Searching for Someday Read Free Page B

amusement. Hello irritation. Much better. “Why do I suspect you’re rarely surprised?”
    Her correct assessment threw him off. “Because I’m not. People are quite predictable if given certain circumstances. Take love, for instance. The promise of something Disney has made into a fortune with kids’ movies is like the Holy Grail. They’ll fight, steal, and pay money they don’t have for the opportunity of believing in a mirage.”
    He waited for a feminine temper tantrum and got . . . nothing. A gleam of interest sparked in her eyes. She waited him out, taking her time studying his appearance and making her own judgment. Oh, yeah, this one was good. There wasn’t a man alive who wouldn’t put himself in her hands, and not a woman who wouldn’t want to be like her. The perfect combination to sell love.
    “You seem a bit jaded for thirty, sir.”
    “Thirty-three.”
    “Ah, I see. Well, let me try to clear something up immediately. At Kinnections, we use a wide variety of services to help a person find a companion. What that means to him or her is subjective. Some want friendship, some want sex, and some want the crescendo of music playing when their eyes meet. I’m not here to judge. Our job is to try to get our clients what they want in a safe, consensual environment.”
    He clasped his hands in front of his chest and tapped his thumbs together. A favorite position with the jurors, giving the appearance of relaxation with full control. He eased his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “A lofty ambition. And if it doesn’t work? Do your clients get a refund?”
    Her chair squeaked. “No, they sign a contract up front agreeing to the terms.”
    “Convenient. I must give you credit, ma’am . You have a nice setup here. The businessman in me respects it. But I have one question I’m dying to know the answer to.”
    “What?”
    “How do you sleep at night?” Finally. Her muscles tightened, and Slade circled his prey for the kill shot. “You’re selling something that doesn’t exist. Do you take responsibility for the broken relationships and hearts you created along the way? Is there a disclaimer clause for divorces that occur from your matches? Do you like taking a lonely woman’s hard-earned savings while she keeps pouringmoney into a search that never gives her what she wants?”
    The blond half rose from the chair, fists clenched, anger pouring from her figure in choppy waves. Triumph coursed at finally breaking the hard shell of pretense. Get someone angry, push their buttons, and you get the truth. Tricks of the trade. Slade waited for the long tirade with a bite of enjoyment he rarely experienced out of the courtroom.
    Those luscious lips opened. Then shut. She dragged in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and seemed to do some type of meditative thing. When she opened them, she seemed calmer. Her hypnotic voice sang in his ears and promised him earthly and heavenly delights. God, what sounds did she make during sex? Moans? Husky whispers? Screams?
    What the hell was that thought?
    “You’re good. You almost got me to lose it, but I’m working on my anger management skills, so I win this round. I’m very sorry.”
    “Sorry for what?”
    A touch of gentleness lit her eyes. “For what happened to you. You were obviously hurt by a partner. Man or woman?”
    Slade yanked his hands up and broke his position. “You think I’m gay?”
    She clucked her tongue. “No need to be embarrassed. We match all kinds of sexual interests at Kinnections.”
    His breath choked him. “I’m not gay! And stop poking around in my head—I’m a master and know all about manipulation games. No wonder my sister fell for this charade.”
    She frowned. “Sister?”
    “Jane Montgomery. She signed up with your agency last week. I’m sure you remember her.”
    The hot blonde tapped her finger against her lips. Slade noted the lack of stylish nail polish in favor of clear. A definite contradiction to her American