Read Online The Publicist Book One and Two by Christina George - Free Book Online Page B

Now.”
    Obediently, Kate reached in her purse and handed it to him. She hesitated for a moment and almost pulled back, but Mac wrapped his hand around hers.
    “Hand it over, Katie. I promise I won’t read all the emails you get from your dozens of boyfriends.”
    “I don’t have—” Kate started and then caught herself. She knew better than to talk to Mac about her boyfriends, or lack thereof. A conversation like that wasn’t a good idea, especially with someone as disarming as Mac.
    “What are you going to do with it?” she finally asked.
    Mac didn’t answer, but handed the phone to the driver. “When we stop, I need you to lock this in the trunk, and don’t give it back to the lady until we’re headed home.”
    “Yes, Sir.” The driver said obediently.
    Mac turned off the phone and handed it him, but not before locking the device. He knew Kate had a lot of media emails on there, and better safe than sorry.
    “I am going to take you out, Kate, and we’re going to have a great time. I don’t want you checking that damned thing all night like you usually do.”
    “Mac, really, this isn’t necessary. Besides, I can only stay for one drink.”
    Mac only smiled as they pulled up in front of the bar.
    Carson’s was one of Mac’s favorite places in the city. It was small and unpretentious. They got out and Mac led her inside; it was dark and intimate. He selected a booth in the corner and immediately ordered their drinks.
    “Unless you’ve changed your drink preference?” he smiled, but Kate just nodded.
    As much as she hated to admit it, she needed this night. Even more to her chagrin, she admitted that there wasn’t anyone else she’d rather be with right now than Mac. She tried to convince herself that it was because he understood the kind of day she’d had and what she had to tolerate with these authors, as well as the pressure she was under, but in her heart Kate knew better. She was getting into dangerous territory. Now with a book as big as The Continued Promise , she needed to keep her hormones—and everything else for that matter—in check.
    “So tell me straight, Kate. Why are you here with me and not out with some hot guy?” Mac sipped on his beer. It was the first time Kate had seen him drink anything other than a martini.
    “Well, mostly because you were the first one to ask.”
    “I find that hard to believe.”
    “Mac, I don’t think this is a good conversation for us to have. I mean, how would you feel if I asked you why you’re not home with your wife on a Friday night?”
    “Touché, Katie,” Mac said, his face suddenly grim.
    “Mac, can I ask you a question?”
    “Sure, but I can’t guarantee I will be able to answer it.”
    “Fair enough. So, why don’t we ever see Carolyn at the office or at company functions?”
    Mac studied his glass. It was a reasonable question, and one he’d been asked more than a time or two.
    “She doesn’t like the New York scene,” he said finally. “She’d rather stay at home than sit at some stuffy party. I can’t really blame her. I don’t care for them much either.”
    “Well, neither do I, but doesn’t Edward get on you about showing up spouseless?”
    “All the time,” Mac rolled his eyes. “He doesn’t like it that I don’t seem to have support at home to do my job. He says it shows weakness, but then we both know Ed’s full of shit most of the time.”
    “Why do you keep an apartment in the city, Mac?”
    “Whoa, Katie, my dear. What’s with all the questions?”
    Mac was right. What the hell was she doing? Two glasses of champagne and half a Cosmo had gone straight to her head. She needed to rein it in.
    “Sorry, you’re right. It’s none of my business.”
    Mac’s eyes softened as he looked at Kate. For the first time in a long time, he wished he were single and able to scoop her up and carry her out of this bar and home to his bed. The carnal urge overtook him suddenly, and he fought it off with every ounce