Bailey: Independence #1 by Karen Nichols Page A

jolt to a cock that should be sated. At least for now.
    She liked the grin. It softened him and made him look younger and playful.
    “Will I be punished if I ask why?”
    Gabriel laughed this time, his head shaking and falling to rest his forehead against hers for a quiet minute.
    “No, you won’t. Why I want to have dinner with you?”
    “Why me instead of…of Gillian? She’s gorgeous,” Bailey breathed reverently.
    Gabriel brought his palm to her face, his thumb tracing her lower lip.
    “So are you,” he kissed her softly and stepped back. “You just don’t realize it,” he slid his palm down her arm and twined their fingers. “You can take me for Pho soup.”
    “I’d like that,” she set the empty glass down and walked with him to the door, a slight wince crossing her face. “I’m not going to be able to sit down for an hour.”
    “Hmm…usually I get a ‘thank you, sir’ for an appropriate punishment,” Gabriel laughed when her panicked gaze flew to his. “Such a lapse in your training, Bailey,” he led her to the sofa and refused to release her fingers. “Sit with me for a minute.”
    Bailey offered only a token resistance when he pulled her onto his lap, her sigh soft and relaxed as she lay her head against his shoulder. Her eyes closed and she liked the large hand stroking over her head, tangling in her hair.
    “I’ve got to go,” she said finally, pushing against his shoulder.
    “I’ve got to say something before you do,” he waited until her gaze rose to his. “Before the questions start popping into that active imagination, I’ve never used this office like this before. I’ve never brought my personal life into this office, nor have I ever taken a woman or wanted one the way we just did. I don’t want you thinking that I use my position for anything like this. Alright?”
    “You’re very intuitive,” she said softly.
    “I don’t like misunderstandings and I value honesty. I’ll meet you at the front door at four-thirty. Will that work?” He didn’t hold her when she pushed to her feet and moved to the door, but rose and followed behind her quickly.
    “I have my car,” she said quickly, the rush of cool air striking her when he unlocked the door and pulled it wide.
    “We can get it later,” he released her palm and tipped her face up. “Four-thirty.”
    “Yes,” she backed up quickly.
    “Bailey…” Gabe had moved to his desk and bent to retrieve the black lace lying on the floor. He held her panties up by one finger, watching the shock and embarrassment in her eyes when she realized what he had.
    “Oh, my…” Bailey crossed the room, pausing just outside his reach, her gaze wary and calculating. Her hand was up, snatching the panties and stuffing them into her pocket before she almost ran down the corridor, past the admin’s office and to the stairwell.
    She was positive she heard his laughter as her hands hit the wide latch on the door.
    Gabriel leaned against the door jamb, arms crossed over his chest and just staring down the corridor. She’d been right there under his nose for the last three years.
    “Exactly what are you up to?” Janet finally looked over at him. She’d been careful when she heard the snick of the lock, her back to the departing woman and the murmured words she couldn’t quite hear when the door opened. “You never lock your door.”
    “Life is filled with changes,” Gabriel offered in his normally enigmatic tone. There were two empty, large conference rooms and him and Janet on the floor. He met her amused glance. “Keep your cute little spy ears to the ground. If you hear anything derogatory or spiteful about Bailey, I want it not only squelched, but I want the source.”
    Janet leaned back in her very comfortable chair. “You. And Bailey?” Her boss merely arched a brow. She hated when he offered that cool patience while the dumb person absorbed the words. “She’s not a kid, but you’re the owner, Gabe. There will be