Read Online Midnight Encounters by Elle Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

redhead was no exception, she was the first female he’d encountered who had the nerve to look less than pleased with her decision to say yes.
    “I’m not going to stay at your place if you sulk all night,” he said, keeping his stride casual as he followed her down the sidewalk.
    It was late, and the Saturday night crowds had finally started to disperse. In the distance, a thin mist shrouded the buildings and skyscrapers, and the spring air was chilled, causing Ben to zip up his leather jacket. When he glanced over at Maggie, he was pleased to see her nipples poking against the thin bra under the blue long-sleeved shirt she now wore. She’d also changed into a pair of snug blue jeans and tied her long red hair into a low ponytail, which made her seem younger.
    If it weren’t for the frown on her face, she might have looked a little sweeter too.
    “I’m not sulking,” she replied, the frown deepening.
    “Sure you are.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and cocked his head at her. “I actually find it quite insulting.”
    She stopped walking. “You want to know what’s insulting? You assuming you can waltz into my life and expect me to agree to whatever tickles your fancy.”
    He lifted a brow. “Considering we’re on the way to your apartment, I’d say that wasn’t a bad assumption.”
    Her cheeks turned bright red. “The only reason I’m letting you stay over is because I feel sorry for you,” she huffed.
    A laugh trickled out of his mouth. “Sure, babe. If you say so.” They fell into step again, Ben still chuckling to himself and Maggie apparently using silence as punishment for his amusement. He wondered how she’d react if he told her he viewed her silence as a reward. If he told her she was the first woman who didn’t chatter his ear off. Or coddle him. Or try to seduce him to further her own ambitions.
    Not that he didn’t like being seduced. Every now and then, however, he liked the challenge of doing the seducing himself, a rare feat, considering most women were ready to fuck him before he even asked.
    Hell, these days he didn’t even have to ask.
    “This is it,” Maggie said, finally breaking the drawn-out silence as they came to a stop in front of an older-looking high-rise with large balconies.
    She used a key to get into the lobby, then headed for the elevator without looking back to see if he was following. It was kinda cute, the way she pretended she was doing him a favor by letting him come home with her. He knew better, of course. The way she’d trembled against him during the kiss they’d shared earlier proved the attraction between them was so very mutual.
    “So how long have you lived here?” he asked casually as they stepped into the elevator car.
    Maggie shot him a dirty look. “Don’t make small talk.”
    Taken aback, he said, “Why not?”
    “Because you’re only wasting time.” The doors opened with a loud buzzing noise, and Maggie whisked out of the car, over her shoulder adding, “Neither of us has any illusions about why you’re here.” Again her words startled him, so much so that the elevator nearly closed on his toes. He pushed forward before the doors shut and hurried after Maggie. Another first, having to chase after a woman.
    “And what’s that supposed to mean?” He caught up to her right as she unlocked the door to her apartment and strolled in.
    “It means we both know how this night is going to end,” she replied, mocking him with his earlier words.
    Any other time Ben would have had a sexy comeback, but the second he entered Maggie’s apartment, he became speechless.
    “This is where you live?” he asked, gaping.
    “Yeah. Is there a problem?”
    There wasn’t a problem, per se, but Ben certainly hadn’t expected these surroundings. If he hadn’t seen Maggie unlock the door, he would’ve thought they were in the wrong apartment.
    The place looked like somebody’s grandmother lived in it. Furniture, mostly plaid upholstery, all