Read Online Red Hot Rose Boxed Set by Kandi Kayne - Free Book Online Page B

suspiciously.
    “You need money for school.   You need work experience if you’re going to find a solid position when you graduate.   It could be I’m offering things that could help you, but you’ll never know if you don’t hear me out.”
    I gave up trying to find my keys, dropping my bag to the ground in front of my door.   “Why?   Why me?”
    He shrugged slightly, giving me no answer.
    I snorted.   “Whatever.   I’m not a hooker, so you can forget the whole Pretty Woman thing you’ve got going on here.”
    He frowned.   “Pretty Woman?   What’s that?”
    I looked at him incredulously.   “The movie?   Pretty Woman?   Julia Roberts and Richard Gere?   Like, one of the most romantic movies of all time?”
    “Sorry.   Never heard of it.”
    I bent down, searching through my bag again.   “Whatever.   I’m not looking for a job.   I’m fine.”
    “That’s not what I heard.   And for the record, I didn’t think you were a hooker.”
    “Then why did you try to pay me after … well … you know.   After.”
    “Because you were working as an escort.   You went above and beyond.   It’s not unheard of in that industry to receive tips.”
    “My going above and beyond, as you call it, was me just having a good time with a cute guy at a party.   It wasn’t my job.”
    “I got that, when you left the money on my desk.”   He pulled an envelope out of his back pocket, folded in half.   “Here.   Take it.   You can use it towards tuition or rent.”
    I barely spared him a glance.   “Keep it.   It’s ho-money.   I’m not interested.”
    He laughed.   It was so shocking a sound coming from him, my head jerked up of its own accord.   His features quickly went back to their mask of seriousness, making me think that I had possibly imagined the whole thing.
    “Fair enough.   But I have booked us a reservation at The Breakwaters in Palm Beach for eight o’clock tonight, so we can discuss our deal.   So if you don’t want to arrive late, you need to start getting ready.”
    I finally found my keys and stood up, smiling at him in disbelief.   “You aren’t hearing me at all, are you?”
    “No.   Not when you’re saying no, I’m not.”
    “Well, I have homework.”
    “It’s Friday.   You can do it Sunday.”
    I unlocked the door and stepped inside, purposely keeping him out in the hallway.   “I have plans for Sunday.”
    “Cancel them,” he said softly, moving closer to the space I’d left open in the door.
    I could see his full lips, just inches above my own now.   His face was clean-shaven, but still, I could see where the shadow would be coming in soon on his chin.   He nearly overwhelmed me, just standing there like that in front of me, and all I wanted to do was throw myself at him again.   It made me angry at myself, that I was so easy.   A pretty face and hot body is all it takes, damn the personality.   What the heck is my problem, anyway?   I refused to consider that his powerful position in town or his money had anything to do with his attraction.   But if it wasn’t that, what would it be?   It’s not like he was Mr. Personality or anything.
    “Listen, Mr. Blackstone …”
    “Call me Alexander.   Or Alex.”
    “Listen, Alexander.   I’m flattered, but I’m really not interested.”   Yes, I’m lying, but I’m just going to keep doing it because you are pure trouble, Alexander … Alex Blackstone.   “I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid I have to say no thanks.”
    “I’ll be here at six to pick you up,” he said.
    I opened my mouth to protest, but I didn’t have a chance.   He pushed the door in and grabbed me around the back of my neck, pulling my face to his and crushing his lips against mine.
    The passion ignited immediately, as if the embers from last night had never even died down.   Grabbing me and forcing me to kiss him should have enraged me, but all it did was enflame me.   I let the door go, and it swung