Read Online A Playboy's Love Affair by Emily Quinn - Free Book Online

here’s the card.” Liv offered an envelope and fled the office. Disconcerted at Liv’s flight, Carly took a deep breath and extracted the card concealed in the envelope. She rolled her eyes at the handwritten message.
    Carly,
    Be ready at six thirty sharp. You’re coming as my date to a black tie charity event. No ifs or buts.
    P.S. Hope you enjoy the chocolate-dipped strawberries.
    Alex
    Carly read the message countless times and finally gave up trying to decode it. If the man thought she’d jump at his command, he was mistaken. How dare he? Carly wouldn’t be the one for the night. That was what Alex was used to, what he expected, and someone needed to teach him a lesson. Carly knew her true worth, and refused to make the gossip columns as Alex St. Jones’ new fling.
    She glanced at the note again, for a playboy he fell short on this one. Surely Alex knew a girl needed enough advance notice to go shopping for the perfect dress and shoes, to get her makeup and hair done. Of course he knew. He was being Alex, and Alex St. Jones didn’t give a damn. That was his signature style. Carly pressed auto dial on her desk phone.
    “This is Kiera.”
    “Kiera, it’s Carly.”
    “Hold on.” The line went silent for a few seconds then her cheery voice was back. “Hi sunshine, your playboy is back.”
    “I know and he’s not my playboy. Sorry to call you at work but do you know anything about a charity function tonight?”
    “Honey, you know you can call me any time. I’m surprised you even said that. Now, about your question, yes, there is a charity for orphaned children. Why?”
    “I need your help.” Carly bit her lip as she played with the note in her hand.
    “Uh-oh, this sounds like trouble. I’m all ears. Spill it,” Kiera replied.
    After her chat with Kiera, Carly asked Liv to reschedule her afternoon appointments. She had a dress and shoes to pick, a mani and pedi to get, and hair to do. Alex St. Jones wanted to see her, and see her he would.

Chapter Eleven
    Alex had been away on business longer than he’d planned. His firm’s dealings had been a success, but what gave him greater satisfaction were the results of his work for orphaned children in South Africa. Seeing the happy faces of all those kids and the appreciativeness of those in charge at the grand opening of the new facilities he’d built for them, had all been worth it. Alex wished the media never got wind of his big secret. He liked his bad boy reputation, letting people think what they would.
    Alex was anxious to see Carly. There was nothing wrong admitting he’d missed her. Stating it aloud was a different matter. He wouldn’t do it. It was enough for him to know he had. Alex wondered if Carly had missed him as much or given him any thought at all. He reckoned he’d find out soon enough.
    It was seven thirty exactly. Where the heck was Carly? She’d received his message and he expected her to be ready and waiting. He showed up at her place on time only to be informed by the concierge that Carly left for work at eight that morning and hadn’t been back since. Waiting for her was pointless because she purposely ignored his request. Carly would pay dearly for this. No one stood up Alex St. Jones. No one. Now, he wasn’t only late for the event but also dateless. That was just pretty fucking great. Shit! He wasn’t sure what upset him more: being without a date or the fact that he was eager to see her and Carly was nowhere to be found.
    Alex walked into the arts center where the event was being held and was promptly greeted by the hosts near the entrance. Other benefactors soon surrounded him, engaging him in polite conversation as he made his way into the room. Where were Paul and Dominic? He glanced around, finding exquisitely decorated tables, an improvised dance floor and guests taking their seats. Then he stopped in his tracks. “What the f…” he muttered.
    “I beg your pardon?” the sponsor he’d been talking with