When I'm With You: The Complete Novel Read Online Free PDF

Francesca for allowing his assistant to plan a little bit too much of the gift-giving and romantic outings. Francesca definitely preferred Ian’s personal touch, and it was a sign of Ian’s devotion to her that he freely gave her his most prized asset: his time. A man like Ian Noble had precious little of that commodity.
    Ian’s gaze flickered over to Elise. Lucien stiffened when the sharp blue eyes stuck. It wasn’t just that Elise was lovely. She was like a luminous flame that radiated sexuality.
    “Where’s Mario?” Ian asked quietly under his breath, referring to his disgraced chef.
    Damn Elise and her intrusions.
    “I fired him last night,” Lucien replied.
    Ian’s brows rose in subdued curiosity. “And this is your new chef?”
    “I’m Elise Martin,” Elise said, wiping off her hands with a towel and coming around the table.
    “Ian Noble,” Ian said.
    Lucien stood there, steaming in a vat of helplessness as he watched Ian and Elise shake hands. He couldn’t think of a way to deny that Elise worked with him without highlighting their past association, and possibly causing her to reveal something he wanted kept secret at all costs.
    “ Ian Noble. Noble Tower?” she murmured under her breath. He saw when it clicked into place for her. She cast an amazed, curious glance at Lucien that made him stiffen. “I knew Fusion was in the Noble Tower building, but I didn’t realize the Noble referred to you. This is your headquarters?”
    “That’s right. I look forward to sampling your creations. Francesca and I are regulars here at Fusion,” Ian said.
    Lucien frowned when he noticed Elise’s upturned face as she studied Ian. Ian couldn’t help it that he was very attractive to the opposite sex. Ian’s greeting and gaze were politely interested, nothing more, but Elise’s inspection of him didn’t have to be so openly curious, did it? Her sapphire-blue gaze transferred to Lucien and her smile widened. Lucien ground his teeth in impotent fury, unsure what the little minx would do next and wondering how quickly she could ruin in seconds what had taken years to create.
    “I’ve heard so much about you,” Elise told Ian, although she was goading Lucien, of course.
    “You’re French?” Ian asked.
    “Yes. I understand from some of the articles I’ve read about you that you are as well.”
    Ian nodded. “I was born in France, raised in England, schooled in the States. Where did Lucien find you?”
    Lucien flashed her a warning glance, which she ignored.
    “In a pot of trouble, I’m afraid,” Elise said, her grin gamine, not to mention sexy as hell. Lucien’s body responded to that smile against his will. An uncomfortable blend of fury and lust simmered in his blood, sending an alarm blaring in his brain. She opened her lips to explain further, but Lucien cut off the potential catastrophe of Elise’s mouth.
    “Elise and I just met. She’s a friend of Mario’s,” Lucien said. It seemed imperative at that moment of crisis that the lie he told was simple and easy for Elise to understand. They needed to be on the same page for this unexpected—undesirable—encounter.
    “You’re very kind to step in and help Lucien in a pinch,” Ian said.
    Elise’s gaze flew to Lucien, gauging his reaction to what Ian had said. Unwilling to say much else that might cause further inquiry on Ian’s part, not to mention unsolicited revelations on Elise’s, Lucien remained silent. He scowled when he saw her face grow radiant with triumph. She’d gotten just what she wanted, and she knew he knew it.
    I’m going to punish you for this.
    He wondered if she’d read his mind, because her triumphant expression faded.
    “I was wondering if I could talk to you about something in private?” Ian asked Lucien, giving him just the excuse he needed to get Ian away from Elise.
    “Of course. In my office?” Lucien suggested, extending his hand toward the door.
    “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Martin,” Ian said