Business and Pleasure Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’m glad you came out with us.
See you Monday.”
    Now it’s just Nicki and I, which means I’m
about to get the third degree.
    “So…,” she begins, leaning in, “Are you
excited?”
    “Yes. No. Oh, hell, I don’t know…. I didn’t
mean to say yes. When he asked me, the answer just kind of slipped
out. I don’t know how I feel, really. I mean, he’s nice enough, and
he’s really good-looking, but this is the guy who wanted to buy me
out!”
    “Which happens all the time, in business.
And you do like him, right?” She has a full-blown smile on
her lips.
    “Yes, I like him. Probably too much.”
    “Wow! Our Lizzy, hot for a guy! How awesome
is that!”
    “Oh, c’mon, you act like I’ve never gone on
a date. But I’m glad you approve,” I say dryly. Suddenly, the
night’s events catch up with me, and I’m yawning behind my hand.
“You know what? I think I’m going to head home, too. I’m
exhausted.”
    “Okay. I’m going to hang around here for
another half hour or so. The bartender is hot.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. Have
fun.”
    “Always do.”
    She gives me a wink, and I get to my feet
and head for the door. Honestly, I’m not that tired. I’m actually
horny. After talking with Alex, I feel like I’m going a bit…insane.
I really need to get laid… before I go out with him tomorrow.
Otherwise, I’m not sure I can rely on myself to maintain control.
Once in the car, I pick up my cell and start texting. It’s a game
of first response wins, and at this point, I honestly don’t care
who that is.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Even though I don’t care who I end up with
tonight, there’s one person I know I don’t want…and that’s
Mark, so I decide not to text him. Tonight, I need raw,
no-strings-attached sex with someone for whom I have no
feelings…someone for whom I have no real fondness or attachment. As
luck will have it, Steve is the first to respond. Thank goodness.
He’s the most attractive of the three guys I contacted, a body
builder—lean and very muscular. His black hair and brown
eyes make my heart race, and above all—and most importantly—he’s
unattached. In the two years I’ve known Steve, he has never had a
relationship with anyone. He keeps saying he just hasn’t found the
right woman, but from my perspective, I think it’s more likely he’s
just enjoying all the time he’s spending with the wrong ones. Oh, well…I’m happy to be a wrong one, and I’m even happier
that he’s usually free to come see me. He texts me back almost
immediately.
    Wanna see me ? When ?
    I decide short, sweet, and to the point is
best. Yes . Now .
    I think that’s the end of it, until I hear
my phone go off again, indicating another incoming text
message.
    Is this a 911 situation , Ms.
Elizabeth ?
    He knows me well, I suppose. I grin as I
type in a reply.
    Yes . Now get over here .
    On my way .
    I have a feeling Becca will not crawl in
until the early hours of the morning, so I throw on a black,
button-down shirt but leave it completely open, pour myself a glass
of wine, and wait in the living room, where I stand at a window,
looking out over the city. Manhattan is so beautiful, a city you
can’t fully appreciate unless you experience it firsthand. What
other city is still jumping at two in the morning? Suddenly, I hear
the buzz from the intercom. Ah, my knight in shining armor has
arrived. I smile at the silly thought and go to buzz him in. I then
position myself in the foyer, striking a sexy pose. He barely has a
chance to knock before I throw open the door and greet him in all
my open-shirt-naked-glory.
    “Why, Elizabeth. I’ve never come in to see
you like this. What’s the occasion?”
    He’s looking good tonight, in his ripped
jeans and black t-shirt. Perfect, actually. My mouth starts
watering, and I grab his hand.
    “Don’t talk. Come on.”
    Thankfully, he does as I ask. He follows me
to my bedroom, no doubt watching my ass the entire time.
    Even in