Free Crossing Hathaway by Jocelyn Adams Page A

fingers. “Oh, hush. I’m not going to tell anybody.”
    I thrust my palm upward to punctuate my annoyance. “Are you listening to me? There’s nothing to tell.” I scowled, considering why he’d assumed my presence had some nefarious angle. “Why do you think I’m doing anything with him?”
    “Get this.” He jumped, clapped his hands, and grinned. “He called me by name this morning.”
    I rubbed my forehead, debating whether or not to ask before giving in to curiosity. “What does he normally call you?”
    “Well, let’s see.” He marked each one with a count of his fingers. “There’s idiot, moron, and my personal favorite, freak of nature.”
    Chuckling, I rolled my eyes and opened the door to Mr. Hathaway’s office. “I assure you his change in behavior has nothing to do with me. I’m just here to return this phone to him.”
    Brent said something, but the door shut before I caught it.
    My heart throbbed against my ribs as I walked into Mr. Hathaway’s office, gaping at the brightness of the room. All of the blinds had been drawn to allow a fresh splash of sunlight across the expanse. For the first time, I could see how many doors lined the upper level—there were five—the colorful landscapes decorating the beige walls and a small sitting area complete with black leather sofas and matching chairs, a table full of magazines and a giant fern. Even the air smelled of fresh growing things, a scent swirled around by the cool touch of air conditioning. It didn’t look like the same space. The fires of hell, apparently, had gone out. The door to the boardroom on the second level stood open. I walked up the stairs, my pulse pushing harder with each step. Why was I so nervous? I’d just give him the phone, say thanks and good-bye. I stopped, held a hand to my chest to quell the sudden ache there.
    This is stupid. The phone was probably just a misunderstanding.
    I shook off my melancholy and continued up to the boardroom.
    Mr. Hathaway was bent over the table with his back to me. My gaze zeroed in on the way his gray dress pants showcased the muscular curve of his backside, until I realized what I did and put my hand over my eyes. I didn’t go around staring at men’s asses, no matter how tight and cute they happened to be.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Hathaway.” I strode up to him, averting my eyes. “I came to return this phone you gave Cameron. It’s not mine.”
    He turned and half sat half leaned on the table, grinning.
    When I took a more thorough look at his face, my eyes flew wide, and I drew in a quick breath. “You’re not Mr. Hathaway.”
    “Actually I am, just not the one you’re looking for, I’ll bet.” Beaming, he strode to me and offered his hand. “Pity.”
    I shook it. My skin prickled, and not in a good way. “You look so much like him it’s almost scary.” The only difference was his skin tone. He had a deep bronze tan where Mr. Hathaway had a face that appeared untouched by the sun, pale and unblemished, though nonetheless captivating.
    “Richard Hathaway. I’m Benjamin’s twin brother.” Moaning, he leaned down and pressed his lips to my knuckles while his laughing green eyes rolled up to stare at me.
    I yanked my hand back and retreated, squicked out by a bad case of the heebie-jeebies. “Nice to meet you, Richard. Is your brother here?” I returned the phone to my pocket and rubbed my arms.
    “I’ve made you blush.” He came closer, a dark glint in his eyes I didn’t like one little bit. “What’s your name, kitten?”
    My little voice screamed warnings at me, told me to run like hell out of there. Adrenaline flooded my body, boiling and scalding as it came. I backed up until I bumped into the wall with him following each step. A squeak burst from my lips when his fingers caressed my flaming cheek.
    Another moan escaped from deep in his chest. “You’re sweet enough to taste.”
    When he leaned in to kiss me, I ducked under his arm. “Don’t touch me.”
    He