Read Online Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys) by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

insane.
    *     *     *
    Lexie’s heart beat hard in her chest as she settled in to work. She was used to confrontation with her sister. Not so much with other people, but she couldn’t let Kade treat her so badly, not for any reason. It hurt her feelings that he thought he could.
    A to-do list showed up in her email, and Lexie spent the next hour handling appointments and other research information points for Kade. If that’s how he wanted to communicate, then fine. When lunchtime arrived, she emailed him she was going out and would be back in an hour.
    On her way to the elevator, she heard her name being called.
    She turned to find Tessa, a perky blonde, and Becky, a redhead with pretty green eyes, catching up with her. “We’re going out for lunch too. Want to join us?” Becky, Derek’s assistant, asked.
    Lexie really did, but of course, she had to be at her sister’s doctor’s appointment. “I wish I could but I have an appointment I can’t cancel. Rain check?” she asked hopefully.
    Tessa nodded. “Of course. Oh! We’re going out Friday night. There’s a bar called Lights around the corner. Want to come along?”
    She mentally scanned her calendar, and as far as she knew, she was free on Friday. “I’d love to.”
    “Yay! Dress funky,” Becky said as the elevator opened. “We’ll get toasted and have fun.”
    “I’m looking forward to it.” She really was.
    These women were doing their best to make Lexie feel welcome, and she appreciated the effort more than she could express. It had been a long time since she’d had a group of girlfriends of any kind, and she promised herself she’d do everything in her power to show up, be present, and not have to leave early for a Kendall rescue.
    To Lexie’s relief, Kendall’s appointment went smoothly. Her sister really seemed to want to feel better and had taken the initiative by scheduling a meeting with her doctor. For the first time in a long time, Lexie had hope that her sister would improve.
    She wasn’t sure what hope she had for any kind of relationship with her boss. For the rest of the week, they communicated by text or email, and he grunted thank you for his morning coffee. She picked up his dry cleaning and dropped it off at his apartment after work, to find he wasn’t at home. She made sure his lunch was prepared the way he liked it and sat in on meetings with potential investors for the app. But there was no real communication between them, their relationship barely professional.
    By Friday, there was no thaw or change. It bothered her on all levels because she didn’t like living or working in an armed-camp-like state. What frustrated her most of all, however, was that her anger at him didn’t dull the desire she experienced every time she looked at him. It wasn’t just that he oozed sex appeal, but she remembered their kiss vividly and knew what kind of chemistry they shared. None of that mattered, however, because he was her boss. Even if they were getting along great, she couldn’t cross that line again.
    She was glad Becky and Tessa had invited her out tonight. She needed a break from routine. It would be good for her to go out, have a drink or two, and just have fun for once in her structured life. And if she was really lucky, she wouldn’t think about Kaden Barnes at all.
    *     *     *
    Kade let Luke and Derek drag him out to his favorite steak house for dinner. They hit this place at least once a month, and Kade always picked up from here on Helen’s day off, when he was responsible for his own supper. He’d planned on hanging out in front of the television tonight, but the guys insisted they go out. For a prime porterhouse cut, he’d give up his planned solitary evening.
    “A toast,” Luke said, holding up his glass of single malt scotch.
    Derek raised his glass and Kade did the same. “What are we toasting to?” he asked.
    “To one full week with the same personal assistant. I haven’t decided if