Chosen for Power (Women of Power, #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

were no girls at the skateboard park because girls couldn’t do it. It was a boy thing. Even at nine, I didn’t like being told that. I still don’t. So I locked him in his room, stole his skateboard, and ran to the park.
    “My brother, being a complete bad boy, knew how to unlock the door and was chasing close behind me. I made it to the big ramp before he could shout for me to stop. I looked at him, stuck out my tongue, and hopped on,” Elle said as she gave her head a little shake. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, she still did that today.  If they told her a woman couldn’t run a company like Simpson Global, then she'd jump in with her tongue sticking out until the company was a huge success. She didn’t like being told she couldn’t do anything simply because she was a woman.
    “And how did you do?”
    “I hung on for dear life but refused to scream. I nailed it. My brother was eating crow, but then as I was skating home with him I hit a rock and face-planted. That’s what this little scar on my chin is from.” Elle lifted her chin to show the scar and felt a jolt as he leaned forward and placed his warm lips on it.
    “It’s adorable.”
    “What’s your take on women skateboarders?” Elle asked a little breathlessly.
    “They’re hot. I like women who aren’t confined by the norms. They’re so much more exciting.”
    Elle breathed in sharply when he pulled her tightly against him, letting her feel just how excited he truly was.  Her pulse quickened and she closed her eyes when he leaned forward to place a feather-light kiss on her cheek.
    “I like women who are smart, compassionate, and have no problem asserting themselves.” He kissed his way up to her ear and Elle tightened her hold on his shoulder.
    “And sexy, of course," Elle said with a wink.
    "If she’s those things, then she’s already sexy. You can be a knockout in that dress. But if you only wanted to talk jobs, money, and social standing, then you wouldn’t be sexy. Now, the girl who refuses to back down—that is sexy.”
    Elle leaned closer to him as they danced. His hand moved back to the top of her bottom and his lips pressed sweet kisses to her neck. She was just about to fall under his spell when the music stopped and a man approached them.
     
    Drake saw his assistant approaching and narrowed his eyes. But Phillip was too busy saying hello to the people he was passing to notice the cold stare Drake was giving him. Phillip couldn’t meet this woman or he’d blow the insane connection they shared.
    “Excuse me one second, my dear. I see someone I must talk to. Will you be here when I get back?”
    “I guess you’ll have to find out.” He heard the laughter in her voice, but he also saw the men eyeing her with interest.
    “I promise—you won’t be sorry if you wait for me. It will only take a second.” He swiftly leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers. When she leaned forward to complete the kiss, he stepped back and gave her a wink. Hopefully, that would keep her waiting. God knows it was enough to have him rushing through the crowd and grabbing his assistant.
     
    “Drake,” Phillip said, surprised.
    “Shh. I don’t want anyone knowing it’s me.”
    Phillip rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand your aversion to crowds. This is a great party.”
    “I know. It’s not that.” Drake cast a glance to where she stood talking to one of the men who had wasted no time filling his spot. “It’s that woman. She’s amazing and she has no idea who I am. We’re talking and sharing. There’s something there, I tell you.”
    “Really?” Drake had known Phillip since he was a kid. They had grown up on the same block and went to the same schools. Drake started his own company and realized he couldn’t do everything himself. Phillip had told him he’d lost his job as a mechanic. He talked too much to the clients. Drake had hired him on the spot. He needed someone like that to