Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart Read Free Book Online Page B

to be in the Red Chicken tonight?”
    Christy nodded. Yes, Cole was going to be waiting for her. He’d actually said that much before arrogantly leaving the basement yesterday with a satisfied smile on his face. With her lollipop, she might add, and the frigging ladder. He’d said that if she wanted it back, she’d have to come to work in normal hours. She’d tried protesting, but for all the good that did her, she might as well have said nothing. The man didn’t listen to reason. If she couldn’t hold her ground over a lollipop or a ladder, how the hell was she going to keep her head above water in the bedroom?
    “I wish you’d told us about this. Why didn’t you say anything?” Holly admonished her and continued walking, a somehow worried look on her face.
    “Tell you what? That he probably thinks I’m easy and wants first chance to bag me?”
    “No, silly, about the stud mission maybe just being drunk talk. We might have reconsidered your birthday present.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Nothing, sweetie. Just thinking aloud.”
    “Holly, my birthday is in three days, not—”
    “Yeah, well, we’re celebrating today.”
    “But I recall specifically telling you all I didn’t want to celebrate.”
    “Too bad, sweetie, because you’re getting a small celebration, champagne included. Now deal with it. And don’t worry, there’s no cake.”
    “In the Red Chicken?”
    Holly nodded.
    Hell. Double whammy. Cole and a birthday party. Swell.
    I’d better start gathering intel . “Do you know Cole well?” Christy knew Holly had been friends with James forever, and now with his fiancée, Tate, too. As a matter of fact, Holly was in charge of organizing her bachelorette party along with Tate’s sister, but Christy had no clue whether her friend's knowledge extended to the other Bowen brothers.
    “Not too well. They’re all serial daters, players. James was a heartbreaker until he met Tate and fell for her. Cole is more discreet than Max, but he plays just as hard. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s a user, because he’s too nice and respectful with women, but any girl hooking up with him clearly knows there are no strings attached,” she explained as they reached the entrance to the Red Chicken.
    Yes, he’d made it pretty clear he wasn’t into relationships. Which, for once, wasn’t the issue—his drop-dead-gorgeous looks and his pushiness were.
    “Ah, and I heard he’s hung like a horse. And fucks for hours. I want a full report after the deeds are done. Let’s see if gossip has it right.”
    “Holly!” Christy chided her, flushing red, but her friend just winked at her.
    The Red Chicken was packed, not only because it was Friday night, but because there was also some charity event in the Lake Resort Club on the outskirts of town, and a bunch of dentists had come down from Boston for it. Some of the more adventurous guests had made their way into the local bar.
    Luckily Sophie and Annie were already waiting for them at their table. Christy didn’t have time to greet them and sit down before she spotted Cole approaching. Holy shit, he looked imposing with that black shirt molding his spectacular chest and those worn jeans softly hugging those muscular thighs.
    “He’s been throwing glances toward this table for a while already. For the life of me, I don’t know why,” Sophie whispered. Christy couldn’t answer because her mind was frozen and her gaze stuck to the man currently coming closer and closer. He was not babe-faced, traditionally handsome like Max. He was rugged and wild-looking and very focused.
    “Maybe the fact that he asked Christy out yesterday has something to do with it,” Holly informed them.
    “He asked you out? Why on earth didn’t you say anything?” Annie almost screamed at her.
    “Because silly girl here turned him down,” Holly explained, rolling her eyes. “Got pissy on top of that.”
    “You turned him down?” Sophie gave Christy a stupefied