Invisibility Cloak by Jill Elaine Prim Read Free Book Online

to endure this evening. Ducking his head, he checked his watch. Hell, he was ready to get out of here now. A man can only handle so many petty jibes being tossed back and forth. All the ridiculing was done in categorically good taste, though. Women could sure get nasty with one another. Sophia seemed ready to chew off Mimi Carlyle’s head for a snide remark she’d made earlier. Ryder had blocked most of the chatter off after the “lush” comment Jeffrey made to Roger. No time like the present to get the ball rolling so he could get out of here.
    “Well, Sophia.” He wiped his mouth with the black cloth napkin one last time and looked at his hostess. “This was a great time, but I have a lot on my plate for tomorrow.” Ryder backed his chair out and stood.
    “Oh, Ryder, do you have to leave so soon?” Sophia pushed out her lower lip.
    He’d almost laughed out-loud, but he’d covered it up with a cough. Man, she had the pout down to a science.
    Sophia pushed out of her chair and sauntered over to him. “I was hoping to have some brandy with you later, Ryder. We haven’t even had dessert yet.”
    “I am sorry, Sophia. I have a shi―” Ryder stopped right before he said shitload and replaced it with, “I am so loaded down with work. I’ll be up all night as it is.”
    “Oh, Ryder.” She tugged his arms, bringing them around her waist. “Are you absolutely sure?”
    Ryder chanced a peek at Amanda who was eying him with amusement and skillfully pulled his hands away from Sophia’s waist, saying, “Unfortunately, yes.”
    After telling everyone how pleasurable it was meeting them, he’d ended up at Amanda’s chair. Her hands fidgeted on her lap as he approached her.
    “I need to get home as well, Sophia.” Amanda stood up before Ryder could tell her the same drivel that he spewed to the others. She looked at everyone around the table and said goodbye in record time.
    And he thought he was the only one in pain tonight.
    “May I?” Ryder pulled out her chair so she had plenty of room to get out and offered his arm.
    “Thank you.” Amanda lightly placed her hand on his arm and they walked out of the dining room.
    Once they were in the hallway, the pressure in his neck and shoulders eased and he glanced over at his partner in crime. “I wasn’t sure if I could stand it another minute in there.”
    “ Shhh .” Amanda stuck her index finger up to her mouth and pulled him to the front door. “We aren’t in the clear yet.”
    Nodding, Ryder pushed open the front door and stepped out with Amanda on his arm. Only after he’d pulled the door shut, did he talk. “Think we are safe now?”
    “Yes, I’m pretty sure we are in the clear now.” Amanda laughed. “We should be ashamed of ourselves, you know.”
    “Oh and why is that, Ms. Harris?” Ryder asked as they walked to her car.
    “Because, Mr. Stevenson, we were in one of the wealthiest homes in the city. And we didn’t appreciate it as we should have.”
    Ryder grumbled. “Yeah, I suppose Sophia is a lucrative client, but I really do hate those upper crust dinner parties.” He opened the top button of his shirt. “Now, I can breathe again.”
    After she’d unlocked the car, he reached down to open her door for her. “Thanks,” Amanda said as she was about to get in her car.
    “I’m also ready for another cold beer. I gotta get that wine taste out of my mouth. Do you want to go get one with me?” Was he asking her out? Nooooooo . Just a sociable beer with a new friend he met.
    Uh huh .
    Her dark blond brows drew together. Good, she was thinking about it. His chest puffed up slightly. He better add some more fuel, he could see she was on the fence. “After all, we are conspirators. What good is it to scheme if we can’t have a little fun afterward?”

Chapter 4
    A manda grinned after his last comment. “Oh, how could I possibly turn you down after saying that?” She sat in the driver’s seat and turned to pull her seat belt on.