Persuading Him by Michelle Dare Read Free Book Online Page A

emerged from the front of the plane.  I didn’t miss the tension between them or the way Rob looked utterly defeated when he saw Radek embrace me in a hug.
    On the tarmac, I saw the Town Car waiting for me.  The crew members would have driven their own vehicles.  I thanked Rob and Maria for their services.  Rob hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, “Be careful, Kasi.  If you need me, you know my number.”  I nodded against him.  While I didn’t like his advances or his temper, he was still a good friend who only had my best interests at heart.
    My pilot was not happy about Rob hugging me.  I saw the scowl on his face, but he refrained from saying or doing anything about it.  After everyone had left, Radek and I stood alone, staring at one another in an awkward silence.
    “I realized on the flight home that I didn’t even know where you lived.”
    He chuckled.  “Yeah, I guess there is a lot we don’t know about each other.  I live in an apartment, five minutes away.  I only moved here recently.”
    “Why don’t you go home and pack a bag?”  I grabbed his hand and laced my fingers with his.  “Come stay with me for a few nights.  I’m not ready to let go of you so soon.”
    “Who said you had to let go?”
    “No one, but I don’t know what other priorities you have or jobs you need to do.”
    “I have to fly a couple to a family gathering in a few days.  I could stay with you until then.”
    “Are you sure you want to?”  Shit, I just assumed he would want to spend more time with me.  What if he didn’t?  Insecurity and I didn’t get along well.  I hated self-doubt.
    He cupped my cheek in his warm hand and said, “There is no other place I’d rather be.”
    I gave him my address and he said he would see me in a couple of hours.  With a kiss we parted.  The drive home was quiet.  I checked for any urgent messages on my phone, but nothing new had come up.  Well, except for my publicist still hounding me about Radek.  I didn’t feel the need to have the conversation with her in front of the driver, so as soon as I got home I dialed her number.
    “Kasi!  Why haven’t you been returning my calls or texts?  Holy hell, girl, there is a shit storm brewing and you go MIA.”
    “I’ve been busy, Kara.  You knew I went to Kansas for a meeting.  I had stuff to deal with.”  Yeah, the K name wasn’t lost on me.  I couldn’t seem to escape it.
    “No excuse.  I always answer the phone when you call.”
    “You’re my publicist, I hope you would.  I don’t want to argue with you.  The past two days have been a whirlwind to say the least.”
    “Ya think?  Now explain it all to me.”
    So I did.  She couldn’t fight off the masses if she didn’t know what she was dealing with.  I trusted her wholeheartedly.  She’d been with me from the start.  I was also sure that if she lived closer we would become the best of friends, but she was in New York City.  She did drive out on occasion for a day or two.
    I had approximately one hour to myself and needed to spend the time making sure the house was picked up.  Fortunately, my wonderful housekeeper came while I was away and it was almost perfect.  Way better than I had left it.
    The remaining time I had was spent unpacking and freshening up.  I smelled like plane if that made any sense.  If last night was any indication of how the next couple days would play out with my pilot I needed to be in top form.
    Time flew by and next thing I knew I heard the familiar buzz of someone at the front gate.  There he was.  Mr. Radek Cole in all of his sweet form looking at me through one of the many cameras I had outside.  He was driving a black Ford F-250 pickup that screamed badass.  You could tell he had a lot of custom work done to it by the aftermarket details.  It was jacked up higher than normal with large tires, tinted windows, custom paint, and little touches here and there.
    He lowered his aviator sunglasses and