed eyes he saw Daphne’s entire face go red with shock and embarrassment at his reaction—uncertainty in her eyes. He could almost feel the pulse of her hurried thoughts: was it good that he was laughing? Had she called his bluff when she shouldn’t have?
    “I have been making your life difficult, haven’t I?” Alexander stood quickly and moved to the refreshment station off to the side of his desk, hugging one wall of his office. He glanced at Daphne as he stepped over to the mini fridge, raising an eyebrow. “You look like you could use something to drink. Water or something harder? You’re a bit on edge.”
    Daphne