Beneath the Silk Read Online Free PDF Page B

red?”
    Lavina took a wild swing at her son and missed. “What would a woman my age do with silk drawers?”
    Jackson leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek, then whispered. “Give Charlie a thrill. It’s his birthday next month, right?” As he headed for the door, he tossed over his shoulder, “Maybe a better present would be saying yes next time he asks you to marry him.”

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    Chapter 3
    « ^ »
    A strange feeling raised the hair on the back of Sunni’s neck. It was as if she and Joey had chased a thief out the back door as they had come through the front door.
    But that was impossible. She was just spooked, is all. And the blame rested squarely on Rambo’s broad shoulders—that wicked grin he’d flashed her a second before he’d walked away from their table had gotten her so flustered her imagination was playing tricks on her.
    Sunni shoved the green-eyed demon from her thoughts and concentrated on getting Joey Masado out of her apartment as soon as possible. She said, “You wanted to talk privately. So talk.”
    “Who’s your decorator?”
    She glanced toward her dinner date and found him standing in the middle of her living room studying her taste in decor. “Me.” As a good host, she was forced to ask, “Would you care for something to drink? Beer? Wine? Something stronger?”
    “Beer would be fine. I like all the color.”
    The Crown Plaza was an upscale apartment complex, but the sterility of white walls and white carpets had driven Sunni on a quest to bring a touch of warmth into her home. She loved bold colors, especially red, and had painted the living room raspberry red, and her kitchen and small dining room, a shade lighter.
    A sculptured glass coffee table separated a pair of mustard-yellow leather sofas. Wing chairs in raspberry-and-green-rose-patterned tapestry were used as accents. A number of expensive Tiffany lamps also expressed Sunni’s love for color—her favorite a one-of-a-kind Calafar with a giant red-and-amber shade that stood behind one of the sofas. A built-in bookshelf hinted that Sunni’s interest in roses was more than just casual—her book collection was as extensive as the fragrant collection she had in her greenhouse.
    A dozen damask and silk pillows scattered throughout the living room gave the space a female-shrine feeling, as did the bone china in her kitchen cupboards, and the fresh-cut roses in colorful vases that could be found in every room—even the bathroom.
    “Maybe I should have you make a few suggestions for brightening up my suite at Masado Towers.”
    He turned and Sunni was surprised to find him smiling. The spare expression softened his dramatic good looks and made him appear more human. She rounded the island counter and took one step up to enter the kitchen. As she retrieved the requested beer, she said, “I’m sure you can find someone far more qualified.”
    Beer in hand, she turned around, knowing that he had followed her into the kitchen. She handed him the beverage, avoiding his warm brown eyes, and headed back into the living room.
    “Are you afraid of me?”
    She would be a fool to admit it, but she wouldn’t lie. Sunni leveled him a look from behind one of the leather sofas. “You said you had something to discuss with me.”
    “First let me say that I’m not here to force myself on you. So relax. You’re beautiful, and I’m sure a night in your bed would be memorable, but I never mix business with pleasure. Tonight is business.”
    Sunni raised her chin. “Then state your business.”
    “I know about the deal Milo proposed to you several weeks ago.”
    He knew about the partnership. How?
    Suddenly the room felt too warm. Sunni rounded the sofa and headed for the sliding glass door. She brushed aside the sheer curtain to unlock it, but it was already open. Momentarily surprised, she reminded herself of the fresh roses she’d cut that morning in the greenhouse. She must have forgotten to relock it … again.
    “Tomas knew