The Farther I Fall by Lisa Nicholas Read Free Book Online

left the warmth of the bathroom, hair dripping chill around his shoulders. He used the towel from around his waist to dry the worst of it, then threw himself under the covers of the empty bed before turning out the light.
    As he lay there, he realized the most infuriating and intriguing thing of all about Gwen Tennison was that she had said no.

Chapter Three
    â€œGwen!” Sam took her call right away. “How are things going?”
    â€œSamantha. When I get home, we need to have a long discussion about what the word ‘difficult’ means.” Gwen breathed slowly through her nose. Sally was out of the room they were sharing, off getting breakfast. Gwen was trying not to pace.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œLucas Wheeler is not
difficult
, Sam. Lucas Wheeler is bloody
impossible
.”
    â€œWhat’s happened now?”
    Gwen lost the battle and started to pace. “I can deal with the constant sarcasm that comes my way. I can deal with the fact that he thinks I’m incompetent and doesn’t hesitate to tell me. I can even deal with a little bit of groping now and then. God knows it’s happened before.”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œBut he seems utterly determined that I’m going to be a notch on his proverbial bedpost.”
    â€œAre you complaining, or bragging?”
    â€œAm I—” Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose, before dissolving into laughter. Sam started giggling with her on the other end. “I hate you,” Gwen finally said.
    â€œNo you don’t,” Sam said. “You’re having the time of your life. I can hear it.”
    Gwen tried to catch her breath, tension melting. “No, really, Sam. That would be the worst idea ever.”
    â€œTour manager sleeping with the star? Wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened,” Sam said. “To be fair, I didn’t think it was something he’d try more than once.”
    â€œWell thanks,” Gwen snorted. “I feel really special now. How have you lot not been sued for sexual harassment? Seriously?” Gwen sat on the edge of her bed.
    â€œBut things
are
going all right, otherwise?”
    â€œYeah. Getting better, I think.”
    â€œYou are,” Sam agreed. “I’ve been hearing good things. Craig says you’re catching on beautifully.”
    â€œOh good. He’s a good guy.”
    â€œHe is.” Sam paused. “Listen, there is one concern. The merchandise revenues are running a lot lower than they should be. Sally mentioned there were some issues in New York with table placement—”
    â€œI tried—”
    â€œI know, I’m not blaming you.”
    Gwen wondered how much pressure Sam was getting, and her palms started to sweat. “How bad is it?”
    â€œIt’s . . . pretty bad, but fixable.” Gwen heard the sound of typing. “I’ve sent you some ideas via email. Mostly, work with Sally. She knows her stuff. Check with her first, make sure she’s always got what she needs.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
    â€œCome on, I’m tougher than that. It’ll be fine.” Sam’s tone softened, turning her back from boss into sister. “How are you getting on with the rest of the crew?”
    â€œThey’re a good lot. More clean-cut than I expected.”
    â€œDo you think that was accidental? While Lucas was in rehab, we made some major staffing changes. At the request of Lucas’s family—and you are not to repeat any of this—we swapped out any crew member with a drug habit.”
    â€œHis family. And you just . . . went along with it? Is that even legal?”
    â€œNo one was fired, just transferred. Except for your predecessor, and there were . . . extenuating circumstances. As to his family, Lee Wheeler can be quite persuasive where his little brother is concerned.”
    Gwen thought about the man