Double Down by Desiree Holt Read Free Book Online

please him. It was pleasant, for a change, to have someone challenge him.
    “Actually,” he told her, “I had something different in mind. Like dinner.”
    Again there was a silence.
    “Fine. When were you hoping to do this? I’ll need to check my calendar.”
    Little minx.
    He laughed. “By all means. How does tonight look to you?”
    “Tonight?”
    “Yes.” He stretched the rubber band. “Are you free?”
    “I believe I’m available. Let me check.”
    He caught the difference in words and smiled. Finally. A woman who apparently wasn’t impressed by him and who didn’t mind tweaking him a little.
    And a Domme. Remember that, idiot. And remember your stupid bet with Max .
    “Mr. Colby? Did I lose you?”
    He blinked. Had his mind actually taken a detour during this conversation? What the hell? And Mr. Colby? Mister Colby?
    “Sorry. Someone brought something into my office. And it’s Branch, please.”
    He had the uncomfortable feeling she was having a joke at his expense, a totally foreign experience to him these days.
    “I asked you if seven-thirty worked for you? I have late meetings, but that time is good.”
    “Seven-thirty is fine.” Eleven would be fine. Whatever time she said. “I’ll pick you up a little before that.”
    “Not necessary. Just tell me where, and I’ll meet you there.”
    She damn well wasn’t making this easy for him.
    “Do you know where Chandler’s is?”
    He named a restaurant off the beaten path, in the northern suburb of San Antonio, one where he was least likely to run into people he knew. People who would interrupt their dinner. He could easily explain having dinner with a member of the mayor’s staff, especially this member. He didn’t want any distractions, though. He’d have invited her to his home if he thought she’d accept, but that was something he had to work up to.
    “Yes, I’m familiar with it. I’ll see you there at seven-thirty.”
    Then she was gone, and he sat there, staring at the phone in his hand. He was still sitting there when the door to his office opened and Max strolled in.
    “You look like a man who’s just been asked an impossible question,” Max joked.
    “What?” He replaced the receiver. “Oh. No, no. Just confirming a business meeting.”
    Max dropped into one of the big chairs in front of the desk. “Well, while you’re having all your business meetings, I hope you aren’t forgetting our little bet.”
    “Bet?” Branch raised an eyebrow.
    Max threw back his head and laughed. “Nice try on the casual attitude, but I know you. That bet’s been at the top of your mind since we made it. How’s the progress coming in that area?”
    “We said a month,” Branch reminded him.
    “Double down if it’s less.” His friend grinned. “Of course you could always just pay me now, and we’ll forget about the whole thing.”
    “Not on your life.” He dropped the rubber band into a drawer. “You’ll be the one paying up. I’m already making progress, if you must know.”
    Okay, so that was a little white lie. Or a big one.
    Max’s eyes lit up. “Yeah? Details, please.”
    “Uh-uh.” Branch shook his head. “No advance info. Just be aware I have the situation under control.”
    “Is that a double entendre?”
    “What?” Branch frowned. “No. Don’t you have something to do? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
    “What I see is a man trying to find a way out of a quandary. But, okay, I’ll let it rest for now. I came by to see if you wanted to catch dinner tonight.”
    And didn’t that just figure.
    “Can’t. I have a business dinner on the books.”
    “Then you must have just made it because I checked your calendar with Karen.”
    Shit!
    He fudged. “It just came up. I haven’t told her yet.”
    “Okay, give me the info, and I’ll tell her on my way out.”
    “I’ll take care of it,” Branch snapped. “Don’t you have lawsuits to file or something?”
    “I have a clear calendar.” Max grinned at him again.