Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brewer Read Online Free PDF Page B

of Matt DeLeo was the most unsuitable potential life
     partner she’d ever encountered, apart from her abysmal ex, of course. And Matt DeLeo
     the super-wealthy brewery boss and genius entrepreneur was equally bad, just in a
     more respectable way. Irresponsible and full of himself. She was destined to spend
     the rest of her life alone—there was very little doubt about it—and all things considered,
     maybe that was for the best.
    She needed to keep their relationship on as much of a business footing as possible
     or things could get messy. Cold and ruthless was the way forward. “I guess we must
     have a schedule of events, appearances, that sort of thing leading up to the big launch
     day? When is that? And you said photo shoots. I have no idea what that involves.”
     She couldn’t help wrinkling her nose before finishing with, “apart from lots of lovely
     pink beer.”
    “On that day, I have a huge event at the town hall planned out. The mayor is all for
     it, and he’s even agreed to wear a pink PCB-issue vest for the proceedings.”
    She couldn’t suppress a little smile after hearing that piece of information. “Yeah,
     I can see Mayor Cobbett really going for something that tacky. And alcoholic…”
    “He has a lot of contacts and they’ll all be there buying and drinking and being persuaded
     to tell their friends. Hopefully, if they drink enough, they’ll also be tempted to
     put pressure on their corporate entertainment departments to order with us. If I get
     things right, word about PCB being a totally amazing love elixir will go viral. I’m
     considering adding a Twitter hashtag to the campaign as well. Get the trendy demographic
     interested.”
    “Not worried about the Puritans?”
    He shook his head. “Advertising and promoting alcohol is still legal and long may
     it stay that way. Besides, there’s evidence to suggest responsible drinking is actually
     good for you. And, let’s face it, you can go into a store and buy cannabis legally
     in Colorado these days. Beer is pretty tame in comparison.”
    She raised an eyebrow and he matched her.
    “Looks good,” she murmured as the bartender began to unload a stack of tiny dishes
     on to the table in front of them.
    “Today’s specials.” The bartender grinned. He clearly enjoyed this part of his job.
     “Fire-roasted piquillo peppers stuffed with fresh goat cheese and rosemary, seared
     sea scallops with crispy jamón, lemon aioli, and flash-fried arugula, charcuteria, patatas bravas, and my personal favorite, carne de cerdo , ribs with a pineapple brandy sauce served with crispy fried onions.”
    “Good grief,” Piper muttered. “Your chef is a genius.”
    “I hope you’re hungry,” he said with a laugh and then switched his attention to Matt.
     “I’ll be right back with the blood orange sangria you ordered at the bar, sir.”
    The warm red wine on her empty stomach was taking hold quickly. She hadn’t had time
     for breakfast, but it looked like lunch was going to make up for it. She picked up
     a pepper by the stalk, bit into its juicy, salty filling, and savored the tang of
     the herby cheese before launching into her best small talk. “I’ve never had lobster,
     way too expensive. What’s it like?”
    His dark eyebrows lifted. “Like a big shrimp, but chewier, not as sweet. Big, fat
     shrimps are nicer in my opinion.”
    Piper bit down on a scallop. “So why the ‘I’ll have the lobster’ thing?”
    “Because I’d never tasted it before I made it as a somebody. I order it because I can .”
    “But you prefer shrimp?”
    “I prefer burgers, actually. With processed cheese and sweet pickles.”
    She stared down at the spread of dishes between them. “Comfort food.”
    “I guess.”
    “My mom’s roast chicken is the best for that.”
    He chewed for a moment, looking at her intently. “My mom isn’t much of a cook.”
    “A mom that doesn’t cook the best food ever? Not natural.”
    He shrugged. “You