Read Playing With Power - Book 2: New Adult Office Romance for Free Online

having a party for the fourth.”
    “If we want to go?” she said incredulously. “ If ? You’re kidding, right?” Ali was already stuffing her clothes into a suitcase. “When a rich gorgeous man invites you up to his vacation house in Sonoma-frickin-California, you go.”
    “But don’t you think it’s a little weird?”
    “Yes, but again, when an extremely wealthy, connected, and well-known investor invites you to his vacation house for Fourth of July weekend, you go. It’s fine! He’s not just some guy off the street. We’ve already Googled him and we’ll be together. I’m not getting any rapey vibes here and to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if that guys locked me his basement dungeon for a while. Now, get your ass in gear and start packing!”
    “Okay, I suppose it beats what we were planning on doing.” Lauren grabbed her suitcase and paused. “This is completely crazy, right? Like, totally bonkers?”
    “Completely and you just got another text.”
    Lauren practically leapt across the room to grab it off the bed.
    Sorry Lauren, something came up, I couldn’t tell you straight away. An investor, Landon DeWitt, called the office and offered to pay to change your flights. I accidentally let it slip you were with Ali, sorry! It’s already come through, I’ll forward the reservations now.
    “I can’t believe any of this is happening,” she muttered.
    “What? What now? Is he flying us to St. Kitts or something?”
    “You got your wish, Llama. We’re flying back first class,” she said shaking her head in disbelief.
    She rushed over to Lauren and took her face in her hands. She kissed each cheek with a loud smack. “I am so unbelievably happy I came on the this trip with you,” she declared before bouncing away in celebration.
    Lauren could do little more than laugh as she packed up her things, her mind a jumble. Is this just business or something more? What if I misread the entire situation and he really just does want to talk about StyleSpur? I have to remain completely professional until I’m sure...but even then, what about Nick? I shouldn’t even be having feelings for someone else yet, right?

    Traffic was light as the limo cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a rare clear day so the girls took photos of the city, poking their heads through the sunroof like a couple of kids headed to prom. They settled into their seats and after a little giggly deliberation, decided to pour a couple vodka tonics from the wet bar. Ali was in the mood to celebrate but Lauren simply needed to settle her nerves. This whole thing was so unlike any experience she’d ever had. The day before, she hadn’t even been aware of Landon’s existence yet here she was going up to stay at his vacation house for the weekend. It’s business, she chastised herself. I’m getting all worked up over something that will probably turn out to be nothing at all.
    With the city behind them, Lauren was surprised how quickly the suburbs trickled away to rural land. The colors shifted to muted browns and oranges, almost the colors of the desert. The California landscape was everything she’d expected but at the same time surprising. The iconic palm trees were a familiar sight but she hadn’t anticipated the beautiful steep, undulating hills created by eons of tectonic activity. With sun-bleached grasses and groves of trees sprouting from the small valleys, it was almost as if she could see the Earth moving and shifting before her eyes.
    After a few twists and turns, they found themselves cruising through wine country. Huge vineyards dotted the landscape, the tan grasses giving way to lush greens. The perfectly ordered and straight rows of vines hugged the terrain, rolling and curling with the ground. The hills opened up and offered long breathtaking views of the valleys below. They passed several handsome estates offering wine tasting and vineyard tours, their parking lots filled to the brim.
    “You do realize we’re doing