Happy Endings by Chantel Rhondeau Read Free Book Online Page B

worked hard on dinner, and I’d like tonight to go well. Can we get along?”
    Larissa nodded, barely daring to breathe because the scent of Quinn’s faint cologne was setting her nerves on overdrive. How could the man infuriate and attract her all at the same time? “It was nice of your dad to invite me.”
    Quinn chuckled and leaned into her, brushing a light kiss across her cheek that made her pulse race. What happened to Mr. Grumpy? He was being pleasant.
    “I have to let you know it wasn’t entirely nice,” he said. “I think my parents have ulterior motives for tonight.”
    He was so close that his warmth caressed her like a comfortable sweater. She knew she should step away, but she wanted to move closer. She’d already seen how muscular his body was when he lay naked on the massage table, and she couldn’t help but fantasize about how his strong arms would feel wrapped around her.
    “Did you hear me, Larissa?”
    She tilted her head up, heart pounding harder when she realized how close his lips were. If he bent slightly, she could taste them. “Ulterior motives how?” she forced herself to say.
    “Throwing us together, mainly.”
    His voice had a slight hitch in it that Larissa didn’t know how to read. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
    “I was wondering that myself, honestly.” He stepped back, breaking the intimacy between them.
    Larissa mentally shook herself. What was she thinking? This was her boss, a boss who was more confusing than any man she’d ever encountered. “After the way you left the party, I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me again,” she admitted. “Sydney told me we were on a date, but you never said that. I wouldn’t have danced with Parker if I’d known.”
    “If I’d asked you flat out for a date, would you have said yes? You were pretty pissed off.”
    That was fair. She might have told him to shove it, or felt obligated to go with him because he’d just offered her a job. In fact, that was the main reason she had gone with him. She didn’t want to jeopardize her new position.
    “I was mad,” she agreed. “Right up until we saw the sun setting and you told me about the fireworks. I really did look forward to watching them with you.”
    Quinn’s eyes bore into hers, trapping her with their intensity. What was it about him that had this power over her? He was nothing like Parker, who’d been fun and engaging. But if she let herself admit it, Larissa was much more attracted to Quinn. He seemed deeper. Someone who might stay committed, despite his prior divorce.
    That was considering any woman could make herself more important to him than his work. After all, he admitted that was why his ex left him.
    “Quinn?” a woman’s voice called. “Dinner’s ready.”
    The spell was broken. Larissa looked away from his eyes to see an older woman standing on the porch. She was as fair and light as Quinn and his father were dark. Although Larissa never managed to make introductions at the company party, this had to be Susan, Quinn’s mom. Parker and Sydney both took after her, it seemed.
    “We’re coming, Mom,” Quinn answered, once again offering Larissa his arm.
    She accepted it this time without hesitating. What could it hurt to see where the night took her? Quinn seemed so serious, as though he planned out every single thing he did, but that wasn’t Larissa. A little spontaneity never hurt anyone. It wouldn’t be hard to pose as Quinn’s date for the night for the sake of his parents.
    He led her up the porch steps, stopping in front of his mother. “Mom, this is Larissa Benner. Larissa, my mom, Susan McCallister.”
    Susan stepped forward, brushing a kiss against Larissa’s cheek just like Larissa had seen so many of the rich people do with friends.
    “So nice to meet you, Larissa.” Her voice was warm and welcoming.
    “Nice to meet you as well, Missus McCallister.”
    Susan laughed and waved her hand through the air, flashing the huge rock of a