Before You Seduce Me: A Prequel to Seduce Me by E. J. Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

that?” asked Brandon as he reached for the paper.
    “The one about your tryst with that Italian actress. Followed by your sighting the following day with a French model. And you rounded out your weekend being spotted in a night club with another woman. I don't believe she was famous. But she was just as attractive as the other two.”
    Brandon tossed the paper onto the table. He took a sip of his orange juice.
    “Grandmother, with all due respect . . .”
    “That is just my point, Brandon,” she interjected. “I don't think you are showing due respect. Not to the Davenport family name nor to the company. Your father is a Mitchell. All well and good. But you are also a Davenport. You are the CEO of Davenport Media and the magazine which I founded and bears my name.”
    “Yes, Grandmother. I'm aware of my heritage and my résumé.”
    “Don't be a smart ass. You may be a grown man and perfectly fit, but that won't stop me from smacking some sense into you.”
    “Yes. I am sorry.”
    “Brandon, darling. You are almost 30 years old. You need to think about your future. You need to think about the company's image. As a grandmother, I want to see you find a nice girl who you can settle down with. As the President of Davenport Media and Jacqueline magazine, I don't like all the talk of my playboy grandson. It is unbecoming of  the CEO of my company.”
    “I understand how you and Mother feel about all of this. Personally, I would love nothing more than to be able to trust someone enough to have a real relationship. I just don't see that right now. From a business perspective, we are more profitable than ever. Once we establish a digital media strategy for the magazine, which is my top priority, Jacqueline will secure its position as the preeminent fashion media outlet in the world.”
    “Your business sense is never in question, dear. It is the image you project that concerns me. I want you to seriously consider what I am saying to you. I never liked your sleeping around. I tolerated it when you were younger. I figured it was just a phase. Sowing your wild oats. Now. . . well, let's just say that it is time to grow up and get serious about one woman.”
    “Alright. I'll think about what you have said.”
    “See that you do. I'm not getting any younger, you know. All you grand kids are grown now. I'd love great grandchildren that I can spoil.”
    “Okay. I'll see what I can do,” Brandon said with a warm smile.
    Brandon loved his grandmother. She was an amazing women whom he had always looked up to. As much as he had grown accustom to his lifestyle with a variety of beautiful women, he did desire a relationship with one special women. The problem was that he had no idea who that might be. Until that person became clear to him, he doubted that he could just stop the way he went about seducing women. No matter how much it meant to his grandmother, the company, or even himself.

Chapter Three
     
    Ashley Sullivan
     
    “Stephen Mills is in my International Marketing course,” said Phil as we sat down to eat at Mario's Pizzeria. We were celebrating the start of our Senior Year of college at Santa Barbara University. Phil Reed had been my boyfriend since spring semester of our Junior Year. Stephen Mills had been my boyfriend before Phil. Stephen and Phil did not particularly like each other.
    “I assume you won't be doing any projects together,” I said as I took a bite of my anchovy pizza.
    “Got that right. He's such a pussy. I can't believe you ever dated that guy.”
    “Phillip Reed! Is that really necessary?”
    “Just calling it like I see it,” he responded as he took a bite of his pepperoni pizza.
    We always did half pepperoni and half anchovy. Phil hated anchovies and I wasn't fond of pepperoni. I guess relationships are all about compromise. Although Phil did little of that. It was a bone of contention in our relationship. At the moment, I was trying to avoid any confrontation and just enjoy the start of