Hammered Read Online Free PDF Page B

lot of expensive cars but unlike their owners, she didn’t think Alex had
driven this to impress her, just to make her comfortable. Unless her radar was
really skewed, she was pretty sure he was planning to get this contract on its
own merits and the reputation of his company, not because he catered to her.
    Which made this whole evening even more of a puzzle to her.
He knew she was analyzing him. Would probably try to question him some more.
But he was relaxed and easy in her company and trying to make her the same. He
was unlike any man she’d spent time with in what seemed like forever. So what
did that say about her choices?
    Quit analyzing everything and try to enjoy yourself.
    They didn’t talk much on the drive to wherever they were
going but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. And truth be told, Livy was just
as happy for the quiet. She could relax into it and study the man next to her.
    She was surprised when they pulled into the parking lot of
The Corral, a well-known barbecue restaurant.
    Alex turned off the ignition and shifted to look at her,
noting the look on her face. He frowned. “Problem? You don’t like barbecue?”
    She shook her head. “No, no. I love barbecue. I haven’t met
a rib yet that I couldn’t devour. I just thought…”
    “That I don’t eat in places like this? Take people here?
What? We can go someplace else if you’d rather.”
    Livy unlocked her seatbelt. “No. This is fine, Alex.
Really.” When he still didn’t move she said, “Aren’t you getting out?”
    “Maybe we should get something straight first.” His tone was
serious. “Livy, my brothers and I haven’t always had the kind of money we do
now. We come from a typical middle class family with great parents. We started
the company with a loan from our dad and paid it back the first year. I told
you this morning what it was like.”
    “Alex—“
    He shook his head. “Let me finish. As we moved up the
financial ladder we allowed ourselves to enjoy some of the perks—new homes,
cars, clothing. We took clients and dates to better restaurants, because we
could. And for some people that was more important than it was to others. And
it’s part of the business. We know that.”
    “Listen.” She tried again to interrupt him. She hadn’t meant
to unleash this can of worms.
    Nice going, Livy.
    Alex went right on as if she hadn’t spoken. “But beneath all
the flash we’re still us. We still pay the same attention to quality and
design. We still make sure every job gets done properly. We have more money to
spend. That’s the only difference. What you see is what you get. If you’d
rather go someplace else, just say the word.”
    How could she have misjudged him so badly? Was her internal
radar not working? Or maybe she’d just become hardened by all the stereotypes
she spent time with—in and out of bed—and couldn’t see the diamond in the bowl
of rhinestones. Besides, she always equated rich with her father, a man who had
buried every scrap of emotion, taking enjoyment only from his success and what
it could buy for him. She wondered if her brain needed an instant overhaul.
    She dragged in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
    “Let’s try this again.” She turned toward him and held out
her hand. “Hi, Alex. Nice to see you again. I understand this place serves
great barbecue and my mouth is watering. Shall we go inside?”
    He stared at her for a long moment before he burst out
laughing. “I’ll say this for you,” he said at last. “You can do a quick
change.”
    “Yeah. Stock in trade. Let’s forget everything else and just
go inside and eat, okay?”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    It surprised her how easily conversation flowed between them
when she wasn’t trying to game him. And because she wasn’t so focused on
probing beneath the surface and analyzing him she actually got a better measure
of him than she might have otherwise. Besides, it was hard to be on your toes
with a man when you had