Read Online Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale by Meka James - Free Book Online

how I look, and I think his assistant believes I’m an air head.”
    “What do your looks have to do with being his receptionist?”
    “Oh, well, I have to attend certain events with him at times. For networking he said, and he thinks I look too plain. He told me I looked like a librarian today,” she added with a nervous laugh.
    “Why? Because you dressed in a professional manner?” I asked feeling irritated at the direction of this conversation. Calida just shrugged as she took a sip of her drink.
    I ’d done some research on Patrick Thorn after finding out she would be working for him and learned he was known to be a bit of a womanizer. There had been a few sexual harassment lawsuits that never went anywhere, and I suspected he’d paid those women off. He also had a thing for betting on horse races and had been nearly bankrupt a few times because of it. Hearing her talk now, I wasn’t sure I approved of her working for him. Why do you care?
    I heard the sound of a key being put in the lock, and then her friend walked into the house.
    “Hey Lee, whose car...” she stopped talking when she saw us. “Hello, Seth,” Macy said with a smile.
    “Good evening, Macy,” I replied, standing to greet her. “Well, Calida, thank you again for dinner, but I should be going.”
    “Don’t leave on my account,” Macy said, giving her friend a look I couldn’t quite make out.
    “I assure you it ’s not,” I replied. “I don’t wish to overstay my welcome.”
    “Oh, okay, I ’ll walk you out,” Calida said, looking disappointed but trying to hide it. “Thanks again for the ride. I wasn’t having the best day, but it did end on a much better note,” she said once we were outside.
    “Glad I could have something to do with brightening your day. Thank you for dinner and a very enjoyable evening. I ’ll have to return the favor sometime.”
    “I ’d like that.”
    “Until next time.”
    The same look of anticipation flashed across her face when I stepped closer. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to her soft cheek, giving her a little of the contact she was after.
    “And to answer your earlier question, I have income but not a place I go from nine to five. When my parents died, I inherited control over the family businesses. I have no desire in running them, but I have controlling interest, so I am technically a businessman.”
    “Oh, you didn ’t really have to tell me.”
    “I know,” I replied with a wink, as I opened my car door. “Goodnight, Calida.”  
     
    ***
     
    I remained outside for a bit after Seth drove off. I tried to figure out what to make of our evening. He gave more vague hints about seeing me but still didn’t make any definite plans. I was confused. We’d only talked once in the last week, and that was because I called him to say thank you for the roses. Then he shows up at my office out of the blue.
    “Girl, why didn ’t you send me a text to let me know he was over?” Macy asked when I walked back into the house.
    “It ’s not a big deal,” I replied, gathering up the plates so I could start cleaning up.
    “Yes it is, and you didn ’t even tell me you had plans to see him. I think I should be offended you’d leave me in the dark.”
    “Mace, I ’m not leaving you in the dark. He showed up at my office when I got off, gave me a ride home, and I offered to cook dinner,” I said, putting the rest of the food away after I made myself a lunch plate for tomorrow.
    “Oh, well that was sweet of him. And even more reason to let me know to stay out later.”
    I just rolled my eyes at her implication.
    “Don ’t roll your eyes at me. I see it on your face. You will either be taking a cold shower or finally making use of your birthday gift.”
    “ Ew, Mace, you are such a perv. And no, it’s not like that.”
    “ Whatevs girl, you know I speak the truth.”
    Paul was my first and only.  Macy still thought I was crazy for not exploring my options more.
    “It doesn ’t