Read Online La Vie en Rose {Life in Pink} by Lydia Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

dime when he’s alone.”
    Glancing around the corner, she watched as Mark silently practiced schmoozing to himself. She deflated. “Fine.”
    Riley seemed surprised she’d conceded. “Really?”
    “Yeah. But I already told him it was a sure thing.”
    “I can take care of that for you.”
    “No.” She sighed. “I don’t want to embarrass him. I’ll do it.” He was already embarrassing himself enough, using the camera on his phone like a narcissist’s mirror app.
    Pursing her lips, she returned to the dining room. Mark beamed, waving a hand over the shots he’d ordered. “All set?”
    “Yeah, it’s not gonna happen, Mark. I’m sorry.”
    “But...” His expression crumbled. “I thought...”
    It was like giving a kid a new toy then snatching it away. “I’m really flattered that you would... but... I don’t think we’re the right fit.”
    His head lowered in disappointment and guilt swamped her until his gaze lifted and all cocky signs of bravado returned. Brow quirked, duck lips out, and a penetrating smolder zeroing in on her, he cajoled, “Come on, Emma. You know it would be great. We have this incredible connection and—”
    “Get out.”
    They both turned and she stomped her foot. “Damn it, Riley!”
    “You know this guy?” Mark asked, confused.
    “We live together,” Riley answered before she had a chance. “Now, beat it.”
    Mark stood, his eyes drifting from her to Riley and back to her. “Emma?”
    “I’m sorry.”
    Finally, he huffed and left the inn without much of an argument, which was mildly disappointing.
    She glared at Riley. “That was unnecessary.”
    He shrugged and strode to the bar. “I’m over it.”
    “I could have been under it.”
    His steps faltered as his face twisted. “Gross.”
    “Serves you right.” She reached for the shot and tossed it back, unprepared for the burn of turpentine. “Son of a bee sting! What the hell is that?”
    Riley shook his head. “Look at you. You’re not ready to have sex. That was schnapps.” He let out a long-winded sigh and walked away.
    She placed the empty glass on the table with a snick and scoffed. “What do you mean I’m not ready to have sex? I am too ready to have sex. Don’t you walk away from me, Riley Morgan Lockhart. I’d have sex right here, right now if I saw any doable men, but all I see is you and you’re just a cock-blocking killjoy.”
    He continued to shake his head as he returned behind the bar. “Are you done now?”
    She scooted onto the stool. “No. Maybe. Yes. Ass.”
    “We’re going to have to work on your insult repertoire.”
    A man approached the bar and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, miss. I couldn’t help over hearing you were in the market for some company—”
    “ Get out of here!” she and Riley yelled at the same time and the man took off.
    Unreal. She faced Riley and rolled her eyes. The entire predicament suddenly seemed hopeless and hysterical. Her palm covered her mouth as a fit of giggles escaped. His head tipped back as laughter barked out of him.
    When they finally got their amusement under control, Riley passed her a soda. “I’m pretty sure you can have your pick of any man here—now that they all know sex is on the table.”
    She snorted. “How sad is it that I’ve never had sex on a table?”
    “Not what I meant, but good to know. Here’s a lesson on men, leave a bit of mystique. We like a challenge, the thrill of conquering. If you let them know sex is guaranteed, they’re sold, but they’re not gonna work for it. Even the unavailable assholes can sign up for a sure thing.”
    “Gross. I’m not that desperate.”
    He wiped away a spill. “You don’t have to be any level of desperate, Em. Just be you and eventually it’ll happen.” He crossed his arms and leaned on the bar. “You don’t want to sell yourself short and miss the best part.”
    She arched a brow. “Which is?”
    “That moment where all the desire builds into this bullet of need