Read Online Playing for Keeps by Kate Donovan - Free Book Online

Remember?”
    “Yeah, but you’re so God damned pretty.” He cupped her chin in his hand and insisted, “I’ll do whatever you want, Erica. Any thing. We’ll make this work, I promise.”
    She wanted to kiss him. Needed to kiss him. To feel his mouth on hers, his tongue tasting, his body coaxing. The sexy phone chats had done their work, priming her to an unexpected breaking point. She needed this. And so did he.
    And maybe after their talk they could satisfy this curiosity a little. Indulge in a good-bye kiss and really make it count.
    But she didn’t dare do that yet, so she pushed him away more firmly. They would talk, and then they’d see. Maybe he’d be so annoyed he wouldn’t want to touch her, much less kiss her. But if he wanted a parting gift as much as she did? It would be amazing, and she’d never regret making the trip in person.
    So she told him firmly, “That coffee smells good,” and skirted past him to the table.
    He didn’t say anything in response, but rather, went to the alcove kitchen at the far end of the room and returned with two steaming hot mugs. “You want cream and sugar?”
    “No, thanks.” She never drank it black but wasn’t really a coffee lover, especially when her stomach was already filled with butterflies. So she just accepted the cup, sniffed it appreciatively, and set it on the table.
    He looked like he wanted to pace. Or maybe take another run at her. But after a moment’s hesitation he took the seat directly across from her, just as he’d done at the pitch. “Like I said, whatever this is, we’ll work it out.”
    She moistened her lips. “So I’ll just talk if that’s okay. And you’ll listen?”
    “Okay, shoot.”
    She sighed. “I know I’ve led you on a bit and I’m sorry. But in my defense, there really is some fun chemistry between us. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to socialize with you anymore. I loved the phone calls, and the beautiful roses—”
    “The roses?” He sat up straighter. “Did I get you in trouble with those? Fuck, I’m an idiot. I just figured—”
    “It was fine. Clients send flowers all the time, and it makes sense that you would too. And I really did love them. But my circumstances are complicated.” She exhaled slowly. “I’m going to tell you something confidential. Okay?”
    “Sure.”
    “I recently settled a dispute at work. Part of the settlement was a promise that neither side would discuss the details with anyone. But you need to hear this.”
    Johnny’s eyes narrowed. “This is about that Frank guy, right? He talked to Murf about it, you know.”
    “Oh, God, what did he say?” Her throat tightened. “He was supposed to keep quiet.”
    “Did he force himself on you?” Johnny rose out of his chair. “God damn it!”
    “Sit down, please?” She managed a weak smile. “It’s nothing like that.”
    “He threatened to fire you if you wouldn’t sleep with him? What an a-hole.”
    “He didn’t threaten to fire me,” she murmured, unnerved by how much this sounded like her interview with Human Resources. “He didn’t call me any lewd names either. Didn’t remark on my body. Didn’t offer a quid pro quo. So I guess nothing happened after all, right?”
    “Huh?”
    She stared back at him, completely devastated.
    “He obviously did something . Tell me what it was. Then let me set him straight.” He walked around the table and pulled her to her feet, then gathered her against his chest. “Look how upset you still are.”
    “I’m not upset, or at least not with him,” she assured him, pulling free. “I just don’t like talking about it. And it’s not the point anyway. The point is, this is my big shot. A make-or-break moment for me at the agency, and there are some people—maybe lots of them—who hope I fail. That’s why I can’t see you. Or flirt with you.” She smiled in weary apology. “Can’t we just sit back down? Talk it through calmly?”
    His jaw hardened, and he seemed like he was