Read Online Slap Shot by Rhonda Laurel - Free Book Online

wouldn’t take no for an answer. She offered him a seat, but he opted to sit on the edge of her desk instead, so shestood. The man was maddening.
    “How’s Phoebe?” she asked sweetly. “Did she take you back?”
    “I wasn’t with Phoebe.” He gave her a quizzical look. “I went to Portland to visit my brother and his kids.”
    “Oh.” She bit her lip.
    “I learned my lesson with her.”
    “And what was the lesson?”
    “I’m done with crazy actresses.” He grinned. “I think it’s time I broaden my horizons.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Just what the world needs. You casting a wider net on the unsuspecting female population.”
    “What I need,” he said, standing and moving closer to her, “is for you to accept the gifts. It would really mean a lot to me.”
    “I already told you why I can’t.”
    “What can I do to sweeten the deal?”
    Derek put his hands on her shoulders. She didn’t know ifhe was aware of it or not, but he was stroking her collarbone with his thumbs. How was she supposed to keep her self-righteous stance when he was pulling some kind of pied piper move on her? Because right now she felt like she’d follow him into oblivion. She moved out of his grasp.
    “I appreciate the gesture. Truly I do. But I’m trying to kick some bad habits and one of them is costly luxuryitems.”
    “OK. Let’s compromise. I’ll relent if you take this.” He handed her the small gift bag.
    “What is it?”
    “Open it and find out.”
    She reached into the bag and found a beautiful turquoise, soft-covered leather journal. “It’s lovely.”
    “Maybe you could jot down your thoughts or draw a turkey or something.” He shrugged.
    “OK.” She smiled. “I will accept this one gift.”
    “And.” He flashed her a big smile. “You have to attend my agent Luke’s party with me on Friday.”
    “You are unbelievable. I think you took too many hits on the ice.” She marched around her desk and plopped down in her chair.
    “Come to the party with me. I promise you’ll have a good time.”
    “Luke’s parties are star-studded events. I’m bound to run into people I wouldrather avoid.”
    “So what? I’ll be brave if you will.”
    “Am I going to get the hard sell until I agree to go with you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Has anyone ever said no to you?”
    “Yes. My high school music teacher. She made a great case as to why she wouldn’t date me my senior year.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I promise you’ll have a good time.”
    “We’re likely to be photographed.”She shook her head.
    “And?”
    “You’ll be flaring up rumors again.”
    “I don’t live my life according to the public’s perception of me. You should try it.”
    She knew he was baiting her, but it had been so long since she’d been out of the house. Her new modest budget didn’t allow for buying fancy clothes and partying. Not that she had many people left to party with these days.But she loved getting dressed up and dancing. She could normally put up a good defense to most men’s charms, but she softened when she was around Derek. That smile of his was the reason she’d stayed and had a working lunch with him after the bad scene with Phoebe.
    If they were seen in public together, the rumor mill was liable to fire back up. Paparazzi were sure to be near a party wherea bunch of wealthy athletes were attending. But he didn’t seem bothered by it. So perhaps she should take a chance too.
    “OK. I’ll go with you.”
    “Great. What time would you like me to pick you up?”
    Oh no. If Derek picked her up, he’d discover where she lived. Moving in with her grandmother after returning the keys to Lamont’s condo was still a sore spot for her.
    “How aboutI meet you at the Slap Shot?”
    Derek gave her a strange look. “It’s no problem to pick you up at your place.”
    “I’ll already be in the city. I’ll just bring a change of clothes to work with me.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yes. While you’re here,