Read Online The Downfall of a Good Girl by Kimberly Lang - Free Book Online

red. At least the conversation had shaken her, too—if for different reasons.
    And
that
knowledge only made his situation worse.
    Vivi ignored him for the next few hours, and he returned the favor, refusing to pay any attention to what was going on in her camp until a couple of the Bon Argent board members showed up and waved them both over to inform them of some schedule changes. Vivi was polite and perky until the board members left and they were alone. Then her smile disappeared and she turned abruptly away.
    “Vivi—”
    She spun and cut him off. “I think it’s best if we don’t talk. Ever.”
    “What?”
    “Since you can’t carry on a civilized and mature conversation on appropriate topics, I’d prefer you not speak to me at all,” she said primly.
    Vivi was back up on her high horse. “Oh, really?”
    “Really.”
    “Are you this condescending to everyone or just to me?”
    Her jaw tightened. “I don’t know why we’re even attempting a conversation.”
    He was beginning to agree with her, but before he could say anything Vivi continued.
    “You know, I’m not one of your fans, or some reporter you can charm or seduce. I’m not interested, so it doesn’t work on me.”
    That was a slap to his ego. It was also a bald-faced lie, because she wouldn’t be so damned upset about it otherwise. “If I had been trying to seduce you, you’d know. The flying pigs would have been a dead giveaway.”
    Vivi’s lips all but disappeared as she bit back whatever she wanted to say. Finally, she pried them open again. “Is there an actual reason you stopped me? Or are you just being your usual annoying self?”
    “Silly me—I was just trying to be friendly.”
    “Wow. Your definition of friendly is…insane.”
    “And
you
need to look up the definitions of
civilized, mature
and
appropriate
. What’s gotten your panties all in a twist, anyway?”
    Damn it. I shouldn’t have brought up her panties
.
    The look on her face said she agreed—albeit for a different reason. “The condition of my panties is none of your concern.”
    That was the truth
. That reminder didn’t help shut down his imagination any, though. “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to loosen up some. Relax a little.”
    “You’re giving
me
advice?
You’re
supposed to be my role model for lifestyle choices?” With a laugh and a snort that could only be described as disdainful, she added, “Maybe you need to look up
irony
while you’ve got your dictionary out.”
    “I think I’m doing pretty well, thank you very damn much.”
    That eyebrow arched up and it infuriated him.
    “I can see where
you’d
think that.
My
goals, however, are a bit higher than just sex, drugs and rock and roll.”
    “Excuse me?”
    She thought for a moment. “No. There’s no excuse for you.”
    For the first time in his life Connor was speechless. Vivi took advantage of the moment, turning on her heel and walking away before he had a chance to gather his wits and rebut.
    Vivi could be cold and cutting, and he had no idea what had flipped the switch. He’d actually thought they were making good progress today toward some mutual tolerance.
    Boy, were you wrong
.
    This situation had just crossed into farce territory. He couldn’t stop thinking about the panties of a woman who’d just as soon shoot him as look at him. And, since he appreciated and returned the sentiment, the fact he couldn’t stop thinking about Vivi and her panties—and the possible lack thereof—was just insult to injury.
    This wasn’t a farce. It was a nightmare. The very definition of insanity.
    How many days left until Mardi Gras?

CHAPTER FIVE
    T HREE days later, Vivi was pretty sure she was up to facing Connor again. Well, she was ready to fake it, at least.
    Tonight was the Saints and Sinners jazz cruise, and the jazz cruise was corporate money night. Representatives from all the major donors would be there, supposedly to be wooed into opening up their checkbooks. In reality this