Relentless Read Online Free Page A

were more than just friends. Where was the harm in that she wondered? She almost felt as if they were all alone in some private cocoon. Wrapping her hands around his neck she looked up at him and was treated to one of his ohhh-so-charming smiles. “I thought you said you were going to quit harassing me for answers. Besides you’re making way to big a deal out of this.”
    “I said I would quit harassing you. I didn’t say anything about Trixie,” he said almost triumphantly pointing out the loophole he had found. “And actually I think it’s you that’s making a big deal out of everything. All you have to do to end it is to tell me everything.” His hand moved down her back to her rear. He gently squeezed her cheek with his hand, unable to control the impulse.
    Michaela’s head snapped up asking, “Did you just squeeze my ass?”
    “Uh, maybe?”
    “Maybe???”
    “Okay, but it was sort of a reflex thing. You know, we’re dancing and I just got caught up in the moment.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal.
    “What? You squeeze everybody’s ass you dance with?”
    “No, only the ones in red dresses with brown curly hair.”
    Michaela decided that between the champagne and the closeness of his body she had no brain left to argue with him. Retreat was the only option. Ignoring his comment she asked, “Aren’t you thirsty? Why don’t we go get some more champagne?”
    “Don’t you think you’ve had enough? We haven’t even eaten yet.”
    Michaela shook her head and smiled flirtatiously as she reached up and grabbed his prominent chin. “Don’t worry about me I’m feeling fine.”
    Jordan treated her to a doubtful look. “Okay, I just don’t want you feeling too fine,” he said as he guided her away from the dance floor.
    “Point taken, I promise not to drink too much and pass out.”
    “Go ahead and pass out. You’re so small it would easy to carry you out of here,” he told her in his most deadpan tone.
    Michaela treated him to a glare. “More insults about my height?”
    Jordan looked at her with innocence beaming from his blue eyes. “I’m not insulting you. I’m just stating the facts.”
    A grin broke across Michaela’s face. “Well, in that case let’s go get those drinks.”
    Jordan and Michaela passed the evening enjoying the complimentary food and drinks while spending what must have been hours on the dance floor. The event had the elegance and style associated with the Ritz Carleton and she and Jordan thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere while they enjoyed each other. They shared a mindset that allowed them to laugh, argue and play together, and playing it seemed was what they did best. The party was so large that it served to isolate them, and though they did a moderate amount of socializing with her co-workers, the majority of the evening was spent with just the two of them alone amongst the crowd. Michaela decided to throw herself into the fantasy that had begun with their first dance pretending that they were much more than friends. As the evening progressed the fantasy became more and more believable and the evening took on an almost magical quality. They danced until the band stopped playing and Michaela thought the Ritz staff was considering throwing them out. Neither she nor Jordan seemed to want the night to end, but the party ended and they were forced to leave.

Chapter Two
    They grabbed a cab back to her place, and since both of them were in good spirits, Michaela invited Jordan in for a nightcap. As they entered her town home, hanging their coats in the closet, Michaela asked, “What would you like to drink? Coffee, brandy, scotch, more champagne? All of the above?” Her head was slightly buzzing from just a bit too much indulgence, but she would worry about that in the morning.
    Jordan didn’t take long to ponder the question, “I think a brandy sounds great. Why don’t you pour us some glasses while I start a fire?”
    “Yeah… cause turning on the gas