Read Dressed in Yellow: BBW Contemporary Romance for Free Online Page A

“Are you telling me you didn’t call me to your office to discuss a deal to take over her contract with me?”
    Leon sighed, hands sliding into his pockets. His eyes glittered. “Of course I did. It wouldn’t be appropriate for my future wife to be contracted to another man- even her cousin. That business should go through me in the future.”
    Aiva stiffened. She supposed another gal would get all hot and bothered over his high-handed declaration of intent- in front of witnesses of sound reputation in the community. But all she heard was that-
    “Wait just a damn minute,” she said.
    “Knew that was coming,” Andrew murmured, moving past her to take a seat. He picked up a nearby glass of wine, examined the rim and contents critically then shrugged and took a sip.
    “I built that business,” she continued, ignoring her brother. With effort. “And if you think I’m going to just turn it over-”
    Leon held up his hands. “No, don’t misunderstand me, Aiviana. You can have as many businesses as you like. If you don’t want my help, that’s fine with me, too. But if you answer to any man, it will be me.” He pinned Daniel with a hard glare. “And me alone.”
    “You talk like we’re actually getting married!” she exclaimed. “I don’t even know you.”
    Leon grinned. “Ah, well. In the old country, when did that ever stop a wedding from happening? We’ll get to know each other first, of course. I know how you American girls think.”
    The... effrontery. Aiva was speechless, and if it weren’t for the gleam of wicked humor in his eyes as he looked at her, almost daring her to lose her temper- she would have.
    Unexpectedly, she relaxed, and returned his grin. Two could play this game.
    “You want to court?” she asked, a purr in her voice. She took a step forward, enjoying the suddenly wary expression on his face.
    “With the permission of your father and mother.”
    “You have it, you have it,” her mother yelled from the kitchen. “Family dinner is every Sunday. Bring more wine.”
    “Saltano can chaperone,” Pa said. “And maybe that girl from your shop, Aiva. Mandy? Maybe do a double date. I know you young people think that it’s okay to get up to all kinds of mischief-”
    “No, no,” Leon interrupted. “My bride deserves the upmost respect.”
    Aiva could tell her Pa was both gratified and satisfied. He nodded. “Well, it’s getting late. Mr. Sudano, you may say goodnight to Aiva- she has to work in the morning.”
    ***
    Her family gave them the illusion of privacy. She walked Leon out of the house and stood with him in the front yard. It was dark, but the curtains continued to flick aside for brief moments, letting Aiva know they were being watched- not too discreetly.
    Leon smiled at her. “That went well.”
    “It would have gone better if you had asked me first. I don’t even know you.”
    “You will.”
    She wanted to roll her eyes. “ You don’t even know me .”
    He picked up her hand again, this time raising it to his lips to brush a soft kiss on her knuckles. “I know enough. I know you’re a dutiful daughter, and sister. I know you work nearly seven days a week and you treat your employees fairly. I know you’re determined to succeed, and pay your debts. I know you are fucking hot, and the day I can claim your body underneath mine can’t come soon enough.”
    Aiva inhaled abruptly, the suddenness of his explicit talk shocking her, causing her pussy to clench. He spoke soft enough no one would hear him- but in the bright light of day, no one would have mistaken the look on his face for anything but possessive, sexual. Fortunately, it was not the bright light of day.
    He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you home, yes? And we’ll talk in the morning when you’re free.”
    She didn’t know anything about him other than the gossip she’d gleaned. He was rich, yes. Sexy as hell, check. He’d come to her parents and her brothers like a man of the old