The Pleasure Series: Complete Box Set

Read The Pleasure Series: Complete Box Set for Free Online Page B

Book: Read The Pleasure Series: Complete Box Set for Free Online
Authors: M. S. Parker
Tags: Dark Romance
because I doubted anyone would describe my outfit with that adjective, but it was tame compared to what I usually wore out. Skinny jeans and a simple long-sleeved black shirt with a fairly modest scooped neckline. I did wear a pair of heavy boots and my leather jacket. If I'd had normal hair, I might not have gotten a second look from anyone.
    I saw the surprise in Rylan's eyes when I came into the diner, but I was too busy appreciating his jeans and fitted sweater to comment. I took the seat across from him and then realized this wasn't an area I had much experience in. Okay, I didn't have any experience at all. I didn't do the whole dating thing. I either worked with men or I fucked them; the second consisting of a brief exchange of words that may or may not include first names.
    It wasn't until I tried to figure out what I was supposed to say that I realized I may have set the time and place, but I wasn't in control. I didn't like that at all. At least this wasn't an actual date.
    “Do you want something to eat or just coffee?” Rylan motioned for a waitress.
    “That depends.” I found my voice. “Does ordering a cheeseburger turn this into a dinner date? Because if it does, I'll stick with the coffee.”
    He chuckled and I relaxed.
    “Considering I've never had a woman order a cheeseburger on a date, I think you're safe.”
    “No surprise there,” I replied.
    The waitress raised her eyebrows when she saw me and then asked if we knew what we wanted. I ordered my cheeseburger and fries, then smirked when Rylan got the same thing. When the waitress walked away, I looked at him.
    “It sounded good.” He shrugged, then leaned forward. “What did you mean when you said it wasn't a surprise?”
    “Supermodels and actresses tend to stick with salads or shit like kale,” I answered matter-of-factly. Since I didn't know how I was supposed to be behave on a real date – which this wasn't – I'd just be me. Maybe by the end of the meal, he'd realize he dodged a bullet when I turned down his job offer.
    “And what makes you think I date supermodels and actresses?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Okay, so maybe all of them aren't exactly in that field, but they could be if they wanted to. Men like you date those kinds of women. The gorgeous ones who watch what they eat and spend half their day with a personal trainer.”
    “Men like me?” He took a sip of his coffee.
    “Good-looking, rich, powerful.” I glanced toward the waitress returning with my coffee. “Men like you.”
    “So you do think I'm attractive.” He smiled, showing that dimple again.
    I glared at him as I took a drink and burnt my tongue. “I don't really think that's an appropriate work conversation.”
    “Then it's a good thing we're not at work and you turned down my job offer. I'm not your employer.” His eyes twinkled. “Which means I can tell you that while you look great, I was hoping for another mini-skirt, because you have amazing legs.”
    I raised an eyebrow. That was a bit more forward than I'd expected from him. I thought he had devised this opportunity to try to talk me into taking his job offer. Of course, I'd thought charming and flirting would be part of the deal, but I'd expected subtle, nothing that could be taken for actual attraction.
    “If that's the case, why'd you offer me a job?” I asked. “Were you planning on coming in every day to check out my legs?”
    “That would've just been a bonus,” he said easily. “But I value your mind over your body.”
    I wasn't quite sure how to take that one. I knew my employers valued my mind over my appearance, but I'd never heard anyone say they wanted my brain more than my body. I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about that. In fact, I wasn't sure how I felt about this entire encounter. It was a relief when the waitress brought our food and I was able to dig in.
    “For the record,” Rylan broken the silence that had fallen while we'd started on our meals. “The reason most of my

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