Read Online Seducing the Playboy (A Hot Nights Series Book) (Entangled Brazen) by Amanda Usen - Free Book Online Page B

called.
    Roman ignored him. “Do we have a deal?”
    She nodded.
    “Good.” He smiled, and this time it wasn’t a fantasy. It was real, filling her with disbelief and glee.
    He let go of her hand. “Let’s keep it quiet, though. Gallaghers don’t fool around with their employees, and I’d prefer no one know I’m making an exception.”
    Max pounded again.
    “Hang on,” Roman called, gathering papers from the desk. “Fill these out and get them back to me when you have time. You’re going to be working your butt off, so I’m definitely paying you.”
    She took the tax forms and hugged them to her chest, not sure what to say. Thanks didn’t seem quite appropriate. “Uh…okay. Great.”
    “Jenna Cooper at a loss for words. This is one for the record books. I’m going to enjoy this even more than I thought.”
    She blinked, shaking off the odd trance that had come over her the minute he’d taken control. She could let him call the shots without being a doormat. “Can you give me a ballpark figure for this slow seduction, just so I can make sure my legs are shaved?”
    He flashed a blinding grin. “There’s my girl. I thought I’d lost you.”
    “No chance, pal. I’m in this to win it…or something like that. Are you going to answer my question?”
    He shrugged. “Work before play. We’ve got a menu to rewrite, a Vegas dessert to plan, and Cooper’s to sort out.” He reached behind her and grabbed her braid. She felt a steady pull and her head fell back, baring her throat. “You’ll just have to be patient.”
    The desire in his eyes was stark and heady. He bent his head, and she felt the wetness of his tongue then his sharp teeth against her neck. “Patience isn’t my strong suit, but I’ll give it my best shot.” Her voice was strained.
    Max rattled the doorknob.
    “Coming,” Roman called, staring down at her. He let go of her braid and winked. “Eventually.”
    He unlocked the door and opened it for her. She struggled to keep her expression blank as she walked past Max, feeling his gaze burn into her back as he followed her back to the line.
    “Seriously?” Max grumbled. “Nothing—not a word? That’s all I get for my pep talk?”
    She concentrated on dropping butter and brown sugar into the mixer bowl, remembering Roman’s second condition, but she couldn’t stop an enormous grin from spreading across her face.
    Max chuckled. “I told you so.”
    “I don’t know what you are talking about.” She turned on the mixer to drown out the sound of his laughter.
    The rest of the shift passed in a blur. She made ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, and hot chocolate. She served jam cakes warm from the oven, and pitched in to help Max and T-Bird when they got an unexpected rush of walk-ins. Roman stayed in the office and worked on the menu, popping up to the line every so often to bounce ideas off them. Once, he even went into the dining room to talk to the waiters and the diners. He’d definitely taken her downscaling idea and run with it. It sounded like the menu was getting a complete overhaul.
    At the end of service, she helped the guys close down the line, then went back to the office to say good night to Roman.
    “How have you been getting around town?” he asked.
    “Bus or taxi. I’m thinking about renting a car, though.”
    “I’ll take you home.”
    “Thanks.” The dynamic between them had changed. Instead of uncertainty, anticipation kept her on edge. She wanted to touch him, but she didn’t want to break her promise. Things between them would progress on his pace, whatever that was, and hopefully she wouldn’t die of frustration. Or kill him.
    He was silent as he led her out the side door of the now empty restaurant, and he didn’t say a word as they walked down the street to his house. Just when she thought she might explode from the strain of following his lead, he took her hand. Her tension eased. His hands were rough and strong, palms broad, fingers callused. Her