Read Online Love Me Like No Other by A. C. Arthur - Free Book Online
Authors: A. C. Arthur
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nicely. As a matter of fact all three of the Donovan brothers were exceptionally handsome and well built. But to Jade, none of them quite measured up to Linc. Still, Adam possessed the kind of carefree attitude Jade was normally attracted to. Trent, on the other hand, needed to take a chill pill.
“I’m a licensed massage therapist.” She didn’t mention the fact that she owned her own spa because that seemed to pale in comparison to what the Donovans were used to as a way to make a living.
“She also graduated from Harvard. That’s where she and Lincoln met,” Mrs. Donovan added.
“So you’ve known Linc for about eight or nine years now?”
Leveling her gaze at Trent, the middle child, the one with the cool dark eyes and a strong jaw,she tried to read his expression. If she didn’t know better she’d think he was purposefully goading her. Instead she was slightly intrigued by this instant dislike he directed toward her. “Yes. But we haven’t seen each other in quite some time.”
“And you picked now to show up?”
“Actually, I didn’t pick anything. I went to the Gramercy for some R&R. My grandmother passed away almost a year ago and I needed to get out and do something with myself. I had no idea that Linc owned the Gramercy.” Part truth was just as good as total honesty, she reminded herself.
“But you were happy to find out weren’t you?”
“Trent, that’s enough,” Mr. Donovan stated adamantly.
So the lion had decided to bare his teeth after all. Jade never backed down from a battle. It would do Trent good to find this out now. “I was not looking for your brother, who I knew from the moment I met him eight years ago would be successful. So to answer your question, yes. It was good to see Linc again and yes, I was proud of what he’d accomplished with his life.” She took a deep breath and continued to stare at Trent. “And no, the fact that he owns a casino did not register dollar signs in my mind. I have my own education and ambition and I don’t need to ride on anybody’s coattails.”
Adam grinned. “Score one for Jade and a whopping goose egg for Trent.”
Mr. Donovan rolled his eyes.
Mrs. Donovan wiped her hands on her napkin. “That’s enough, Trent. Jade is Lincoln’s guest and we will be nothing but polite to her. It’s good to see Lincoln with someone. He appears happy.”
Jade turned at the woman’s words. Did he appear happy? She couldn’t tell. But then it didn’t matter. Lifting her spoon to her mouth again Jade silently chanted “business, not pleasure,” over and over again.
The meal was soon over and even though Trent seemed to question her more than others Jade found that she enjoyed herself. Mr. Donovan was quite the comedian once he managed to get a word in between his wife and his youngest son. Adam was hands down her favorite Donovan—in the room, that is. With his laughing eyes and easy personality he was a stark contrast to Trent’s serious, almost suspicious nature.
But neither of them measured up to Linc. Throughout the meal she found her thoughts constantly returning to him. His presence did something to her, something other than annoy her with memories, something she wasn’t quite willing to examine just yet. Besides, she wanted to do herjob to the best of her ability; dismissing the five-thousand-dollar debt was all that mattered.
Her heels clicked on the hardwood floors in the foyer of the Donovan home. She paused in the living room to examine all the family photos strewn about. They seemed so happy, so complete. On her mantel in her apartment she had a photo of her, Noelle and her mother when she was six and her, Grammy and Noelle when she’d graduated from Harvard. Emptiness settled over her as she traced a hand along one silver-trimmed frame.
Quickly regaining her senses she left the beautifully decorated room in search of the den and Linc. He was sitting in a sage-green high-backed chair. This room was warm, more inviting than
“I’m a licensed massage therapist.” She didn’t mention the fact that she owned her own spa because that seemed to pale in comparison to what the Donovans were used to as a way to make a living.
“She also graduated from Harvard. That’s where she and Lincoln met,” Mrs. Donovan added.
“So you’ve known Linc for about eight or nine years now?”
Leveling her gaze at Trent, the middle child, the one with the cool dark eyes and a strong jaw,she tried to read his expression. If she didn’t know better she’d think he was purposefully goading her. Instead she was slightly intrigued by this instant dislike he directed toward her. “Yes. But we haven’t seen each other in quite some time.”
“And you picked now to show up?”
“Actually, I didn’t pick anything. I went to the Gramercy for some R&R. My grandmother passed away almost a year ago and I needed to get out and do something with myself. I had no idea that Linc owned the Gramercy.” Part truth was just as good as total honesty, she reminded herself.
“But you were happy to find out weren’t you?”
“Trent, that’s enough,” Mr. Donovan stated adamantly.
So the lion had decided to bare his teeth after all. Jade never backed down from a battle. It would do Trent good to find this out now. “I was not looking for your brother, who I knew from the moment I met him eight years ago would be successful. So to answer your question, yes. It was good to see Linc again and yes, I was proud of what he’d accomplished with his life.” She took a deep breath and continued to stare at Trent. “And no, the fact that he owns a casino did not register dollar signs in my mind. I have my own education and ambition and I don’t need to ride on anybody’s coattails.”
Adam grinned. “Score one for Jade and a whopping goose egg for Trent.”
Mr. Donovan rolled his eyes.
Mrs. Donovan wiped her hands on her napkin. “That’s enough, Trent. Jade is Lincoln’s guest and we will be nothing but polite to her. It’s good to see Lincoln with someone. He appears happy.”
Jade turned at the woman’s words. Did he appear happy? She couldn’t tell. But then it didn’t matter. Lifting her spoon to her mouth again Jade silently chanted “business, not pleasure,” over and over again.
The meal was soon over and even though Trent seemed to question her more than others Jade found that she enjoyed herself. Mr. Donovan was quite the comedian once he managed to get a word in between his wife and his youngest son. Adam was hands down her favorite Donovan—in the room, that is. With his laughing eyes and easy personality he was a stark contrast to Trent’s serious, almost suspicious nature.
But neither of them measured up to Linc. Throughout the meal she found her thoughts constantly returning to him. His presence did something to her, something other than annoy her with memories, something she wasn’t quite willing to examine just yet. Besides, she wanted to do herjob to the best of her ability; dismissing the five-thousand-dollar debt was all that mattered.
Her heels clicked on the hardwood floors in the foyer of the Donovan home. She paused in the living room to examine all the family photos strewn about. They seemed so happy, so complete. On her mantel in her apartment she had a photo of her, Noelle and her mother when she was six and her, Grammy and Noelle when she’d graduated from Harvard. Emptiness settled over her as she traced a hand along one silver-trimmed frame.
Quickly regaining her senses she left the beautifully decorated room in search of the den and Linc. He was sitting in a sage-green high-backed chair. This room was warm, more inviting than
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