Lovers and Takers by Katherine Cachitorie Read Free Book Online Page A

difficult business was for his father these days, and the concerns he had about a hostile takeover.   He looked at his father.
    “Too risky?” Jake asked , saddened that the company he worked so hard to perfect could be viewed that way.   “What’s risky about it?”
    “I don’t mean to knock your business, but my financial planner at the time just didn’t feel it had a strong enough Lipper average for me to chance.   My money was limited even then, and I had to be careful.”
    “Yes, of course,” Jake said.   Roni could see the hurt in his eyes, which surprised her.
    “But that was a few years ago,” she hastened to add.   “I’m sure it’s back on track now.”
    “Varnadore Global was never off track,” Druce interjected.   “Mr. Varnadore works his butt off to see to that.”
    “I didn’t mean to suggest---” Roni started.
    “He turned that company from a one-man operation to the success it is today.”
    “And you helped too, Druce,” Pam added with a smile.   Aubrey, however, was staring at his father.
    “Ultimately,” Jake said softly, his entire attention on Roni, “you made the right decision.”
    Druce’s heart dropped.   So did Pam’s.
    Amos Hudson, the family butler, entered the room quietly and made his way to Jake’s side.   “Dinner is served, sir,” he said with a bow.
    “Thank-you, Hudson,” Jake said as he stood up, causing everybody else to scramble and stand.   Jake motioned for Roni to go in front of him, with him following.   Kara, who followed directly behind the couple, nudged Aubrey, who walked beside her.
    “Your old man is checking out Roni’s ass,” she whispered to him.
    “Don’t be vulgar,” Aubrey whispered back.   And then he, too, noticed how his father’s eyes kept moving downward to Roni’s backside.   He smiled.   Kara nudged him again.
    “Your father hates me,” Druce whispered as he and Pam brought up the rear.
    “Don’t be daft,” Pam said.   “He gave you credit for your marketing of that pipe whatever it was.   He respects you.”
    But Druce wasn’t at all as confident as Pam.   That was why, he knew, this little ploy of his had to work.
    Jake held the chair for Roni.   As they stood within an inch of the other, he found her clean, soap scent to be refreshing in this age of perfume overkill.   Everything about her, he was surprised to discover, was nothing like he had expected.    This woman was her own woman.   Smart, with seemingly good business savvy, and not one of those tireless self-promoters, either.   She wasn’t looking for any sugar daddy, he was already beginning to conclude.   He even began to wonder if she wanted to be there at all.
      As Roni sat down, she, too, could sniff Jake’s own clean, aftershave scent.   There was something so masculine about him, so all man, that she could feel a sensual vibe pass between them when he helped her to her chair.   Especially when he brushed his hand against her bare arm as he pushed her chair under the table.  
    She watched him as he walked around to the head of the table.   Although she was oddly disappointed that he didn’t appear to be all that impressed with her, she could still tell that he was showing some level of interest.   Then she had to smile at herself.   She had been pleased to have a book for company tonight, now she was upset that Jake Varnadore, of all people, didn’t want her in his bed?   Reality check , she thought.
    Once everybody was seated at the table, dinner was served immediately.   The conversation shifted, from talk of business to talk of American Idol and Nicki Minaj.   Roni, as usual, pretty much left the younger ladies to their own devices regarding such frivolity.   Jake ate heartily, as he hadn’t eaten all day, but he mostly took peeps at Roni.   She ate politely, and watched the other two ladies go on and on, and he began to wonder if she was quiet by nature.   A lady who made her living as an advocate, you would