Free Shattered Heart by Carol May Page A

cages, I have a calm but eerie feeling spread through my body. Sometimes that’s the way I feel, empty. Suddenly, I don’t want to be alone. My eyes grow wide with surprise when I take out my phone. “Oh crap!” I see fifteen missed calls from either Lana, Joan, or Houston. Easiest first is my motto. I chicken out by sending Lana a text .
    Stop freaking. Am OK. Just needed some alone time. Will fill u n later.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Slamming my hand on the desk, I ask an empty room, “What in the hell am I doing?” Actually, I don’t need anyone to supply an answer. I already know it. I should be re-reading this brief not skimming the report based on the Singapore Brief. Most people would think, that I have nothing else to do today accept worrying about Charli. That woman is driving me crazy. Turning my chair away from the desk, I overlook the Miami skyline but what I see is a beautiful woman laying beneath me. Her eyes filled with lust and desire on the edge of satisfaction. What I hear is her voice husky with need, as she said, “Take me Houston.” Charli Jensen is driving me crazy.
    Our picture might have shown up in several news rags today which puts her face in front of hordes of people. If so, I have no idea what nut job might possibly have picked up on her. Nash needs to put a small detail together. I can already imagine how she will react to that. Maybe Jeff? He’d be good with her. Besides his wife would beat me to killing him if he so much as looked at her in a sexual way. Glancing at my titanium watch, I realize she has been out of touch for two hours at least, when my assistant buzzes to remind me my meeting will begin in the small conference room in five minutes.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I’ m really dreading this because none of his communication was through a text but all calls. I enter the numbers, push send and almost before I can get the phone to my ear, someone answers.
    “Mr. Donovan’s phone, Melinda speaking.”
    “Ah, this is Charli Jensen and I was trying to get in touch with Houston, I mean Mr. Donovan.”
    “Oh yes, Ms. Jensen, I’m Mr. Donovan’s Miami assistant. He is in a meeting at the moment but I was given strict instructions to pull him out if you called. Mam, I know we have never met and please forgive my forwardness but are you alright?”
    “Yes, yes I’m fine. Thank you. Why?” “Mam before Mr. Donovan went into the meeting, I was told to call your number every fifteen minutes until someone answered.”
    “Oh, ok. But I really hate to pull him out of a meeting. Why don’t you just slip him a message that I called. He can return my call then.”
    “Ms. Jensen, please forgive me for saying so but I want to keep my job. Can you hold while I get him? Please, Ms. Jensen.”
    “Yes, I’ll wait.” Good gracious, that woman sure said please enough. I can’t imagine Houston being that upset because I didn’t want him pulled from a meeting.
    Answering the phone as briskly as I have ever heard him, “Charli, did something happen? Where are you? Who was the call from?”
    “Well, hello to you, too. Houston, I’m fine. I’m out on Key Biscayne at Coastal Park.” How did you know I had a phone call?
    “Costal Park, Key Biscayne.” I just sent Nash to pick you up.”
    “Houston, that is so kind of you but don’t send Nash. I will call a cab
    “Charli, not up for discussion.”
    “Ok, then thank you. Hey, how did you know I left the office?”
    “I called your phone. You didn’t answer so I called your office. Joan explained, saying you left right after you got an upsetting phone call. Neither Lana nor Joan knew where you were.

Chapter 12
    When I finally wandered to the parking lot, there was that familiar navy Audi SUV, parked in a place of prominence. It wouldn’t matter if it was parked in the front or the back of the lot. With Nash sporting dark sunglass, hand over hand standing beside the rear door, an aura of prominence is present. Walking toward the SUV, he opened the door