Read Online For His Keeping (For His Pleasure, Book 3) by Kelly Favor - Free Book Online Page A

between them, a quest to establish dominance, probably going all the way back to their caveman ancestry. These two men were kings of their respective domains, used to getting whatever they wanted, used to people bowing and scraping. But in this instance, they were faced with another man who considered himself a true equal.
    “There are two ways I can have what I want,” Kane said, after a time. His eyes were turning colder and colder, Nicole thought—as if his pleasant mask were slowly melting away and his true face was coming through. Behind the mask of politeness lay a true predator who was no better than any cold-blooded killer, despite the fact that he could discuss wine and politics and music. “The first way I get what I want is through cooperation,” Kane continued. “Mutual cooperation between you and I,” he told Red.
    “And the other way?” Red asked, sounding interested.
    “The other way is far less pleasant, unfortunately,” Kane replied. “You’ve already had a taste of it,” he said to Red. “I’ll bleed your newly acquired German advertising agency white, suck the very marrow from its bones. Your stock will plummet, as it already has begun to—and what was at first a minor flesh wound will become infected.”
    Red smirked, but Nicole could tell that Kane was telling the truth.
    “This infection will fester,” Kane said, toying again with his wine glass. “When the quarterly earnings reports come out, it will become gangrene and an amputation will be required. I have a feeling that the amputated limb might just be Jameson International’s own founder and CEO.” Kane glanced up to gauge Red’s response.
    Red hadn’t reacted at all, however. For the first time in the conversation, Kane seemed a trifle miffed. His arrogant smile morphed into a tiny frown momentarily.
    “I’m not afraid of losing my job,” Red told him. “I’ve started one company, I can start another.”
    “But you needn’t lose your job,” Kane said.
    The waiter reappeared just then, asking in heavily accented English if they were ready to order. “We haven’t had a chance to look at the menu yet,” Red told him.
    “That’s all right,” Kane said. And then in German, he and the waiter exchanged some words back and forth, before the waiter departed.
    Red shook his head. “I’m not interested in anything you’ve presented so far. Not your offer to become partners, nor your threats to my job, and certainly not your restaurant etiquette.”
    Kane shrugged. “You should consider what I’ve said tonight. Pride should never interfere with business.”
    “I’ve had just about enough fortune cookie wisdom,” Red said, standing and pulling Nicole’s seat back for her so that she could get up as well.
    “It was a pleasure meeting you, Nicole,” Kane said, standing and bowing his head slightly.
    She didn’t know what to say, so Nicole just smiled uncomfortably and then Red took her hand and they left.
    On the taxi ride home, Red was mostly quiet, contemplative.
    “Should I just keep my thoughts to myself?” she asked him.
    He turned to her and shook his head. “Of course not,” he said, putting his hand on her leg, where his touch electrified her skin. “I want you to be able to tell me anything.”
    As the cab bumped its way through Berlin, shadows moved across Red’s face.
    Somehow it felt more romantic than ever to be close to him. “First, remember how much I love you,” she told him. “So when I say this, it comes from a place of wanting what’s best for you—and for us.”
    “Of course,” he said.
    “I think you should accept his offer.”
    Red just looked at her. “You can’t be serious. That man is the scum of the earth, Nicole.”
    “He might be. But what’s the alternative?”
    Red sat back and rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb. He was sexy even when he was confused and unsure, she thought—especially since he was unsure so rarely.
    Although lately, it seemed events were