Read Online Hidden Pleasures by Brenda Jackson - Free Book Online Page A

at him. “It is not good manners to kiss in a public place.”
    He smiled, evidently amused. “It’s not?”
    “No.”
    “Do you want to go outside and continue, then?”
    “Of course not!”
    “A pity,” he said, pulling a chair out for her. He brushed his fingers on her arms while doing so and she shivered, wondering if the touch had been accidental or if he’d meant to do it. She glanced over at him and from the smile on his face she knew he’d meant to do it.
    And this was the man who wanted her to stay under his roof for a week. If he was taking these kinds of liberties in public, she could just imagine what he’d do in private. There was something about him that made her unbalanced, shaky, and she had to wonder if she had completely lost her mind to even be here with him.
    “People are staring at us,” she said in a low voice.
    He shrugged. “Let them stare. They probably think we’re lovers who didn’t get enough of each other last night. They’re just jealous.”
    She wondered if he was always this quick with a comeback and if his mind continuously revolved around sex. If nothing else, she was picking up on some heated vibes just sitting across the table from him. She wondered if he felt them or if her senses were the only ones under siege.
    “You wanted to make a counteroffer.” His words had cut into her thoughts and she looked into his green eyes. Good Lord, the man was handsome. “Yes, that’s right,” she said, almost stumbling over the words.
    “Would you care for something to eat and drink before we get started on the negotiations?”
    “Coffee, please.” What she needed was something stronger, but coffee would have to do.
    She watched him motion to the waitress who came over with the coffeepot in her hand and ready to pour. After the woman walked away, he gave Brittany a chance to add her sweetener and take a sip before asking, “So, what’s your counteroffer?”
    Brittany breathed in deeply, shifted in her seat and said, “That I teach you manners for a week but I live in the house.”
    Galen immediately knew what house she was referring to, but decided to ask anyway. “And which house is that?”
    “The one you won at the auction two days ago.”
    “Why? Once you carry out the terms of my offer it will be yours in a week to do whatever you want with it, so what’s the hurry?”
    “If I told you I doubt you’d understand.”
    “Try me.”
    “I’d rather not.”
    Galen knew that even if she had shared her reason, he would not have changed his plans. “I prefer that you stay at my place. In fact, I insist on it. However, I’d give you the key to go there whenever you want when you have some free time.”
    Genuine surprise touched her eyes. “You would?”
    “Yes.”
    He thought her smile perfection and it almost madehim feel like a heel for playing her this way, when all he had to do was tell her that as of ten o’clock yesterday morning, the house had become hers anyway. But for some reason he couldn’t do that. He’d never expected her to consider such an outlandish offer and now that she had, he couldn’t back down.
    She took another sip of her coffee and he took a sip of his, wishing it was a sip of her instead. That quick taste he’d gotten of her when they’d kissed wasn’t enough, especially because he knew there was more where that had come from. Locking lips again with her was not something he was willing to pass up. And then there was her perfume. The scent was as luscious as she looked.
    “So, are you ready to give me your answer?” he asked, while trying not to sound overly eager.
    She looked up at him. “No, not yet. I have to think this through to the end.”
    He could only think of one reason why she was drawing this out and the thought of it annoyed him. “Why? Do you have a boyfriend back home?”
    “Of course not! If I did, I wouldn’t be here contemplating your offer. Just what kind of woman do you think I am?”
    One who put too much