Read Online His Sugar Baby by Sarah Roberts - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sarah Roberts
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or kids? You don’t even know?”
“I don’t care about that part of her life.” That wasn’t quite the truth, he thought, vaguely troubled. In actuality, when she had inadvertently revealed that she had at least the one child, he had almost asked her about her home life. But he had bitten back the impulse. As long as their mutually beneficial arrangement was unimpaired, he wasn’t going to take an interest in her personal affairs.
“You don’t care.” Darryl shook his head. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he settled deeper into the armchair. “That’s cold, Mike. Even for you.”
Michael deliberately narrowed his eyes and formed the cold half smile that he had cultivated over the years for business negotiations. “What are you saying? That I’m a heartless bastard?”
Darryl flashed a grin that was dazzling against his mahogany skin. With a frankness that would have been insulting except for the fact that they had known each other for a long time, he said, “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He nodded and pointed his finger. “ Cold bastard. But that’s what makes you so good at what you do.”
Michael laughed, letting go of his narrow-eyed expression. “When you’re right, you’re right.”
Darryl chuckled, but then he slowly sobered. “Now that you’re seeing this woman, what about Morgan?”
Michael’s good humor vanished like smoke. Stiffening, he stared across the wide desk at his friend. It was an old discussion, one that he had forcefully made plain he did not want to revisit. It surprised and, yes, irritated the hell out of him that Darryl had brought it up. With deliberate finality, he said, “Morgan and I drifted apart a long time ago.”
“I know that. I also know you’re going to have to deal with the fallout some day.”
Michael just looked at him, and his lips tightened. Anger simmered in his gut.
“Damn, man, you could have been a gunslinger with that icy stare.” After a beat or two, Darryl threw up his hand in mute acknowledgement that he had crossed the line. “I’m just saying. So are you set to go to Singapore ?”
Michael welcomed the change of subject. But he couldn’t contain his annoyed thoughts . What is it with Darryl, anyway? He pushed aside the maelstrom of strong emotions that always rose up inside of him with reminders of the past. “Yeah. I’m flying out day after tomorrow.”
Darryl nodded approvingly. “It’ll be good to nail that account.”
“I’ll bring it home.” Michael pushed the folder that he had been looking at earlier across the desk. “Take a look. I think I’ve got it covered.”
Darryl leaned forward and picked up the folder. Balancing it on his knee, he flipped through a few pages, skimming them. He began to nod. “The presentation looks good.”
They briefly discussed the project, Darryl’s recent trip, and a few other business issues before Darryl left the office. Michael glanced at his wristwatch. Two more hours. That incredible dress.
He smiled.
* * * *
The ballet premier was spectacular. Winter was enthralled with the soaring music, the classical pageantry on stage, and the sheer glamour of the event. Michael had said nothing about her spending the night with him, so she had been able to relax into full enjoyment of the production.
As the performance concluded, she sighed in utter contentment. Winter clapped along with the rest of the appreciative audience. She almost regretted the end of what had turned out to be a perfect evening. It was a rare treat to get out of her lonely apartment and do something like this. She picked up her clutch bag and got to her feet. She was grateful to Michael for bringing her.
Michael helped her to drape the soft wrap over her bare shoulders. His warm hands rested on her for a moment before lifting away. She slid a glance back at her escort as they left their seats and began to make their way up the aisle with the rest of the audience. Michael had worn a black tux and
“I don’t care about that part of her life.” That wasn’t quite the truth, he thought, vaguely troubled. In actuality, when she had inadvertently revealed that she had at least the one child, he had almost asked her about her home life. But he had bitten back the impulse. As long as their mutually beneficial arrangement was unimpaired, he wasn’t going to take an interest in her personal affairs.
“You don’t care.” Darryl shook his head. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he settled deeper into the armchair. “That’s cold, Mike. Even for you.”
Michael deliberately narrowed his eyes and formed the cold half smile that he had cultivated over the years for business negotiations. “What are you saying? That I’m a heartless bastard?”
Darryl flashed a grin that was dazzling against his mahogany skin. With a frankness that would have been insulting except for the fact that they had known each other for a long time, he said, “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He nodded and pointed his finger. “ Cold bastard. But that’s what makes you so good at what you do.”
Michael laughed, letting go of his narrow-eyed expression. “When you’re right, you’re right.”
Darryl chuckled, but then he slowly sobered. “Now that you’re seeing this woman, what about Morgan?”
Michael’s good humor vanished like smoke. Stiffening, he stared across the wide desk at his friend. It was an old discussion, one that he had forcefully made plain he did not want to revisit. It surprised and, yes, irritated the hell out of him that Darryl had brought it up. With deliberate finality, he said, “Morgan and I drifted apart a long time ago.”
“I know that. I also know you’re going to have to deal with the fallout some day.”
Michael just looked at him, and his lips tightened. Anger simmered in his gut.
“Damn, man, you could have been a gunslinger with that icy stare.” After a beat or two, Darryl threw up his hand in mute acknowledgement that he had crossed the line. “I’m just saying. So are you set to go to Singapore ?”
Michael welcomed the change of subject. But he couldn’t contain his annoyed thoughts . What is it with Darryl, anyway? He pushed aside the maelstrom of strong emotions that always rose up inside of him with reminders of the past. “Yeah. I’m flying out day after tomorrow.”
Darryl nodded approvingly. “It’ll be good to nail that account.”
“I’ll bring it home.” Michael pushed the folder that he had been looking at earlier across the desk. “Take a look. I think I’ve got it covered.”
Darryl leaned forward and picked up the folder. Balancing it on his knee, he flipped through a few pages, skimming them. He began to nod. “The presentation looks good.”
They briefly discussed the project, Darryl’s recent trip, and a few other business issues before Darryl left the office. Michael glanced at his wristwatch. Two more hours. That incredible dress.
He smiled.
* * * *
The ballet premier was spectacular. Winter was enthralled with the soaring music, the classical pageantry on stage, and the sheer glamour of the event. Michael had said nothing about her spending the night with him, so she had been able to relax into full enjoyment of the production.
As the performance concluded, she sighed in utter contentment. Winter clapped along with the rest of the appreciative audience. She almost regretted the end of what had turned out to be a perfect evening. It was a rare treat to get out of her lonely apartment and do something like this. She picked up her clutch bag and got to her feet. She was grateful to Michael for bringing her.
Michael helped her to drape the soft wrap over her bare shoulders. His warm hands rested on her for a moment before lifting away. She slid a glance back at her escort as they left their seats and began to make their way up the aisle with the rest of the audience. Michael had worn a black tux and
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