Love Revolution (Black Cat Records Shakespeare Inspired trilogy) by Michelle Mankin Read Free Book Online Page A

which had clearly bothered Chris. JR felt bad for the guy. He suspected Sara Daniels wasn’t as immune to Chris Alex’s reputed charms as she pretended to be. And since he had a bone to pick with her, anyway, he decided to put his theory to the test.
    “Sara, I have a proposition for you.”
    “Oh yeah JR? What’s that?”
    “I’m willing to bet all the guys here, except for myself,” he smiled and grabbed for Samantha’s hand, “would be willing to put up some good hard cash for a little friendly kiss from the famous Sara Daniels. What do you say?” He looked at Chris, Keith, and then Danny. “Five thousand upfront for each of you for one game of cut throat with the winner getting the kiss and the cash going to whatever charity Sara chooses. I’ll chip in five grand to sweeten the pot, of course.”
    Sara rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding?”
    “Ah, come on now, Sara. It’s for charity,” JR urged.
    “Yeah, Sara, come on,” Keith cajoled, obviously taking to the idea immediately.
    Sara glanced over at Chris.
    He gave a slight nod but his expression remained poker face neutral, giving nothing away.
    She rubbed the back of her burning neck, feeling everyone watching and waiting to see what she would do. JR was up to something. This she knew, but what he hoped to accomplish she had no clue. There was no way she was going to back down, though. She hated more than anything letting anyone think they were getting the upper hand on her. “Ok JR, I’ll do it.” She gave him a pointed look. “I choose Alcoholics Anonymous for the charity. You’re familiar with them, right?”
    JR frowned.
    “And I want ten thousand each. I’ll take IOU’s. No hands,” she gave each of the men a level stare, “and no tongue.”
    JR whistled between his teeth. “Ten grand’s a lot of money, Sara, especially for someone like Danny who’s just starting out.”
    Danny’s blue eyes narrowed to slits. “I’ve been in the business just as long as you have JR. I can handle ten grand.”
    “Ok. It’s settled then. Danny, Chris, and me,” Keith declared. “One game of cut throat. Winner takes all.” He pursed his lips at Sara.
    The men lined up to determine who got to shoot first. Whoever shot their ball closest to the edge of the pool table without actually touching it would earn that privilege. Danny got the ball really close and smiled. Chris was next. His shot got so close it looked like the ball was touching the velvet lined edge, but JR was able to get a coaster between. Keith was last and his ball stopped well short of the other two.
    “Ok. I’ll rack,” Keith said.
    When he stepped out of the way, Chris leaned over the table and shot the break. The five ball went directly in the corner pocket. Knowing he wasn’t lows, Chris checked the table for the best high or medium ball available. Spotting a real easy shot with the eleven, he took and made it, calling, “I’m medium.” After that, he tried for the thirteen ball in the center pocket but missed.
    He stepped back and leaned on his stick while Keith selected and lined up his first shot. Keith’s shot grazed the seven ball but didn’t knock it in. Chris let out a breath. Keith must have been trying to strategically block him, knowing he was the best player.
    Danny smirked as he sized up the table. There were at least three relatively easy shots for him. One after another he sank each of them.
    Chris stood in the corner, watching Danny wink at Sara before he took his next shot. Chris couldn’t hide his smile when the drummer missed. Straightening, Chris approached the table and walked around the perimeter with his brow furrowed. The balls were bunched up pretty good. There was really only one shot he could take, and it was a tough one. He took a deep breath and glanced up. Danny was smirking as if he had the game wrapped up. Chris focused back on the shot, taking his time and thinking it through before he leaned back over the table. With a