Business and Pleasure Read Online Free PDF Page A

admirer.”
    “What the hell?” Nicki is the first to speak
in these situations, and tonight’s no exception.
    I’m sure I look dumbfounded. Who on Earth
would send over a four hundred dollar bottle of champagne? We all
glance around the room, trying to appear nonchalant, while the very
handsome waiter pours us each a glass of champagne, and then heads
back to the bar. We probably look like four crazy women, craning
our necks and staring at various men, but hey, it’s a pretty
unusual situation, and we’re all very curious.
    Finally, the crowd parts, and I hear Natalie
gasp. “Oh shit.”
    “What? What is it?” I try to see who she’s
spotted.
    Natalie nods toward the back of the room,
where there are more half-round, dark leather sofas like ours, and
I see him.
    Alexander Preston.
    “Elizabeth, do you think he’s the one who
sent the bottle?” Natalie asks.
    “I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to know, either.” If he did, I’ll have to say thanks, won’t I?
Maybe even go over there and talk to him? The thought makes my
heart race.
    “What the hell is going on, Lizzy?”
    I forgot I haven’t told Nicki anything about
Mr. Preston.
    “That man sitting over there in the back,
that’s the man who was trying to buy out my company. Natalie and I
think he may have been the one to send over the bottle of
champagne.”
    “Oh my God; are you serious?”
    “Yes, now stop staring, please.” If we stop
looking over there, maybe I won’t have to say anything to him.
    We turn and go back to our drinks. Becca has
already found a handsome man to talk to, so I assume she won’t need
a ride home. Gotta love college students; although, she won’t be a
college student much longer… Assuming she passes her finals. We are
getting a kick out of watching Becca flirt, and I forget about
Alexander’s presence, until I hear his familiar voice.
    “So, Ms. Hamilton, are these better
circumstances?”
    Oh, shit. What the hell do I say to
him ? Although the man tried to take over my company, there’s no
reason I can’t speak to him. I’m not so rude that I can ignore him
when he’s standing right there…even if I want to do so.
    “Elizabeth?”
    Ah, we’ve gone from Ms. Hamilton to
Elizabeth in the space of a few seconds. I realize I can’t pretend
he’s not there and turn.
    “Alexander. Hello.”
    I notice a smile tugging at his lips.
    “Ah, she speaks. I hope you are enjoying the
champagne?”
    “Yes, we are. Thank you. That was very
generous of you.” I tried to keep it short and sweet, but I had a
feeling he wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily.
    “Elizabeth, may we have a few minutes
alone?”
    I look at my friends, not sure what to say.
I can’t just ask them to leave, which means I’ll have to go
somewhere with him, and I really don’t want to do that. I turn to
tell him so, knowing he’ll think me rude, but Nicki places a hand
on my arm.
    “Why don’t you two sit here? Natalie and I
will go over and see what Becca is up to.” Nicki speaks up, saving
me from certain embarrassment.
    I sigh and give her a smile of thanks. Nicki
and Natalie excuse themselves, and Alexander sits down next to me.
The minute he is settled, my heart starts racing. What is it about
this man that makes my body go crazy?
    “So, are you celebrating tonight?”
    “Why, yes, I am.” I don’t look at him, but I
can feel him moving closer to me.
    “You know, it would have been great for your
company had you agreed to my proposal.”
    “Mr. Preston, with all due respect, I don’t
care. Hamilton Publishing is my company. I have built it from the
ground up. I am not just going to sign it over to some big shot CEO
to do with what he wishes. I am also very happy with my company the
way it is now. I don’t need your help.”
    I expect my vehement words to make him back
away, but instead, he moves even closer.
    “Alex.”
    “You were talking business. I usually don’t
use first names when talking business,