Read Online One Night with the CEO by Mia Sosa - Free Book Online Page B

angry every time I think about it. So you can see why I wasn’t too enthusiastic about dating in college. And now with med school bearing down on me, I can’t see that dating anyone would make sense.” She slipped her hands between her thighs and blew out a breath. Shit. This was hard to talk about. “But I have needs, too.”
    “We all do,” Alex said.
    “Exactly.”
    “But you don’t have to date someone to have your needs met, Karen.”
    Karen’s rebellious brain produced an image of Mark in her head. She slipped on her sunglasses, needing to shield her eyes from Alex’s curious gaze. Yes, he had a point there.
    *  *  *
    Mark stepped out of the car, his gaze settling on Karen within seconds. She stood on the porch of her grandmother’s house and was greeting guests. She’d pinned her hair on top of her head and let a few ringlets fall around her shoulders. The hairstyle gave him an unobstructed view of her neck and lovely collarbones, and the coral sundress she wore emphasized her slim waist and curvy hips. She’d worn a pretty outfit. Nothing more. Nothing less. But his traitorous brain tricked him into thinking she’d chosen the outfit with him in mind.
    He managed to draw his gaze away from Karen and surveyed the neighborhood. Rows of concrete houses with red-tile roofs dotted the streets, each one battling the others for the title of house with the most eye-catching color scheme: sky blue and green, canary yellow and white, and a rust color that either had been selected on purpose or represented abnormal wear and tear. Green grass and lush palm trees fronted some of the homes.
    Abuela Marta’s house boasted an outdoor staircase that led to a second-floor balcony. The concrete walls of the home had been painted pink and white, and the white picket fence jutted from the right side of the house, wrapped around the porch, and ended at the carport on the house’s left side. If the house had had any curves, it would pass for a giant flamingo.
    He would have preferred to walk past Karen, because engaging in as little conversation with her as possible seemed the safe thing to do, but the thought of ignoring her altogether bothered him more than the risk of succumbing to her charms.
    “Hello, Karen.”
    Her smile faltered as she turned to face him. “Good to see you again, Mark.”
    They stared at each other. Would it always be like this between them? This tightness in the air stifling them? The sense that what they really wanted to say or do bubbled under the surface? He hoped not—for both their sakes. “Same here.” He dug his hands in his pockets and gave her an inquiring look.
    She straightened and shook her head as if to clear it. “Oh, right. Go ahead inside. Ethan and Gracie are holding court. When you have a minute, I’ll introduce you to my grandmother.” She moved closer and stood on her toes to whisper in his ear. “She’s a spitfire. Be careful.”
    He smiled and crossed the threshold. Heat smacked him in the face, along with the smell of unfamiliar foods. He sniffed the air. Just past the foyer two tables of food in various chafing and serving dishes made his mouth water. Guests milled about with plates in their hands, alternating between eating the sumptuous food and catching up with friends. Salsa music played in the background.
    He found Gracie and Ethan in the living room.
    His friend squeezed his shoulder and clasped his hand. “Hey, buddy. Glad you could make it.” Ethan turned to Gracie. “Now we can get married.”
    Gracie raised a brow. “Sorry to tell you this, Mark, but we would have gotten married without you. Still, I’m glad you’re here.”
    “She’s nothing if not honest, eh?” he said to Ethan.
    “And beautiful. And smart.” Ethan dipped his head and nuzzled Gracie’s neck. “And sexy. Let’s not forget sexy.”
    “Down, boy,” Mimi shouted from across the room. She pinned him with her stare, and then she mouthed, I’m watching you.
    Ethan groaned.