Read Online Seducing Avery by Barb Han - Free Book Online

level.
    Frozen, Avery looked to have lost all will to fight against the swell of need that rose and flushed her cheeks. When Ryker was satisfied his point was made, he brought his gaze to hers. A smirk curled the corners of his lips.
    Avery sighed.
    “Be ready in the morning,” he said, “and you will.”
    “Will what?”
    He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and strode away.
    ****
    Match point.
    Avery was left standing in the hall, feeling like a complete idiot. A shower helped to cool down her racing thoughts. It gave her enough calm to phone Alexandria.
    “I’ve been worried,” Alexandria said, not wasting time saying hello.
    “You have? Why?”
    “You know why. Has he?”
    “What, Alexandria? Touched me? Attacked me? No. Don’t be ridiculous.” Then came the lie, “I’m not even working directly with him.”
    “Then who?”
    “His staff, like I said,” she lied again. Why did she feel the need to deceive her mother? Nothing had actually happened between her and Ryker. Not really. Nothing would happen, either.
    “Be careful. You don’t know what a man like that is capable of.”
    “I will,” she conceded, knowing full well the impact of those words. Her laptop dinged, and she figured it was most likely Ryker’s guest list arriving in her Inbox.
    “Now tell me why he really dragged you halfway across the world.”
    “You can’t imagine how beautiful this place is, Alexandria. It’s beyond words.”
    “And the party?”
    “Is going to be amazing. If I can pull it off. I have little more than a week.”
    “You’ll do it. I have no doubt,” Alexandria said and her tone said she meant it.
    Naturally, she would have no idea the intense amount of work something like this involved. Avery had practically cut her teeth managing caterers by age eleven for her mother’s parties. “I hope so.”
    Alexandria laughed. “You won’t have to do it alone. My passport’s in order.”
    “What? You don’t think? You’re not expecting me to...you can’t come to his party.”
    “Why not?”
    “For starters, you don’t even know him . ”
    “I do now. We met the other day in your office, remember? And besides, you do. If you want me to quit worrying, you’ll just have to get me in so I can see for myself that you’re all right.”
    “I don’t even talk to him directly. How am I supposed to ask him if you can come to his party?” she lied for the third time. She didn’t like the lying, yet it felt like necessary evil.
    “Me and your sister. Don’t forget Bits. And tell him I’m worried about you. Besides, you’ll be there.”
    “Not as a guest. I’ll be here as an employee. Big difference.” Avery wanted to say she wouldn’t even stay for the party if she didn’t have to. Oh, but what good would it do to explain real life issues to Alexandria. She lived in a fairy tale world, where she only had to snap her fingers and men made things happen for her. Another one with lucky fingers.
    Besides, Avery was terrible at making sense out of an argument with Alexandria. But on this point, there was no give. “I won’t mix business with personal. Period.”
    Avery closed the call. She strolled into the kitchen and was met with expressions of shock. She figured most of Ryker’s guests didn’t usually go wandering around alone in the evening. She could guess what they were doing instead, but decided to block the image of him with another woman out of her mind completely.
    At first glance, it was easy to see who was in charge, and he was nothing like what she’d expect an executive chef to look like. His tattoos and red headband had her thinking he belonged on a modern-day pirate’s ship instead of in a billionaire’s kitchen. He wasn’t the least bit rigid or starched. In fact, he looked more like one of those weather-worn chefs that could be found on popular cooking shows with hateful hosts.
    “I’m Kyle.”
    “Your accent is—”
    “Australian, mate.” He held out his hand.
    Avery took