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

“For instance?”
    “The theme. We still haven’t discussed the theme. And I only have seven days to coordinate theme and nail down the menu. Not to mention order and ship in supplies.”
    Ryker led her into the kitchen, where his staff stopped their work and trained their gazes on them as they entered the room. To be so noticed by everyone by simply walking into a room—she certainly felt like a princess when she was with Ryker. Not that she grew up the kind of girl who pranced around the living room with a tiara on. That little number had been saved for Bits. Avery had been busy taking care of herself. Studying. And making sure she was nothing like her perfect and beautiful baby sister.
    The attention, when directed at her, usually made her want to shrink.
    “I introduced myself last night,” Avery said. “Good morning, Kyle.”
    Ryker looked momentarily impressed. “Well, you might’ve learned a few names, but you’ve no idea what this group is capable of.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Allow me. Kyle can get anything you want from anywhere with a day’s notice. The man is magic.”
    “I believe it. I do. But seriously, for a hundred people—that takes more than a phone call,” she insisted.
    “What he can do for one, he can do for a thousand. Right, Kyle?”
    Kyle inclined his chin. “Right you are, Chief.” Forget that he didn’t wear the clothing of an employee. And Ryker hadn’t treated him like one, either. Kyle ran his own kitchen. His respect for his boss was evident.
    “It’s good to see you again,” Avery said. She truly appreciated that he’d been genuine and kind to her when she’d all but intruded on his kitchen last night and imposed herself on him.
    “Well, then, now that you see what good hands you’re in. You can come away with me today,” Ryker said.
    “Oh, but I can’t.” Avery shook her head.
    Kyle grinned and then winked. “It’s no use arguing with the boss. Better take this with you as well. You’ll get hungry.” He held out what looked to be an overstuffed picnic basket.
    Ryker tucked it under his arm with a smile.
    Avery didn’t know what to make of all this except she felt ganged up on. “No fair.”
    “He’s persistent, this one,” Kyle continued. “He’ll not take no for an answer. But rest assured, whatever you need, I can get it. It’s a phone call away.”
    “Well then. Since I have no choice here. I’ll agree. But—”
    “And there’s always a but, isn’t there?” Ryker said, his tone now surprisingly light.
    “We have to talk a little shop.”
    Kyle laughed out loud. “When you take her to the Point, see if she still wants to talk shop then.”
    The Point. Avery was certain it would be the perfect spot for seduction. The picnic basket, the Point—all of it looked rehearsed, as though this were simple routine to them. Probably because Ryker had seduced hundreds, no thousands, of women there with this same picnic basket tucked under his masculine arm. Not that a man like him would need a special place. She had to admit to being surprised that he needed any sort of seduction routine at all.
    “Where are we going exactly?”
    He smiled one of his sexy trademark smiles, took her hand, and then led her outside to his motor bike.
    On the motorcycle, she held onto him, looping her arms around his waist. She leaned into his broad, strong back. The sun was just coming up; the cover of nightfall that had blanketed the island lifted like a curtain to reveal the true beauty of the place. And it was breathtaking.
    They wound down a long path and stopped at a lighthouse. It was white, looked to have a fresh coat of paint, and had a red stripe that corkscrewed up from the bottom until it circled the top where the light was. He opened the solid wood door and instructed Avery to follow him.
    The heavy door creaked and groaned.
    “This thing’s survived the test of time. Pretty solid. Held off more than a few invaders.”
    He stood at the door, watching as