Asking for Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page B

her head drop forward against the door with a thud . Obviously she wasn’t looking quite as forward to seeing this Stuart. Who was the guy, anyway? Probably some rich asshole with a bank account that could sink an oil tanker. He felt a flash of annoyance over having used even an ounce of brainpower to think about Stuart . Or whether or not he’d ever taken Hayden out on a date. Or whether Stuart had ever been treated to Hayden’s Freaktastic Peep Show.
    “I think it’s just a twenty-four-hour bug.” Cough. “I should be fine by tomorrow.”
    “Drink plenty of fluids and rest. I’ll come by in the morning.” A loud sigh. “I hope this isn’t just another ploy to avoid the poor man, Hayden. He’s very successful, you know. You’re very lucky he’s interested in you.”
    Brent’s eyebrows rose at that backhanded insult, but Hayden couldn’t see him. Her spine had stiffened, no doubt mortified over him overhearing this private conversation. He couldn’t blame her. They tended to use every ounce of ammunition at their disposal against each other. She likely assumed this would be no exception. Then and there, Brent decided he wouldn’t use this particular bit of ammo, ever. He didn’t, however, intend to explore the why behind his decision. Only knew that it wouldn’t feel honorable.
    “Lucky. Huh.” She smoothed a hand over her hair in a familiar gesture. Right in front of his eyes, he watched her transform back into the ice princess. Her back straightened, she tucked her hair neatly behind her ears and crossed her arms over her breasts. “See you in the morning, Mother. Sleep well.”
    “Good night, Hayden. No alcohol tonight. It makes your face puffy.” Hayden didn’t respond as Brent listened to the sound of her mother’s heels clicking down the front steps. She snatched her bra off the ground in front of him and put it on, her motions jerky. Next came the shirt. Bye-bye tatas.
    When she’d finished dressing, she pierced him with a look. “What? No comments from the peanut gallery? You’ve gone thirty seconds without shooting your mouth off. It’s got to be some kind of record. Shall I call Guinness?”
    Clearly, she needed a fight. Something to take her mind off the conversation with her mother. In his current state, he was all too happy to give it to her. “Maybe you should call a goddamn shrink, instead. You’ve got me handcuffed here with my family jewels hanging out, in case you somehow forgot. And you think you have any grounds to be pissed off? If I recall correctly, one of us had a screaming orgasm and it sure as shit wasn’t me.”
    Her face reddened, probably matching his own. Her mother had upset her, then he’d finished the job by completely knocking the wind out her sails. Why he suddenly gave two shits about her mood, he couldn’t decide.
    He cleared his throat. “Listen, Hayden—”
    She held up a finger to quiet him. “Hold on. I just had an idea.”
    “Oh, really? Does it involve releasing me from unconstitutional imprisonment?”
    “No.” She pursed her lips. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
    “Why are you asking?”
    “You like dinner parties?”
    He threw his head back and laughed. “Me? Dressing up in a monkey suit and listening to your friends’ amusing stories about their latest tropical vacation? Not going to happen, duchess.”
    Hayden shrugged off his rejection. “Fine. Thought you might relish the chance to crash one of the stuffy, overblown snooze-fests you’re always teasing me about.” She smoothed her skirt again. “I guess eating your weight in caviar and dropping backhanded insults on a bunch of rich stiffs doesn’t appeal to you.”
    “Let’s pretend for a moment that did appeal to me. What would be in it for you?”
    “I get you as my bodyguard for the evening,” she replied simply.
    Brent’s smile disappeared. Something unpleasant moved in his chest. “Why the hell would you need a bodyguard?”
    Hayden waved off his serious