Free Bailey: Independence #1 by Karen Nichols

shade of green but now hid behind a pair of dark framed glasses. His gaze flickered over the familiar company badge she had clinging to the breast pocket of her jacket.
    “And you are?” He listened to the low, husky sound of his own voice, one brow up patiently. He was glad his hands were shoved in his pockets because he really wanted to grab her and lift her off her feet until he had her undivided attention.
    “Mud,” a part of her whimpered.
    “O’Conner…Bailey O’Conner, sir.” She licked her lips and glanced toward the computer. Anything to stop herself from staring and remembering.
    “You appear slightly flushed, Miss O’Conner,” he remarked levelly. “Perhaps you should sit down for a few minutes.”
    “I’m fine, thank you…sir. I was just running because…umm…because I know how important…I’m good.” She rushed on. “I was told someone needed help with a computer presentation that wasn’t functioning properly,” she rushed the words out at the same time she moved forward and stared down at the laptop.
    “You seem very familiar, Bailey O’Conner.” Gabriel moved slowly around the large conference table until he was at her side, watching her hands move over the keyboard, opening and closing files with amazing speed. He socialized with several individuals as well as couples from the club but it always surprised him to see them in their professional environment and Bailey O’Conner was no exception.
    “I…I just have that kind of face,” she murmured. “Ah…here’s the problem. Wrong designation. I can fix this for you.”
    “Ordinarily my assistant could handle this problem. It must be my lucky day that you were available,” he commented smoothly, moving to her side and leaning over. A low growl broke free at the scent that assailed his senses. Chocolate and vanilla and a glimpse of freckles.
    A sense of satisfaction went through him when he felt her body jump slightly. Cheeks dappled with freckles now had a pretty flush of pink tinting them. He imagined they’d been that color most of the night in the club.
    “This won’t take a minute,” she promised, struggling to keep from leaping out of her skin. Ohgod, ohgod, ohgod! Please just let me survive this!
    His cologne got into her system and wouldn’t let go. His voice was strumming over every nerve she owned. She could feel her panties suddenly wet and throbbing.
    “No hurry at all. I had one bitch of a weekend after Friday night,” he continued in a low, amused voice. “You definitely make it look easy. I guess it just goes to show, we all have our specialties.”
    Bailey closed her eyes and was grateful her fingers knew how to fly over a keyboard.
    “Yes, sir,” she whispered with a nod. “Your file is restored and I’ve opened it and prepared the presentation for you to run.”
    “I’ll have to see that you’re appropriately rewarded,” he stood up and took a half step back. Not much. Because at the moment, she should consider herself fortunate he had a presentation and instructions to issue to his departments. What he really wanted was to throw her over his knee and blister her ass. Bare and pink.
    “Oh,” her head shook adamantly, her eyes rising but stopping on the knot of his tie. “It’s my job. My pleasure. I mean, I’m glad I could help. I should be going, I have…there is another class for me this afternoon.”
    “No pleasure comes without pain,” he held his palm out. “Miss O’Conner,” he waited until her hand was in his. Then he lifted his other hand and placed three fingers beneath the lowered chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. He didn’t release her until she did. “Gabriel Garrett. Thank you for your help.”
    “You’re welcome,” she whispered anxiously, delicately extracting her palm from his and taking a step back. “Have a nice day,” she breathed before beating a hasty retreat, into the hall and down the corridor.
    Bailey made it to the corridor outside the restroom by the