Read Seducing the Playboy (A Hot Nights Series Book) (Entangled Brazen) for Free Online Page B

up. I should have thought it through and been honest with you. I wanted your help, but I didn’t want you to just give it to me…I wanted to earn it.” She looked chagrined as the double entendre hit home. “I don’t mean that like it sounds, considering what happened last night.” She glanced toward the oven, and her lips curved. “But you really do need a pastry chef. Let me at least train someone for a few weeks in exchange for your advice.”
    His gaze followed hers. “Is that your subtle way of telling me I should check on my cookies?”
    “Check all you want. It’s not going to help.” Her grin widened.
    He bent to open the oven and saw she was right. He didn’t have cookies anymore. He had a flat tray of contiguous batter that looked runny in some spots and crunchy in others. “Son of a bitch.”
    She giggled. “I recommend you finish baking it and then make chocolate chip cookie ice cream. Or streusel. You might be able to use it as the crust for a cheesecake, but I don’t think you’re going to be able to sell it as cookies, not even bar cookies.”
    He heard footsteps on the other side of the line but didn’t get the oven door shut fast enough.
    “Nice work, Chef.” Max whistled, sliding his knife roll onto the counter. “You making pancakes in the oven again?”
    “Shut up,” Roman growled. “Where’s T-Bird?”
    “Right here, dude.” His prep cook stepped onto the line. “Something smells awesome. Can we eat it?”
    “Roman made cookies.” Max grimaced. “I doubt it.”
    “Bogus.”
    Roman opened his mouth to retort, but his phone rang, the shrill summons sending a bolt of agony through his tender skull. He looked at the display and sighed. Of course.
    He punched a button. “Hang on, Mom.” To Jenna, he said, “I’ll be right back.”
    “What’s up?” he asked, walking down the hall to the office.
    “You are, Roman. All over the Internet. There’s a picture of you on the beach cavorting with a blonde. Right next to a police report.” His mother’s voice was whip sharp.
    “Wait…what?” He sat down at the desk and reached for the keyboard, tapping a quick Google search. He winced to see himself in profile with an obvious erection holding Jenna above the water. Clearly someone had snapped a shot of them before the police arrived. Thank God the photo only showed the back of Jenna’s head since it pretty much displayed the rest of her.
    “You know I’m trying to get a backer for Oasis, Roman. It’s my last project, and it means everything to me, but no one is going to believe I can create a retreat for celebrities who want to stay out of the limelight when my son is paparazzi catnip. Our name has become synonymous with publicity, in large part because of your social life. I thought sending you out of town would cool your jets a little, but goddamn it, Roman, that picture is everywhere. What’s next? The LA Times ? What is it going to take to get you on board with the direction this company is taking? I can’t hand you the reins when you clearly need both hands to keep your pants on.”
    Her voice softened, but only a little. “I spent an entire week prepping a twenty-course meal to impress Jefferson Morgan, a man who has more money than God. Every plate was exquisite. The dinner went off without a hitch last night. When a courier arrived this morning, I assumed it was an offer to back Oasis. Or at the very least, a thank-you note.”
    From the catch in her voice, he had to assume it was neither. “What was it?”
    “Flowers. With that awful picture of you folded up in a nice little rectangle in the florist’s envelope. And an invitation to dinner.”
    He sucked in a harsh breath. “That bastard.”
    “To say the least. Honestly, I don’t know whether he wants to kill the deal or is hoping my morals are as flexible as my son’s.” She sighed. “Could you please try to behave yourself? You’re making my retirement more difficult than I was