Flirting With Desire (Contemporary Romance) Complete Collection by Lucia Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

she asked, recalling that he’d introduced himself by name when he’d served their table.
    He nodded with a grin as if happy she remembered. “So why are you here on your lonesome? I’ve got a good listening ear if you’d like to talk about it,” he offered, eyes twinkling.
    Hanna’s smile looked wry. “First off, I’d like to apologize – about this morning. I must have embarrassed you with my silly flirting.”
    Ryan looked playfully put out. “Darn. I really did think I had the chance of taking you from your man!” he laughed.
    Hanna had a confused frown. “You’re wrong, he’s not my…”
    “He seemed livid that I’d taken your attention even for a moment,” teased Ryan. “Would he feel a little differently if I told him I think he’s hot, too?” Ryan winked at Hanna, “I’m into guys as well. Though something tells me he wouldn’t be down for a juicy threesome.”
    Hanna laughed for the first time that day, a genuine sound of mirth as she met Ryan’s dancing gaze. Blushing, she hid her face in a glass. “No, I doubt that would be his thing.”
    “Oh well,” Ryan sighed, his grin never slipping. “My boyfriend wouldn’t want me dating anyone else, so a little harmless flirting helps to liven the mood. It was nice getting to meet you though…”
    “Hanna,” she supplied quickly, placing down her drink and taking the hand he held out. “I’m sorry for being so rude; my name’s Hanna Simms. I’m here as executive assistant to Mr. Rush – officially the most infuriating boss in the world.”
    Ryan shook his head and chuckled low in his throat. “Honey, looks like you’ve got it really bad for this boss of yours. You should both kiss and make up – but only after you’ve made him grovel a bit.”
    Hanna snorted indelicately, unable to imagine Damian grovelling. “I think we’re way past the stage of kissing and making up,” she said. She still couldn’t forgive him for his hand in destroying her relationship with Chet. That had been her choice to make, not his. But he took the matter out of her hands and did things to suit him. Just so he could get her into bed.
    She’d always vowed she wouldn’t be like those women she’d seen him discard unthinkingly after they’d outlived their usefulness. Now, Hanna saw herself as no better than those other bimbos who’d fallen for his silken touch and words. He seemed taken with her now, but how long would it be before he tired of the dalliance and she was fired like any of those other assistants who’d been foolish enough to fall for him?
    Hanna shook that thought off.
    No way she’d fallen for Damian Rush. It had just been sex. Hot sex but empty all the same. She believed in love, and true kinship as the key of a relationship. That was why she couldn’t think of letting Chet go so easily. No matter what, they’d made a real connection over the years. They almost felt like brother and sister thanks to how well they knew each other.
    Yes, he’d obviously cheated on her and well, she couldn’t say she was innocent of the same crime, not after what had just happened earlier in Damian’s suite. But how could she make things right again?
    She smiled at Ryan, who still lingered at her side. “Thanks Ryan, but I’m done with my drink and need to get back. I’m happy we got to speak.”
    “Me too,” he said, viewing her solemnly. “You should have my number. Any time you need to sound off some more, give me a call, could both talk about our man troubles.”
    Hanna laughed, shaking her head humorously as she took his offered numbers. Ryan went back to work and Hanna paid for her drink before returning to her suite.
    *
    Hanna was relieved that the meeting with the President of Gateman Corp took only two hours. Once they were through, they were driving back to the hotel.
    “You must be hungry,” Damian said. “Would you like us to stop for dinner?”
    Hanna didn’t like the idea of anything fancy. She wasn’t really in the mood