A Playboy's Love Affair Read Free Page B

office, which Alex recognized was a welcomed luxury in their line of work. His gaze surveyed the room approving of every item that came across its path, thinking they may just have more in common than he’d realized.
    “What happened to you?” Carly gestured to the cream leather chair across her desk. “Please have a seat.”
    “Why did you lie?” he asked without preliminary and taking the offered chair.
    “What do you mean?” Carly removed her glasses with one hand, and opened the drawer to the right with the other.
    “Don’t play innocent with me, Carly. I’m warning you.” Alex rearranged his gray pants, and undid the single button in his black blazer revealing a blue shirt opened at the collar
    Carly placed her arms on top of the desk and leaned toward him. “Listen, Alexander St. Jones, I don’t know why you’re here, or who gave you that horrendous black eye, which I’m sure you fully deserved, but that’s none of my concern. No one—listen to me—no one, strides in my office and warns me of anything. I’m busy, have yourself a good day.”
    Alex stared back at her. “What? You’re trying to dismiss me? Try harder.” His lips drew back revealing straight white teeth. “Now, you listen to me because I’ll only say this once. No one ever dismisses me, especially not you. You’ve cost me this stupid black eye, millions of dollars, a fight with my closest friends, and almost my reputation. If you think I’ll walk out that door just because you say so, think again, Sweetheart.”
    Carly blinked in disbelief. “Who do you think you are to come in my office and give me orders? How did I cost you that stupid black eye? Oh, let me guess, you got in a bar fight over some girl because you can’t keep your… your…” Her hand moved in the direction of his pants, a soft pink blush covered her cheeks, betraying her train of thought it seemed because she was suddenly out of words.
    “My dick? Come on, you’re a big girl, say it,” he dared.
    She opened and closed her mouth, narrowing her eyes at him. His gaze lingered on her lips, recalling how delicious she’d tasted that night. His hand balled into a fist, ignoring the sudden need to caress her lower lip with his thumb.
    “I think you’re done here.” Carly moved the swatches in front of her to the opposite side of her desk. “On your way out, please tell Liv to come see me,” she ordered over her shoulder.
    Amusement filled Alex’s eyes. “Un-freaking believable, you’re dismissing me again. Honey, it’s not working so give it up. Let’s start with you owning up to your lie, which has had a domino effect on everything else in my life. I won’t leave until I take what I came to get.”
    Carly breathed in, facing him once more. “Alex St. Jones, you don’t have very good manners. Cussing in my office? Really?” She shook her head in disapproval. “Also, let me make something clear to you. I’m not your sweetheart, sweetie, honey or anything else, understand?” To emphasize her words, she raised her eyebrows the way a teacher reprimands a kid.
    Alex eased back in his chair and stared at her. If she thought he’d cringe at her words and give up his claim, she was in for a rude awakening. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
    Carly reached for a handful of the color pencils that were spread over her desk. “Fine. Since you won’t leave, say what you came to say and then leave. What’s this lie you’re accusing me of? You have five minutes starting now, so out with it.”
    He regarded her. Perhaps showing up unannounced hadn’t been the best course of action. Then again, chances were she would’ve never accepted to meet him, so he would’ve shown up anyway. He was saving himself time doing it this way. “My, my but proper Carly is bossy.” Alex crossed one ankle over his knee, getting more comfortable on the chair. “Your five minutes don’t start now because they don’t count. I can take all the time in the world if I