Read Online Romance: The Billionaire Alpha Collection by Penny Ward - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Penny Ward
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job search and go back to school if I want to, but how will what happened between us affect future relationships? Asking a man to take control won’t work, and besides, they won’t be him. They won’t be the same, do the same as he did. I don’t want an insensitive bully, an egocentric idiot, or a selfish bastard. Been there, done that. I want him.”
“You’ll find someone else who’ll want you the way you are, without stripping you naked and tying you up,” Stacy elbows me in the ribs, “...which is a good thing.”
“They won’t have that special something Bryce has hiding behind those pale-green eyes. He sounds harsh, but he’s soft. They won’t make me fearful and lustful in equal measure, they won’t know me like he did instantly, and they won’t wrap up their controlling demands in simple compassion.”
I swoon.
Dammit.
Stop this nonsense.
Just then, my cell vibrates in my jacket pocket.
“Hello?”
“Amelia? Is this you?”
“Yes.” I get up and pace, glaring at a nonplussed Stacey. “Bryce?”
I would recognize that deep voice anywhere.
Stacey’s eyes almost pop out of her head, and she spills her coffee.
“Yes, it’s Bryce.”
His voice sends shivers through me.
Oh wow. He’s calling me.
“Did you enjoy yourself yesterday, Amelia?”
Are you kidding me?
“I thought I’d been clear, but yes, I did. And thanks for the ahem...bag.”
“The what? Oh yes.” He clears his throat. “I’m pleased you enjoyed yourself, because I did too. So, I’d like to invite you to come here again some time.”
My heart is in my mouth and my legs wobble thinking he wants to date me, even after selling myself like I did.
I’m speechless and so stunned, I sit on the damp spot and feel my sweatpants absorb the spilled coffee.
Stacey sits next to me with more of the brown stuff and hope glistening in her eyes. She whispers, “What’s he saying?”
I squeeze her hand while she frowns in pain, and I try to speak calmly past my need to squeal.
“Um...”
“I’m offering the same deal, of course,” Bryce states cold-bloodedly.
My heart falls to the ground and I want to stamp all over it.
“Oh, another deal.”
Stacey spills her coffee again, whispering, “Fuck. Another $100,000? You lucky...” and uses the same cloth to clean up another spillage, this time on the carpet.
“No!” I think and say in unison.
I will not be purchased like a Gucci dress.
“Why not?”
“I took the money once because I needed it, but I don’t need more. You helped me pay off all my debts and I have plenty left over for school. Who knows, one day I might earn a decent wage doing something I enjoy. I don’t want your money, or your deals.”
“Ah, I see...” Bryce sounds surprised. Dejected. “But you did say you enjoyed yourself?”
“I did, but I’m no whore.” He remains silent and I figure I’ll risk taking a shot before he leaves my life forever. “I’d love to spend time with you, Bryce, but not for money. Do you understand?”
Without hesitation, Bryce says, “Yes.” He’s holding back, but I sense his excitement when he adds, “How about dinner, tonight, at eight?”
“Excellent,” I say, my heart leaping so high I want to dance. “I’ll cook.”
“No need,” Bryce complains. “Let me take you out, show you off a bit.”
“You did all that last night. Besides, I came into a little cash recently and I’m just dying to spend some at the organic market. It smelled gorgeous earlier when I ran past it.”
He laughs softly. “Okay, if you insist. What will you cook, and what should I bring?”
“Let me surprise you.” Certain items spring to mind above all else. “And bring the red silk sashes.”
“Now you’re talking.” Bryce says with a much lower voice, “Can we make it at six?”
I’m so excited by the prospect of seeing him on my terms and by how excited he is. I think I might explode, but I keep my cool a little longer.
“No, you will be here
“You’ll find someone else who’ll want you the way you are, without stripping you naked and tying you up,” Stacy elbows me in the ribs, “...which is a good thing.”
“They won’t have that special something Bryce has hiding behind those pale-green eyes. He sounds harsh, but he’s soft. They won’t make me fearful and lustful in equal measure, they won’t know me like he did instantly, and they won’t wrap up their controlling demands in simple compassion.”
I swoon.
Dammit.
Stop this nonsense.
Just then, my cell vibrates in my jacket pocket.
“Hello?”
“Amelia? Is this you?”
“Yes.” I get up and pace, glaring at a nonplussed Stacey. “Bryce?”
I would recognize that deep voice anywhere.
Stacey’s eyes almost pop out of her head, and she spills her coffee.
“Yes, it’s Bryce.”
His voice sends shivers through me.
Oh wow. He’s calling me.
“Did you enjoy yourself yesterday, Amelia?”
Are you kidding me?
“I thought I’d been clear, but yes, I did. And thanks for the ahem...bag.”
“The what? Oh yes.” He clears his throat. “I’m pleased you enjoyed yourself, because I did too. So, I’d like to invite you to come here again some time.”
My heart is in my mouth and my legs wobble thinking he wants to date me, even after selling myself like I did.
I’m speechless and so stunned, I sit on the damp spot and feel my sweatpants absorb the spilled coffee.
Stacey sits next to me with more of the brown stuff and hope glistening in her eyes. She whispers, “What’s he saying?”
I squeeze her hand while she frowns in pain, and I try to speak calmly past my need to squeal.
“Um...”
“I’m offering the same deal, of course,” Bryce states cold-bloodedly.
My heart falls to the ground and I want to stamp all over it.
“Oh, another deal.”
Stacey spills her coffee again, whispering, “Fuck. Another $100,000? You lucky...” and uses the same cloth to clean up another spillage, this time on the carpet.
“No!” I think and say in unison.
I will not be purchased like a Gucci dress.
“Why not?”
“I took the money once because I needed it, but I don’t need more. You helped me pay off all my debts and I have plenty left over for school. Who knows, one day I might earn a decent wage doing something I enjoy. I don’t want your money, or your deals.”
“Ah, I see...” Bryce sounds surprised. Dejected. “But you did say you enjoyed yourself?”
“I did, but I’m no whore.” He remains silent and I figure I’ll risk taking a shot before he leaves my life forever. “I’d love to spend time with you, Bryce, but not for money. Do you understand?”
Without hesitation, Bryce says, “Yes.” He’s holding back, but I sense his excitement when he adds, “How about dinner, tonight, at eight?”
“Excellent,” I say, my heart leaping so high I want to dance. “I’ll cook.”
“No need,” Bryce complains. “Let me take you out, show you off a bit.”
“You did all that last night. Besides, I came into a little cash recently and I’m just dying to spend some at the organic market. It smelled gorgeous earlier when I ran past it.”
He laughs softly. “Okay, if you insist. What will you cook, and what should I bring?”
“Let me surprise you.” Certain items spring to mind above all else. “And bring the red silk sashes.”
“Now you’re talking.” Bryce says with a much lower voice, “Can we make it at six?”
I’m so excited by the prospect of seeing him on my terms and by how excited he is. I think I might explode, but I keep my cool a little longer.
“No, you will be here
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