Read Online Seducing Avery by Barb Han - Free Book Online Page A

it and introduced herself.
    “You’re American.” It was more statement than question.
    “Most of my childhood was spent in Houston. We moved to New York when I was in high school,” Avery supplied.
    “Spent some time in New York. Liked it enough. But, Texans…” He smiled. “Now they understand Australians.” He rocked his head.
    “Renegade spirit,” she said.
    His wide smile said he agreed.
    “I can see you’re busy. I just wanted to stop down and introduce myself before I turn in,” she said.
    Satisfied if she needed to ask for help it wouldn’t feel so out of the blue now, she made her way back down the long hallway and settled in with her laptop. Invitations had to be sent out so plans could be finalized.
    She thought about the kind of friends a man like Ryker would have and curiosity had her quickly opening the document he’d sent. She scanned it for recognizable names. The list read like a Who’s Who of the young and fabulous. And she’d never felt more intimidated. Thank God, she was simply planning the party and could disappear into the background once it started.
    Parties like this made her evermore pleased that the fabulous rarely ever wandered into the kitchen where the help hung out. And even with her family background she felt more comfortable there than with the beautiful people in the front room.
    Once the invite had gone out, she closed her laptop but couldn’t stop her mind from wondering how many of the women on the list Ryker had dated. Or slept with.
    Avery, you’re tired. Go to sleep .

Chapter Seven
    The next morning, a note taped to Avery’s door read: Wear long pants over your swimsuit.
    Long pants? Why on earth would she need long pants at the beach?
    She didn’t have the energy to search Ryker out to put up a proper argument, so she dug around for a pair of jeans and light summer shirt.
    Besides, his plans were irrelevant. She had plans of her own that involved rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. Seven days until the big event. And she was nowhere near ready.
    Quickly, she sought out a swimsuit and dressed.
    Ryker’s timing was near perfect, arriving at her door as she finished zipping her jeans. “Let’s go,” he said, and his masculine voice caused her heart to stutter.
    “Go where?” she asked catching her breath, almost afraid to know the answer. After all, with Ryker she couldn’t be sure what would happen next, except for the guarantee that she’d struggle against her emotions the entire time he was around. He made life as difficult as possible for her in that regard. “You realize I have a ton of work to do, and you haven’t exactly given me much time.”
    He stood at the door, grinning his sexy little crooked grin, his heft blanketing the frame as he folded his arms in determination. “If I have to come in there to get you, we’re not leaving anytime soon. Unleash that, and you’ll never get around to getting your work done.”
    Something Avery couldn’t easily identify flashed across Ryker’s expression. Maybe her imagination ran wild, but she knew one thing for certain…he meant those words.
    Avery stood. The last thing she needed was for her emotions to sprint out of control again, and being with him had a way of doing absolutely that.
    Allow him inside the bedroom and she had no doubt about what would happen. What she wanted too.
    She scooted into the hallway.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asked as she followed him out the door, remembering all those A-list actresses and socialites he spent time with...his intimidating list of so-called friends.
    “And ruin the surprise?”
    “I’m not a fan of the unknown. Besides, the invites have gone out. No going back now,” Avery protested for the second time.
    “So I saw. I like them. Nice work. You’ve earned some time off to celebrate a job well done.”
    Avery’s lips pursed, and she shook her head. “No. I haven’t even begun. There’s so much to do.”
    He tugged at her hand.