Read Online Take Me (Power Play #1) by Kelly Harper - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kelly Harper
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twists into an even tighter knot. Declan is a sharp businessman, and he’s quick to pick up on things. He may not know exactly what doesn’t feel right about the situation, but he knows that there’s something more going on than what’s on the surface.
I rest my hand on his forearm. I want to reassure him, but I instantly feel him tense beneath my touch.
“Don’t worry, I can do this.” I give him a soft smile. “It’s just dinner while I answer whatever questions he has. I spent my whole life watching Daddy handle guys like him, it’ll be a walk in the park.”
Declan studies me for a second. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he considers probably a million different things that I haven’t even thought of. His blue eyes are tense.
“I still don’t like it. I don’t like the thought of someone demanding dinner with you. It isn’t right. It isn’t professional.”
I try to hide my wince. Declan lives in such a black and white, compartmentalized world. If he knew the half of what Isaac and I had already done he’d probably fly off the handle. He could be like that when it came to me—overprotective and irrational.
“We need this,” I said, giving him a serious look.
The muscles in his jaw tense and flex as he grits his teeth. He considers it for another few long moments before he gives me a tight smile.
“You’re right,” he says. His features soften a little and his mouth parts into a proud smile. “You really do have your father in you, don’t you?”
My smile widens as my pulse races. His words mean more to me than he probably realizes.
“So it’s settled then?” Isaac asks from across the room. His eyes narrow, locked on my hand touching Declan.
I instantly snap it back, feeling both ashamed that he saw it and ashamed that I even feel bad about it at all. I straighten myself and lift my chin, trying to appear much larger than my tiny frame actually is.
“We can discuss the details of the deal over dinner,” I confirm.
That smooth, cocky smile returns as he shifts to face me squarely.
“Dinner at eight, then? I’ll pick you up at your place.”
I can’t help but notice Declan’s body tense next to me when Isaac mentions coming over to my place.
“Seven,” I counter, quickly. “And we will meet at Cafe Soleil. No need for you to go out of your way.”
It’s the first restaurant I can think of, I only hope it’s still open and that I haven’t just made a fool of myself. I want it to be clear that we’re not going on a date or anything that can be confused for one.
Isaac’s grin widens as he studies me for a moment. Then he nods.
“Seven it is. It’s a date.”
“It’s dinner!” I snap.
“Of course. That’s what I said isn’t it?”
He gives me one more secretive smirk before he turns and leaves, both of his cronies following closely behind him.
How is it possible for one man to be so damned infuriating?
Chapter 16
“So you’re going on a date with the guy?”
Tawny fixes me with a confused look as she hefts her backpack over her shoulder. Her curly, blonde hair is cut short and pulled back into a ponytail, and her thin blue eyes give me a curious look.
“It’s not a date!” I insist. “It’s a business dinner. A totally professional business dinner.”
She frowns at me.
“A totally professional business dinner with the guy you brought home from the bar and had sex with last night?”
My face scrunches up as I let out a groan. “And once again this morning.” Her eyes widen and I feel like she’s looking straight through me. “And maybe once again in the bathroom at the office.”
Her jaw drops open, mimicking her bulging eyes. She stares at me for a long moment before she recovers herself enough to say something intelligible.
“Sounds like a date to me.” I let out another groan, and she giggles. “Don’t worry, though. This time I’m prepared with my headphones, just in case you and the Sexy Brit end up back
I rest my hand on his forearm. I want to reassure him, but I instantly feel him tense beneath my touch.
“Don’t worry, I can do this.” I give him a soft smile. “It’s just dinner while I answer whatever questions he has. I spent my whole life watching Daddy handle guys like him, it’ll be a walk in the park.”
Declan studies me for a second. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he considers probably a million different things that I haven’t even thought of. His blue eyes are tense.
“I still don’t like it. I don’t like the thought of someone demanding dinner with you. It isn’t right. It isn’t professional.”
I try to hide my wince. Declan lives in such a black and white, compartmentalized world. If he knew the half of what Isaac and I had already done he’d probably fly off the handle. He could be like that when it came to me—overprotective and irrational.
“We need this,” I said, giving him a serious look.
The muscles in his jaw tense and flex as he grits his teeth. He considers it for another few long moments before he gives me a tight smile.
“You’re right,” he says. His features soften a little and his mouth parts into a proud smile. “You really do have your father in you, don’t you?”
My smile widens as my pulse races. His words mean more to me than he probably realizes.
“So it’s settled then?” Isaac asks from across the room. His eyes narrow, locked on my hand touching Declan.
I instantly snap it back, feeling both ashamed that he saw it and ashamed that I even feel bad about it at all. I straighten myself and lift my chin, trying to appear much larger than my tiny frame actually is.
“We can discuss the details of the deal over dinner,” I confirm.
That smooth, cocky smile returns as he shifts to face me squarely.
“Dinner at eight, then? I’ll pick you up at your place.”
I can’t help but notice Declan’s body tense next to me when Isaac mentions coming over to my place.
“Seven,” I counter, quickly. “And we will meet at Cafe Soleil. No need for you to go out of your way.”
It’s the first restaurant I can think of, I only hope it’s still open and that I haven’t just made a fool of myself. I want it to be clear that we’re not going on a date or anything that can be confused for one.
Isaac’s grin widens as he studies me for a moment. Then he nods.
“Seven it is. It’s a date.”
“It’s dinner!” I snap.
“Of course. That’s what I said isn’t it?”
He gives me one more secretive smirk before he turns and leaves, both of his cronies following closely behind him.
How is it possible for one man to be so damned infuriating?
Chapter 16
“So you’re going on a date with the guy?”
Tawny fixes me with a confused look as she hefts her backpack over her shoulder. Her curly, blonde hair is cut short and pulled back into a ponytail, and her thin blue eyes give me a curious look.
“It’s not a date!” I insist. “It’s a business dinner. A totally professional business dinner.”
She frowns at me.
“A totally professional business dinner with the guy you brought home from the bar and had sex with last night?”
My face scrunches up as I let out a groan. “And once again this morning.” Her eyes widen and I feel like she’s looking straight through me. “And maybe once again in the bathroom at the office.”
Her jaw drops open, mimicking her bulging eyes. She stares at me for a long moment before she recovers herself enough to say something intelligible.
“Sounds like a date to me.” I let out another groan, and she giggles. “Don’t worry, though. This time I’m prepared with my headphones, just in case you and the Sexy Brit end up back
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