Her Wanton Ways [Notorious Nephilim 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Free Page B

I’d be a boy, and had already chosen Joseph Ellison for my name. When I was born, they finally decided on Joelle. It’s a combination of Joseph and Ellison.”
    “Ah, clever. Do you have a middle name?”
    “Marie. Had to be a saint’s name, of course.”
    Cristian nodded, then picked up the menu Joelle had been looking at earlier. “Have either of you ordered?”
    “No,” said Blade. “Joelle had just asked me what I recommended.”
    “And?”
    It was on the tip of Blade’s tongue to tell Cristian he recommended a different table, but he didn’t want to appear rude or petty in front of Joelle. “The roast beef is always good.”
    “Boss. That’s what I’ll have then.”
     
    * * * *
     
    When the waiter returned they gave their orders, but Joelle knew if she were served cardboard she’d barely notice. Whereas Blade had that all-American boy-next-door quality to his looks, Cristian’s dark hair and chiseled face reminded her of Cary Grant or Randolph Scott. His gray eyes were penetrating and deep. When he smiled, a small dimple appeared in each cheek. Joelle wanted to put her tongue into those dimples.
    “When I showed Joelle to her suite earlier, I explained how all the suites have recently been renovated. You can tell Zach the money was well spent. Joelle was very impressed.” Blade leaned back with a smug smile on his face, as though he were proud of this fact.
    Cristian chuckled softly. “Yeah, Blade. I’ll make sure to tell him that.” He addressed Joelle. “How do you like it here so far, Joelle?”
    “I love it. The scenery is breathtaking.”
    “Yes, it is.” His gazes traveled over her face, down to her cleavage, then finally back up to her eyes again. “How did you hear about us?”
    Why did they both need to ask that? “An article in a magazine.”
    “Really? Which one?” Cristian frowned in confusion as he cut his gaze to Blade.
    “I’ve already asked her that. She’s being very secretive about it.” Blade winked at her, and Joelle decided there was no harm in telling them.
    “All right, true confession time. My roommate Peggy took a trip to London last month and brought back a copy of Health and Efficiency — H&E . The article was in there, written by a former guest.”
    Both men nodded. “Did our former guest have good things to say about us?” asked Blade.
    “Yes, she did, which explains why I’m here.”
    Cristian chuckled. “Emmett and Zach will be pleased as pie that this place is getting exposure across the Atlantic.” He turned his attention back to Joelle. “So why didn’t this roommate come with you?”
    “She’s getting married in a few months.”
    Cristian gave her a wicked smile and lowered his voice, leaning close. The scent of maple syrup filled Joelle’s head. “We have married guests here occasionally.”
    Joelle stared into his eyes. They were such an unusual shade of gray, almost like storm clouds, but there was nothing angry or dark about them. They shone with a light all their own. “How intriguing.”
    Cristian cut his gaze to her left hand. “You’re not married or engaged, are you?”
    Joelle averted her gaze. She didn’t want to talk about Scott, not tonight or anytime during the next two weeks. “No, I’m not.”
    “I sense an undercurrent of disgust in that answer,” said Blade.
    Joelle snapped her gaze to his face. Was he a mind reader, or was she that transparent? “I was engaged, but I broke it off six months ago. He still harasses me though.”
    Blade frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Let’s change the subject then. How about your family? Tell us about them.”
    Joelle smiled. How refreshing to meet a man who didn’t ask endless questions about why, where, when, and how she’d dumped Scott. “My parents are both from large families, so holidays are always exhausting but fun. Lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins milling around.”
    “Do you have a lot of siblings as well?” asked Cristian.
    “No, I’m an only child.