Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

Zandra the truth, no matter the repercussions.
    Plucking a speck of lint off her jeans, Lena asked very casually, “So, um, you haven’t spoken to Roderick?”
    â€œNot yet. He left a message for me this morning, said he was on his way to Japan on business but he’d be in touch soon.”
    â€œOh.” Lena’s stomach knotted. She wondered if Roderick would complain to Zandra about her refusal to see him again. But once Zandra learned what had happened between them, she’d understand why Lena had taken that stance.
    â€œI assume he’s going to Japan to close the deal with Ichiro Kawamoto, which means things must have gone even better than I expected last night.” Zandra chuckled with satisfaction. “He owes me big-time. ”
    Lena smiled weakly. “How well do you know Roderick?”
    There was a pregnant pause. “We know each other pretty well.”
    Lena felt a sudden stab of jealousy at the realization that Zandra and Roderick may have been lovers. And why not? Zandra was a smart, gorgeous woman who epitomized confidence, sensuality and glamour. Lena had watched her work a room, batting her long eyelashes and flashing a sultry smile that reduced grown men to drooling adolescents. Many of her clients had initially contacted the agency hoping to score a date with her.
    â€œIt’s not like that,” Zandra said wryly.
    â€œWhat?” Lena pretended not to know what she was talking about.
    â€œRoderick and I have known each other for over twenty years. We grew up together on the South Side, went to the same schools, hung out at the same places. But we’ve never been more than just friends.”
    Lena frowned. “So you’ve never—”
    â€œFucked him?” Zandra sighed. “Can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure.”
    â€œOh.” Lena didn’t know whether to be relieved or baffled.
    Zandra chuckled dryly. “Now you’re probably wondering what the hell’s wrong with me. Believe me, I’m not blind or comatose. I know how unbelievably hot Roderick is. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been approached by friends and relatives who wanted me to fix them up with him. And they’ve always wondered thesame thing about me and Roderick. It’s hard for them to believe that we’ve never so much as kissed, but it’s true. We’ve always been more like brother and sister than anything else. I cherish his friendship, and I’d never do anything to jeopardize it.”
    Lena smiled. “He’s very lucky to have you in his life.”
    â€œThat’s what I keep telling him.” Zandra laughed.
    Lena couldn’t imagine having a platonic relationship with a man like Roderick Brand. Every time he just glanced her way, she’d want to get sweaty and naked. But if Zandra claimed that they were just friends, she’d have to take her word for it. Not that it really mattered. Roderick was nothing more to Lena than a one-night stand. Sure, the sex had been phenomenal. Out of this world. But that’s all it had been. Sex. Exhilarating but meaningless sex.
    Or so she kept telling herself.
    â€œWhen Roderick mentioned a party he was throwing for Ichiro Kawamoto,” Zandra explained, “I suggested that he hire one of my escorts to be his date for the evening. He looked at me like I’d started speaking in tongues. The idea of paying for a companion was a foreign concept to him.”
    â€œNo surprise there,” Lena muttered. Roderick probably couldn’t take two steps without tripping over females trying to lure him into bed. Women would pay him to take them out on a date.
    Zandra continued, “I told him that none of the women he normally dates would impress Ichiro Kawamoto the way one of my girls would—specifically, you. He was still skeptical, so I started telling him about you. I could tell he was impressed by your educational background; your