Read Releasing Kate for Free Online Page B

took a deep breath, struggling to regain her calm before continuing, “Remember that I used to work for Charity Hospitals?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, I still have friends there. Michael Kyle worked there before he came here. I’m embarrassed to admit I contacted my friends and asked about him. I was curious,” she defended herself. “Especially after he brought in that collection.” She squirmed in her chair as Kate waited. “Well,” she continued, “I found out more than I wanted to know.” Sighing, she looked Kate in the eyes and stated, “He’s a predator…a sexual predator.”
    “What do you mean? He’s been arrested?” Kate felt a little stunned. The fact she was attracted to a predator was disturbing.
    “No he’s never been arrested or sued…but I was told that at every place he’s ever worked he targets one female employee. He’s into bondage and domination. He likes to control women and it is not just simple control…he likes isolating a woman and keeping her in sexual submission for weeks at a time.” She spewed the words out in a rush.
    “But that’s sexual harassment—”
    “No. I was told that the woman willingly participates, that the job is never part of the deal.” She took a bite of salad and chewed it. She frowned before continuing. “He especially likes to bend independent women to his will.” Her frown deepened. “It is so hard to talk to you about this. He’s been so nice to me. He’s a wonderful boss. I really hate that I checked on him. I really hate to spread gossip,” she rushed on, “but he’s been asking questions about you—personal questions about your lifestyle and beliefs. He’s read your entire employee record. He ordered a background investigation on you. I think he’s targeting you,” she finished.
    Kate squirmed at the thought of someone prying into her background. Not that she believed they’d find anything. She certainly hadn’t been able to find out about her biological parents. No relatives had ever come forward to claim her after the car accident. Over the years, she’d shoved the adoption to the back of her mind. Maybe Michael would tell her if he found anything.
    “Kate?”
    Eileen’s soft prompt brought Kate back to the present. She took a moment, trying to sort out her conflicting emotions. She felt a thrill of fear in her stomach even as warmth flooded her pelvis. She knew that alpha males were evolutionary throwbacks. She couldn’t want Michael, could she? She reluctantly admitted that she was tempted. Even while revulsion fought for supremacy in her mind. She wouldn’t be any man’s sexual slave. While Kate wasn’t averse to a quick fling, even though he was the boss, there was no way she’d give up total control.
    “He can’t do much without my cooperation,” she finally said.
    “Well yes,” Eileen agreed. “That’s the whole point. He’ll pursue you until you do agree. At least that has been his pattern in the past.”
    Kate shrugged. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll be careful,” she said as they finished lunch.
    Later that night, Kate replayed their conversation. Was Eileen right? Was Michael a predator? Was that how he made her feel safe, protected and threatened all at the same time? And what had he meant about her clan heritage? She’d been adopted. She knew little about her biological family and what she did know made her doubt that she’d want to admit her heritage. She wasn’t sure Michael would accept that denial though. She’d already seen his edge. He didn’t seem to hide his dark side. So why wasn’t she running away from him? Was it possible that he was the right one? Was he a man she could trust with her unspoken needs?
    The dark edge of sex fascinated Kate. She’d fought the impulse all of her life by choosing sensitive men—men horrified by the thought of violence toward women. Despite therapy, she hadn’t been able to rid herself of the memory of her biological mother chained to a wall, her back