Shameless Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Are you trying to buy me?” she muttered between clenched teeth.
    “Yes,” he whispered back. He turned to Adele. “I’ll pay triple the price of her ticket.” The audience roared. “If she turns that down, these charities are out 300 bucks.” He met Sam’s eyes again, daring her to say no.
    She was about to tell him exactly where he could stick his 300 bucks, when she met the eyes of that overweight woman in the crowd, who would probably give a month’s pay to go out with a man like John Everest. If Sam turned him down, it would be a slap in the face to this woman and all the others in this room. Taking a deep breath and shooting a dagger-filled look at John, she said, “Now how could I possibly say ‘no’?” She hoped the smile she gave him was as sickeningly sweet to see as it was to wear.
    The audience applauded as Sam followed Adele to the stage with him right behind her. Adele directed her to the stool John had previously occupied. He moved in close behind her, not touching, but his body heat radiated into her back. The big man on the next stool chuckled softly.
    Adele stood in front of them. “I’m sure our audience would like to know what kind of woman caught the eye of Bachelor Number 6. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?” She pushed the microphone in front of Sam.
    Sam forced a smile. “My name is Sam Rossi and I work for the Statesman .”
    “A woman of few words,” Adele said to the audience. To Sam, “How do you feel about landing such a hot date?”
    “I’m speechless, Adele.”
    Adele’s brows lifted slightly and she turned to John. “John? What kind of a date do you have in mind with this speechless lady?”
    “Something private, where we can get to know each other better.”
    The audience oohed .
    The other bachelors snickered.
    Sam seethed.
    Adele moved on to Bachelor Number 7.
    “Samantha,” John murmured, his warm breath grazing her scalp. “The name suits you.”
    “Gosh, thanks. But it’s Sam .” His soft laugh created a slow shiver down her spine.
    He dropped his hands on her shoulders and she tensed. The son of a—! She took a couple of calming breaths. His touch was possessive, like he was staking his rights to her. She gritted her teeth and prayed for the end of this thing.
    After what seemed like forever, Adele wrapped things up by announcing, “Remember, ladies, next year we’ll be having the Extravaganza in December, just in time to bring home a hunk for Christmas.” The audience cheered loudly, then dispersed.
    Sam jumped from the stool and whirled around. “Okay, Everest. Game’s over. I wish I could say it’s been fun, but…” She raised her brows and gave him a phony smile before moving into the audience to talk to the attendees. When she was sure she had enough notes, she folded her pad and put it and the pencil into her purse. From the corner of her eye, she noticed John speaking to another couple on stage. She took the opportunity to scurry out of the room.
    A group of women crowded into the elevator. “Hold it!” Sam called, hurrying for it, but the doors closed before she reached it. “Dammit.”
    She annoyed herself by constantly looking over her shoulder for him . She wasn’t running scared. She’d put enough men in their place to know she could handle John Everest if he happened to catch up with her. The elevator bell pinged. Finally. When the metal doors opened, she stepped inside and pressed the button for the ground floor. She turned around and John stood right behind her. She jumped.
    “Samantha,” he scolded. “You left before we set a time for our date.” His masculine presence made the spacious elevator seem tiny and cramped.
    Did he really think—? “Cut the bull, okay? I have absolutely no intention of going anywhere with you. I only went along with this little charade because I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your adoring public.” She swore under her breath when the elevator went up rather than