Read The Sweetest Seduction, Breakaway Hearts for Free Online Page B

to tell Julie that wasn’t necessary but instead what came out was, “That fucking asshole!”
    “Uh-oh, better make that two shots of grappa.” Julie came in and closed the door behind her. “Calm down, sweetie, and tell me what’s going on.”
    Lia sank down onto her desk chair and pressed her palms against her eyes. “I can’t believe I almost slept with him.”
    “Ooh, sounds like I’m just in time for the juicy details.” Dax set two glasses on her desk. “Are you talking about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”
    Julie popped him with the back of her hand. “This is serious. Now, start from the beginning, Lia.”
    “You know how my mom auctioned off a meal cooked by me last month at the charity thing? Well, the winner was Adam’s mom.”
    “And Adam is that fine-looking specimen in a suit?” Dax practically drooled. “So did dessert take on a whole different meaning? Not that I blame you.”
    “After dinner, he took me out on the boat, and....” As angry as she was at him, her sex still clenched when she remembered last night. “Well, one thing led to another.”
    Julie sat down on the desk and handed her the first shot. “You said you almost slept with him—what kept you from going all the way?”
    “A police officer with a very bright spotlight.” Lia took the glass and downed the bitter liquor in a single gulp. It matched her mood. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to seduce me so I wouldn’t be so upset when he dropped this bomb on me.”
    “Speaking from a guy’s perspective, you’ve got it all backward. You drop the bomb first, then offer the condolence sex.” Dax nudged the second glass of grappa toward her. “But let’s look on the bright side—you still have an ace up your sleeve.”
    Lia took a sip, letting the fiery grappa burn its way down into her stomach and calm her anger. “What do you mean? You heard him—he’s kicking me out for Amadeus Schlittler.”
    “Yes, but you have the one thing Amadeus Schlittler doesn’t have.” Dax wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. “Well, three things, if you count your tits.”
    Julie puckered her mouth like she’d just bit into a lemon. “You did not just go there.”
    “Oh, yes, I did.” Dax snapped his fingers in front of Julie’s face. “If Lia wants to keep this place, then she needs to go to Mr. Suit and work it.”
    Lia slammed her glass on the desk. “I’m not going to stoop to that level. If Adam wants to shut down La Arietta and kick me out, then fine. But I’m not going to sleep with him to keep this location.”
    “I’ll sleep with him,” Dax volunteered. “I don’t pretend to have any morals as far as hot men are concerned.”
    “You are such a slut.” Julie gave Dax a playful shove. “But seriously though, have you thought about using your feminine wiles to your advantage? I mean he seemed to be into you last night, right?”
    Lia nodded, the irony of last night’s events mocking her. “He even asked for my phone number.”
    “Then maybe when he calls, you let him know how much this restaurant means to you. Win him over to your side. Flirt, if you need to.”
    “Suck his dick, if you need to,” Dax said with a grin, earning another smack from Julie.
    Lia massaged her temples. “I love La Arietta, but I’m not going to stoop to prostitution to keep her. Besides, Adam is a businessman. The only way I’m going to change his mind is to show him that I’d do a better job of increasing his bottom line than Amadeus Schlittler.”
    “And if you need help grabbing his bottom line, I’ll be more than happy to assist.” Dax hugged her again, growing serious. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. What can I do to help?”
    Lia stood up and adjusted her chef’s jacket. “Make sure that we’re booked to maximum capacity every night. If he sees a line out the door, then he’ll know we’re making a profit.”
    Julie hopped off the desk. “And