Read Wrong (Breaking the Rules) for Free Online

above me. Cole’s cologne choked me and I gagged…
    “Pepper, shit! Snap out of it!” Jordan barked, peering down at me, his face full of concern. His thumb wiped the tear from my cheek. “Are you going to tell me what just happened?” he asked, sitting up so he could look at me.
    I remained frozen on the couch, horrified at the memories that still hung in the air. When I shivered, he took my hands and sat me up as well. Drawing me close beside him, he hugged me. I could smell his delicious scent of soap and Jordan. No disgusting cologne here. I curled up in our silent embrace thinking about the safety I felt with Jordan. Sleep finally stole me away from him.

 
     

    Last night had been going great until Pepper had gone borderline catatonic on me. That woman was such a mystery to me. One minute, she was smarting off to me, as if she were the queen of the world and everyone else were just her minions. Then, she would surprise me and could be tender, even sweet, like when we talked about my dad. It was evident that the real Pepper was hiding behind the protective Pepper. As crazy as it was, I really liked them both.
    When we kissed, I’d gotten to see the hot, sexual side of her. That side was my favorite thus far. Her body had melted to mine, and I couldn’t wait to claim it. It was like she craved my touch. I sure as hell couldn’t get enough of hers. But when I laid her down on the couch, things had gotten weird. The moment I’d put my hand in her shirt to touch her breast, she’d rolled her eyes back and turned into a ragdoll.
    It had completely freaked me out. When she started gagging, I’d feared that she had been having a seizure. The tear that had escaped her eye had given me a brief glimpse into the woman that’d been protected by the icy, tough exterior. And fuck if I didn’t want to protect her too. She’d not wanted to talk about whatever it was that had upset her, but I would get to the bottom of it. I needed to find out who hurt her.
    The phone ringing pulled me from my thoughts of Pepper. “Jordan speaking.”
    “Jordan, it’s Joel. Lou Jennings doesn’t like your offer. He said you were lowballing him and it was insulting. He wants us to meet with him and his lawyer in person. I know his lawyer and he’s a hardass. They won’t leave until they get what they want. Just make the deal, Jordan.”
    My blood started to boil. I absolutely hated this fucker, Lou. How could my dad have even considered doing business with such a scumbag? Most people would have just handed over the money that was requested so that it would all go away, but I wasn’t most people. I was a stubborn ass.
    “Fine. We’ll meet, but I’m not giving in to his full request. We’ve worked too hard to keep Dad’s company running for some asshole to come in and wipe us out of all our capital. Set up the meeting. I’ll meet with him and his lawyer.”
    After Joel hung up, I stormed around my office. Dad had really screwed us all over when he took the chickenshit way out. Clearly, between Nadia and these shady business deals, he had been in way over his head. Thanks a lot, Dad.
    Later in the afternoon, I got a pleasant interruption.
    “Jordan, hi,” Pepper greeted, walking into my office. I grinned at her as she closed the door behind her. She looked especially pretty today but I couldn’t figure out why.
    “You look nice today, Pepper.” She blushed but waved me away as she set some papers on my desk.
    “Well, Stan wasn’t happy about last night. He decided to take it out on me this morning by nitpicking everything I did. I just need you to sign a couple of these forms.”
    I scribbled my name on all of them and stood. She looked at me like she was warring between kissing me and running away. Before she could choose the latter, I strode over to her and cupped her chin in my hand. Lifting her face to mine, I bent over and softly kissed her perfect lips.
    Like always, she melted in my arms, which gave me the