The Contingency Plan (The Lonely Heart Series) by Latrivia Nelson Read Free Book Online Page B

and that disturbed her.  She had learned to be a reasonable woman with her heart instead of throwing it about like she had a spare.  She had learned that men thought women were expendable, and so the best thing to be was guarded.  But the one thing she had not learned to do was get over Sully.
    Checking her watch, she brushed through her long ponytail one last time  and sprayed perfume.  Gra b bing her purse and shades off of the sofa nearest the door, she took a deep breath and emerged into the world.
    ***
    Sitting in the back of Clément’s Oyster House in a large, dark empty booth only illuminated by the dim tiffany lamp above him with a khaki-colored Ralph Lauren Polo baseball cap pulled down over his choc o late curls and his eyes glued to the menu, Sully took a sip of his dirty martini and debated on what to order. Oysters were Dane’s favorite, but he preferred a big juicy medium-well steak to seafood.   
    Pulling his I-phone closer to him, he checked the time covertly, then continued like he wasn’t nervous, wasn’t anxious, wasn’t…waiting to see Charlie again, even though his heart was beating like a drum in his chest. 
    Last night, she had looked even more amazing than he could have ever imagined.  Her skin glowed.  Her eyes beamed.  Her presence encapsulated him, utterly and completely. 
    It had driven him crazy to see her cuddled up to her fiancé.  Even he wasn’t prepared for his reaction – a heady mix of jealousy and want had overtaken him, and he was forced last night to leave before he said something about it. 
    It was like the first time that they had met seven years ago.  He still remembered what he had felt like when she walked in with his brother to the headqua r ters in Miami. 
    But he wouldn’t get too ahead of himself with all of that today.  First, he had to pitch her on the entire crazy concept of his new and biggest idea to date. 
    His heart made a thud when he heard high heels clicking his way.  Finally looking up when he was certain that he would not gawk, he eyed Charlie.
    She sported a very sexy ensemble: a dark pair of skinny jeans that fit her thick hips and wide calves perfectly, a soft white lace shirt and nude chemise underneath that showed just a hint of supple cleavage, taupe red-backed heels and a white Coach purse with a heavy leather coat thrown over her arm. 
    She hid her eyes with a pair of Aviator shades, but he swore it only brought more attention to her glossy, pouty full lips.
    Damn, this is going to be a long day , he thought to himself as he pushed himself from the booth and stood up.
    “Hey you,” he said, reaching for her.
    Hugging him was like sin for Charlie, but she did it despite herself.  She reached her hands around him and lightly squeezed his rock-hard back, feeling the crease down the middle.  His cologne, Gucci Guilty, damned near sent her into a frenzy.
    “Where’s Dane?” she asked, looking around.  “Running late I hope.”
    “About Dane…he needs a rain check,” Sully said, motioning for the booth. “Please, have a seat.”
    Charlie exhaled with a bit of an unintended whine.  “Sully, if Dane isn’t here…”  Alex’s face popped in her head.  He would be furious if he knew that they were meeting alone, especially after their conversation last night. 
    Sully shook his head as if he would not hear of what she was about to say.  “Dane and I are very close.  I assure you every word that you say to me regarding Sophie’s Choice will be relayed to him verbatim.”
    “Verbatim?” she repeated, head tilting. 
    He cracked a smile, revealing perfect, pearly white teeth. “You do realize that I do this for a living, right?” His charm broke the ice. 
    Charlie gave in slightly. “Okay.  Just as long as this meeting is on the up-and-up, then I can stay.”
    Sully lifted his hands.  “Completely on the up-and-up. I promise.”
    Charlie narrowed her eyes on him.  “Sully, your fingers are crossed.”
    Sully