Read Online Married To The Boss by Lori Foster - Free Book Online

to repair the damage to the clinic and your own reputation, then I expect to be treated like a wife during that time—with all the privileges due a wife.”
    He stared at her, still trying to figure out how he was misunderstanding, because he was certain he couldn’t be hearing her right.
    She made a broad, nervous gesture with her hands. “Don’t get me wrong, R.J. I’ll do anything I can to help. Though I’m not sure marrying me will really improve your image, I’m willing to give it a try. We can have a few cocktail parties, get involved in some community activities, become the epitome of marital bliss for the media. Whatever it takes, whatever you want. I’ll do anything you think will help. But in return, I want—”
    â€œSex,” he finished for her, the single word laced with ice. “You’re standing there demanding sex.”
    â€œWith you,” she clarified shakily, on the off chance he hadn’t realized that much.
    With a slow, measured stride, he stalked forward to close the space between them. “What game are you playing, Dana?”
    She looked as though she wanted to retreat, but instead, she dug in, facing him squarely. “No game.”
    He gripped her shoulders and shook her slightly. It seemed he’d touched her more in the past week than in all the previous years combined. “Honey, I know you too well to buy this. Since when have you become so sexual? I’ve never even heard you say the word before now.”
    She appeared to resent that. Some of her embarrassment faded, and indignation took its place. “I’m as sexual as the next woman!”
    He flicked the top button of her suit coat. “Yeah, right. You dress like a nun and you never date. When was the last time you had an affair? When was the last time you even had sex?” Her face paled, but he pressed on. “When was it, Dana?”
    â€œThat’s none of your business.” She trembled all over, and then abruptly turned away. “Just forget about it. If it’s too much to ask, if it’s a hardship, then there’s nothing more to talk about.”
    R.J. pulled back, watching her walk stiffly away. He didn’t mind her anger. In fact, he’d set out to provoke it, preferring her anger over her insistence that he make love with her. But watching her retreat, he realized he’d gone too far.
    It was obvious he’d hurt her feelings, and he wanted to kick his own ass. Things had seemed much more straightforward when he’d first come up with this plan. “Dana.” She didn’t look up. “I never said it would be a hardship.”
    The look she shot his way should have left him bleeding profusely on the floor. She threw herself into her chair and snapped open a file as if ready to forget the entire thing.
    He couldn’t let her do that.
    Then he noticed her hands were shaking and her breath was catching in tiny pants. Good Lord, was she going to cry? Because she wanted to have sex with him and he’d pretty much refused? It boggled the mind. Of all the possible scenarios he’d figured might accompany his proposition, this particular one had never come up.
    He went to her desk and sat on the edge. “Dana, you’re a friend, sweetheart. That’s all I meant.” She didn’t look the least bit appeased, and he floundered. He’d spoken the truth when he said sleeping with her wouldn’t be a problem. Just the opposite, in fact. He was afraid he’d enjoy it far too much. That one simple kiss they’d shared had plagued his mind ever since, waking him too often in the middle of the night.
    If he made love to her, nothing would ever be the same again.
    Yet he’d always valued her so much as a friend, as a confidante. Her intelligence and kindness and loyalty had set her apart from other women, and heknew in his heart that once they’d given in to lust, their relationship would