SEVER Jane, Melissa (management books to read .TXT) 📖

“Not that way,” I blush. Although, that could also be true. “Why would he say such a thing?”

“Is Shawn a good man?” he asks, stabbing a green olive with a toothpick before sliding it off into his wicked mouth.

“As far as I know.” Or… at least I thought I knew.

“Do you think you know everything there is to do with your husband?”

He never told me about leaving his job... a year ago.

Or that he secretively drained our joint bank account.

So, yeah, that will be a big fat no.

“I like to think I do,” I lie to save the scrutiny.

“But you don’t know with a hundred percent certainty that you do. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be sitting here with me right now. Beware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Blythe, because he will pack one hell of a bite.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

That’s an extremely bold statement to make.

So, I question their relationship. “How well do you know Shawn?”

Surprisingly, Kane doesn’t shy away from answering. “I’ve known Shawn Cooper for a very long time. Since senior year in high school. And in that same amount of time, we’ve always been competitive… some would call us rivals even.”

“Why?”

“Because I have everything Shawn wants but can never get.”

I’m conflicted. I want to defend my estranged husband, but there’s a reason he’s estranged. Because he isn’t happy with what he has and wants what I can’t give him.

“And you?” I ask with a lump in my throat.

He leans forward once more, face hardening, causing my heart to race at a painful speed.

“I have everything I need, but he has the one thing I want.”

I feel a headiness take over, heat rising from within. His eyes fall to my chest, milky skin now blushed with pink. His tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip before he leans back, a tattooed finger nonchalantly tapping his lips.

My cell chimes a muffled tune from my clutch. I ignore it, but I’m grateful it’s pulled my focus from Kane’s penetrating stare. I sip my champagne but end up draining three-quarters of the glass. My cell chimes again and then twice more.

Kane’s stare falls to my clutch, and I move to silence my cell. Before I do, I see Amanda has sent me a string of messages.

“I’m sorry, it’s work. I—”

“Answer it, it’s fine,” Kane says, taking the time to watch me.

I open her messages and a shiver courses through my body.

Amanda: Oh, gurl. You in big trouble.

Amanda: The good kind of trouble.

Amanda: At least, I hope so anyway, otherwise not even I can save you.

Amanda: Original Red Riding Hood—The Big Bad Wolf orders Red to strip NAKED and climb into bed with him. He then EATS her alive!!

Amanda: That’s some kinky shit right there.

Holy shit.

I make the mistake of meeting Kane’s piercing stare, a fleeting moment which is already too long.

“Everything okay?” his low voice rumbles.

Ah… nope. No, things are definitely not okay.

“Fine,” I lie once more. For someone who hates liars, I’m becoming incredibly skilled at it. Silencing my cell, I slip it back into my clutch and take a deep, steadying breath. “No more interruptions, promise.”

“Your hands are shaking.”

A nervous giggle takes me by surprise and the corners of his lips turn the slightest degree. He seems amused by me, although I can’t think why. Firstly, I’m stalling on giving him an answer to his project because I simply don’t know if I can meet his expectations given the restraints, and he has the luxury of choosing any interior designer money can buy. Secondly, I’m clearly not his type. This man belongs with glamorous supermodels who are as otherworldly beautiful as he is.

So, why is he so persistent?

“So, what were we talking about?” I ask, aiming to take the focus off me, only to have it put straight back on me.

“Indulgence. Wanting something that isn’t yours… yet.”

Damn it. He is the original sin. Every damn bit of him.

I inhale sharply. “What’s to say that the particular something wants the same thing.”

This time his smile reaches his eyes, his index finger tapping his cheek in a well-timed beat. “Are you telling me otherwise?”

Am I?

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“I never shy away from a challenge, Blythe.”

I swallow hard as his eyes ravage me. They’re all sex—passionate, explosive, powerful sex. The kind which would have me on my hands and knees unable to stand for days. The kind that would have me whimpering no more, but begging for him not to stop. The kind I so desperately need after a year’s drought. The kind Kane Alexander is so willing to give.

~

“Thank you,” I start, the street lamp coating us both in a golden glow. “Dinner was wonderful. And that restaurant is mind-blowingly beautiful. I had no idea it even existed, and I know this city pretty well.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Blythe. And I agree. Some of the best places are the best-kept secrets.”

“Speaking of secrets,” I say, walking to the building entry. My palms grow sweaty, and I hope the exquisite champagne isn’t influencing my decision.

“Evening, Mr. Alexander. Ms. Blakely.” Gerry, the doorman tips his hat, and I greet him in turn before turning my full attention to Kane who’s expertly feigning indifference.

“You are shameless!” I state, unable to hide my amusement. “You now have Gerry using my maiden name?”

He shrugs as we enter the lift, dark, devious eyes meeting mine. “I told you, Cooper doesn’t suit you.” His eyes linger on mine too long, those same salacious thoughts passing between us.

The man is like a fucking wizard. A sexy one. One whose main spell is to have you open your legs and be screaming his name.

“As you were saying about