Seducing the Playboy (A Hot Nights Series Book) (Entangled Brazen) Read Online Free

too quickly, embarrassed to be caught snarfing junk food by the golden god suddenly appearing in her kitchen. Her face had blazed and she’d been sure her freshly erupted chin zit was a swelling beacon of uncoolness. It hadn’t mattered since he’d barely noticed her. They’d shot out the back door, taking the box of treats with them. She heard the bounce of a basketball in the garage, then fading up the street toward the park.
    She took a bite of the cupcake, relishing the sweet sting of hopeless love. She’d been blindsided that day and many days thereafter when he’d come home with Cole. She took another bite, evaluating the cake, the streusel, the filling, wondering if it wasn’t quite as good as she had first thought. She found it satisfying in every way—which brought her back to square one. Why hadn’t he offered her a job when her desserts were way better than the crap he was serving on the menu?
    She refused to believe it was because of money. He had plenty. More likely he saw her as nothing more than Cole’s little sister instead of an accomplished chef.
    Jenna sighed. Maybe professionalism had been the wrong approach altogether. Given his reputation, she should have waltzed in the door wearing nothing but high heels and a smile. Maybe that would have convinced him.
    She slid her cell phone out of her pocket and sent a short text to Lila and Betsy, her culinary school soul sisters. Crashed and burned.
    The rapid ping of responses made her smile through her tears. She wasn’t as alone as she felt. Lila’s response was typically supportive. Not possible . Betsy, as usual, wanted more information. What happened?
    He doesn’t want my desserts. Nothing else to bargain with. Suggestions?
    Fresh out. She wasn’t surprised. Lila had her hands full creating a menu for a soon-to-open New York restaurant while torturing the jackass chef as much as possible.
    Did you tell him about Cooper’s? Which is what Betsy had been suggesting all along.
    He turned me down before I got the chance.
    You have to tell him. And then make him an offer he can’t refuse. Naked? Betsy’s response suited her hometown of New Orleans and was curiously in sync with the thought that had just crossed her mind…
    This ain’t over yet. I’ll keep you posted.
    She tucked her phone into her pocket and lifted her face to the breeze, filling every corner of her lungs with the scent of salt, and wet, living things. The sun was heading for the horizon and the beach had a warm glow. Her spirits lifted as the last rays of the day warmed her face, chest, and arms. In a minute, the breeze would overwhelm the sun, and she’d have to put her jacket back on, but for now, she would revel in the freedom of being far from home and facing the infinity of the ocean. She might be a long way from Lambertville and the banks of the Delaware River, but with her feet rooted in the sand and the endless waves of the Pacific rolling up to kiss her ankles, she felt anything was possible.
    She’d been shaken by his refusal, but she wasn’t giving up.
    Naked, huh? Her heart fluttered and she bit her lip. She had another opportunity to convince Roman to hire her at the beach party tonight. If she could just get him alone, she could give it another shot…and make damn sure he never thought of her as Cole’s little sister again.

Chapter Two
    “You coming to the party?” Max had a six-pack in his hand.
    “Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.” Alone in the kitchen, Roman mentally kicked himself for the umpteenth time that night. Inviting Jenna to the party had been idiotic. If he was going to see her again, it should be in broad daylight, surrounded by people who knew he didn’t seduce his employees.
    She isn’t my employee.
    But she’s still Cole’s little sister, the better half of him protested.
    He groaned aloud. Was he really standing here arguing with himself?
    Grabbing a bottle of wine and two plastic cups, he followed Max out the door, trying not to