Read Translucent for Free Online

just five minutes, I’m grateful I opted to ride in the back so Jae can answer his slew of questions about the project.
    After parking in the visitor lot adjoined to one of the lofty office buildings, I take on my usual role of following their lead and allow the two of them to guide me up to the tenth floor, which houses Decker Enterprises. We’re greeted warmly by the receptionist and ushered into a conference room that’s been set up for our meeting.
    “Mr. Decker and Ms. Lister will be with you shortly,” she advises before leaving the room. “There are beverages on the far table; please, help yourself.”
    Jae grabs three bottles of water, and then we all sit down to get settled. Positioned between the two of them, I survey the room as we wait, taking note of the oversized, plush, black leather chairs—eight of them to be exact—surrounding the massive, rectangular, solid oak boardroom table. In addition to the luxurious furniture, state-of-the-art technology is scattered around the room; an enormous flat screen is displayed on one wall, several laptops are stationed around the table, and there are speakers mounted in each corner of the ceiling. The overall grandeur feel of the room escalates the hint of anxiety I woke up with, to full-force nervousness and apprehension. I’m way out of my league, and I can only pray I don’t say or do anything to fuck this up.
    Unable to control the slight chatter of my teeth, Jae either hears the rattling of enamel, or feels the tension rolling off of me, because she grabs my hand from my lap and squeezes it reassuringly. Unfortunately, there’s no time for the soothing gesture to sink in and take effect before the door swings open and two people—a man and a woman—join us.
    We all rise to our feet and walk around the table to shake hands and make introductions, my eyes glued to the floor as I try desperately to remember my name and swallow down the bile building in my throat. Mr. Thompson goes first, followed by Jae, and finally, it’s my turn. Tearing my focus from the ground and plastering what I hope appears to be a smile on my face, I place my own hand in the masculine one extended towards me at the same time I gaze into the most captivating eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re blue like mine, but a shade so light they almost appear to be crystalized. Momentarily forgetting my apprehension about strange men, I find him entrancing, and his touch—even though it’s just my hand—incites something exhilarating inside of me.
    “Madden Decker, CEO,” he states with an authoritative tone, his gaze still locked on mine.
    The letters CEO quickly remind me who I’m talking to and my purpose at this meeting. “Blake—um, Blake Martin,” I respond timidly, dipping my chin slightly. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “It’s my pleasure, Blake.” He holds onto my hand as I attempt to pull away, prolonging our physical connection, while the wicked twinkle in his eye and roguish intonation in his voice as he says my name and the word pleasure in the same sentence indicates he knows precisely the reaction he’s having on me. With his strikingly good looks and prominent position, I’m sure many females have the exact same reaction when they meet him. Feeling foolish, I scowl at our joined hands until he releases mine, and I hastily introduce myself to the woman standing behind him. I’m so lost in reprimanding myself for the brief moment of absurdity I pay no attention to what she looks like; I only want to return to the safety of my chair snugly situated between my coworkers.
    “I apologize for my brother, Easton; he’s running a little late this morning, but I’ve brought his personal assistant, Emerson Lister, here to fill in until he arrives,” Mr. Decker states as he settles himself into the chair at the head of the table.
    “Oh, no worries at all, Mr. Decker,” Jae replies respectfully. “I’m sure we’ll be able to bring him up to speed when he