Diablo Blanco Club: Unfair Advantage Read Free Page B

training of any new Doms or Dommes—let alone submissives—in nearly three years. And you have a talented manager and staff handling the stables, orchard, and gardens of your home.”
    Pushing his empty coffee cup away, Bryce held Richard’s gaze. “There’s always travel.”
    “You haven’t taken a vacation from the company in five years, my friend.” Richard signaled the waiter for the bill before turning back to face him. “You’ll never convince me you’d be happy as some jet-setting playboy. You were never meant to be some high-society, feckless celebrity.”
    “And what if I don’t want a ‘wholesome’ bride?” Bryce offered, his mind conjuring images of his assistant that were the complete opposite of “wholesome.” Hell, if she’d even suspected some of the things he’d contemplated introducing her to, Mattie Lawrence would have never lasted eight years in his office.
    “I never said the reputation had to remain that way, my friend.” Richard finished his coffee. “In fact, I’ve been just as anxious for you to stake your claim, so I can assist you in tarnishing her reputation just the slightest bit.”
    A flash of irritation ignited at his friend’s words but was quickly stifled. In the years they’d known each other, it hadn’t been unusual for them to share a lover, so it disturbed Bryce that he’d react poorly to Richard’s anticipation of a similar act. Keeping his expression calm, he shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”

Chapter Two
     
    “We have a problem.”
    Mattie Lawrence clenched her thighs and fought the shiver that zipped down her spine. The sound of Bryce’s voice was always a turn-on for her. Add to it six feet four inches of lean muscle, broad shoulders, and smooth Southern charm, and it was no wonder she found it nearly impossible to keep from creaming her panties at least once a day around the man. Since he’d decided to lean over the back of her chair and make his statement close to her left ear, Mattie was treated to not only the sound of his Southern drawl, but the crisp citrus smell of his aftershave, the brush of his hair against her ear, and the heat of his breath over her cheek. Yup, there goes another pair .
    She waited until he’d returned to his desk before looking up. “What kind of problem?”
    From his forefinger dangled a white lace thong. Though his face showed little emotion, anger glittered in his pale green eyes. Panic had Mattie’s heart slamming against her ribs as she considered the panties could have come from the stash she kept in her desk. Before she could stutter out an excuse for their presence, Bryce continued and eased her worries.
    “These were tucked into my pocket in the middle of my meeting with Heilsbeck and Reynolds, along with a very X-rated proposition.” With a disgusted look, he dropped the item in the trash. Legs crossed at the ankles, Bryce leaned against the polished mahogany desk and gripped the edge with his hands. “They weren’t very happy about it.”
    “Is that why you canceled your afternoon meeting?” Mattie tilted her head to hold his gaze.
    “Among other things.” He took a deep breath, his knuckles going white from his hold on the desk before he continued. “The board approached my father about rethinking his retirement.”
    “But—”
    Bryce lifted his left hand and motioned her to stop. “They want him to continue running the company until a suitable replacement can be found.”
    Mattie could tell there was more. Long fingers raked through his hair, mussing the white blond waves. The gold hoop in his left ear flashed in the sunlight before his fingers tugged at it. A sign she’d learned years ago meant he was working through a problem in his head before discussing it.
    “Suitable replacement? How can you not be a suitable replacement?” Mattie finally asked when he remained quiet.
    “That’s where the problem comes in.” His arms folded over his chest and his gaze held hers. “The board is