Free Skin Tight by Ava Gray

honestly or try to keep her trapped beneath him forever.
    The bastard hedged. “I don’t know. I haven’t worked closely with her long enough to be sure. Maybe you’d like me to write up my thoughts at the end of next week? Our project should wrap up by then.”
    Strong offered a false smile full of bonhomie. “Sounds great! I’ll expect it then. Anything else?”
    “Nope. Have a good evening.” The ginger-haired slug slid out into the hallway, no doubt congratulating himself on snagging a personal assistant.
    It was a day for visitors. Mary came in next, shy and tentative with a bulging belly. She was a good worker, but she kept to herself most days and put up with more crap from Todd than he thought wise. Officially, he didn’t know about any of it, and he wouldn’t interfere unless somebody forced his hand.
    “Have a seat,” he said, propping his elbows on the desk in what he privately called his confide in me pose. “What can I do for you?”
    “I was just wondering if I could split Todd’s time with Glenna,” she mumbled in a rush. “I have a lot to get finished in the next few weeks, and I could really use her help more—”
    “Sure.”
    “I don’t see—What?”
    “I said it’s fine. Fill out the paperwork, and I’ll sign off on it. If Todd gives you any trouble, send him to me. It makes sense for you to work with her anyway, if she’s going to fill in for you while you’re out.”
    This was just the kind of thing he enjoyed. He’d created a tiny pocket of tension, opposing factions, and the prize at the center. Glenna might even appreciate being considered such. Now he could sit back and watch to see who wanted her the most. It would also probably boost Glenna’s self-esteem. It meant answering his own phone for a little longer, but he was enjoying the respite from her relentless efficiency.
    To his dismay, her eyes filled. “Thank you so much. I’m so tired lately, and even though my doctor said I should be over the nausea by now, I still can’t keep anything down.” She gulped audibly, making him think she might upchuck on his desk if she didn’t calm down.
    He withdrew a handkerchief from his jacket and passed it to her. “Try saltines and ginger ale before you get out of bed in the morning.”
    That had been the only thing that righted his wife’s persnickety digestive system. Too clearly, he remembered bringing them to her in bed. How her wan face lit up and she’d whisper, “Thank you, James.”
    James, the man she thought she’d married. Time after time, it broke his heart, until the pieces became too small even to be called dust. He’d thought everything worthwhile, though, when she gave him Lexie.
    When he held his daughter for the first time, or when she called him “Dada” and she knew who she was talking to, nothing had ever been so precious.
    He listened to Mary’s distress with impassive kindness, because that was the sort of thing Thomas Strong would do. And then he offered to let her take tomorrow off, make it a long weekend, and come back refreshed on Monday.
    “You’re the best,” she said, brightening. “This won’t happen again, I swear.”
    By the time he got rid of Mary Thompson, his mood had dropped into the abyss, drowning in memories. Regardless, he couldn’t let it slow him down; he had a “date.”
    He shook his head at the absurdity of it and went to make himself ready.

CHAPTER 6
    Mia was ridiculously nervous.
    She shouldn’t have played his e-mail games or responded to his dinner invitation. He’d already taught her he couldn’t be trusted, but if nothing else, she was, at least, prepared for his tricks this time. She’d always been too curious for her own good, and she needed to figure out what he wanted from her.
    There was no point fooling herself. This wasn’t a date; he was going to try to use her. Once she figured out his intentions, then she’d decide how to proceed. It might be possible for her to get some value out of him as