Read Online Wicked Intentions by Linda Verji - Free Book Online Page A

she’d been in prison; she didn’t need to make him even more suspicious of her. As much as she wanted to avoid any contact, not talking him was also not an option. Shakira liked to handle her responsibilities. She dialed his number just as the elevator came to a grinding halt and its steel doors opened up.
    He picked up on the third ring. “We need to talk.”
    Had he read her mind? Thrown, Shakira could only say, “Okay,” as she stepped into the elevator.
    “Let me take you to lunch,” he suggested. They needed to talk - but lunch? Before she could protest he added, “Where are you? I can pick you up.”
    “No, no. You don’t need to,” she protested. The elevator stopped at level five picking up two more people. She suggested to Nathan, “Let me meet you.”
    “Is 44 Club okay?” he asked, naming a restaurant Shakira had only seen but never been to.
    “That’s okay,” she acquiesced. “I’m close to it so I’ll just wait for you.”
    She stopped at the ATM and withdrew the rest of her money – just in case the government got any more ideas. Tucking one thousand dollars into one envelope and then the remaining two hundred into her wallet next to the balance left over from Saturday’s withdrawal, she headed to the restaurant.
    Sleek luxury cars stopped in front of the building that housed 44 Club dropping off expensively clad businessmen and women. As soon as she stepped into the restaurant, Shakira realized exactly why she’d never been there. 44 Club was not a place you came to eat. It was a place you came to throw away money.
    The smell of exotic food and money mingled to create an intoxicating scent that seeped into her blood and welcomed her into the large airy space. The warm shades of the red and white décor embraced her as did the soft instrumental music playing in the background in accompaniment to the quiet conversations of its exclusive clientele.
    Shakira was so glad she’d chosen to dress up today. Armored in her silk blouse, pencil skirt and red-bottom heels, she felt like she almost belonged. A smiling server in a snow white shirt and pants met her at the entrance. “Welcome to 44 Club .”
    He led her past several linen clad tables arranged artfully across the expanse of the restaurant and occupied by other clients. Oh my God, is that Pierce Brosnan? Shakira quickly tapped down on the immediate thrill and forced her gaze back to the server. This was not the place to fan-girl. He guided her to an open table and placed a menu in front of her before leaving her to make her choice.
    So exclusive was 44 Club that the menu didn’t even come with prices.
    “How much is a glass of juice?” Shakira asked the server when he came back for her order. She almost had an aneurism when he stated the price. “I’ll have water. A small water!”
    Taking advantage of her first free minutes of the day and the free wi-fi, she opened her laptop and logged into her account with one of her favorite freelancer online marketplaces. Even when she was working at McPherson’s, she’d always had a back up plan in case things went south. She’d kept her freelancer account active by taking smaller accounting jobs over the weekend. Now that she was jobless, she’d need to take larger jobs until she found something offline.
    She was engrossed in her applications when she felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand up. Startled, she lifted her head only to see him making his way towards her. The thrill of awareness was immediate as was the perking up of her body. All her senses came alive. Her pulse began to beat a faster rhythm, her nipples perked up and inner thighs moistened almost as if in readiness for him.
    She was wrong.
    One night had definitely not been enough to soothe her hormones.
    They’d just reserved all their actions for one man.
    Nathan.
    She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She’d seen him naked, half-naked, in casual clothes - yet her response to him in a suit was just as strong.