The Beautician and the Billionaire Episode 8: The Party

By Evelyn Aster

Excerpt:

Charisse rested her hand on his cheek, admiring the straight nose and defined jaw line. She still hadn't returned his “I love you.” Part of her wished she could wake him up and tell him now, while the other part still wanted to wait. It was too soon after the contract, too soon after churning up the past with Josh and too close to the party for Becca. She wanted to give her emotions for him time to grow and bloom. At least he hadn't brought up her hesitation.

Keeping her hand on his cheek, she slid closer to him and brushed her lips against his.

“Mmmm,” he said without waking up.

She wished she hadn't been so tired when they arrived. She'd wanted to end the day by making love to him, but she'd crashed out immediately after changing into a knit cami and shorts set she'd found in her suitcase.

Lifting her head slightly off the bed, she saw that it was four in the morning. He probably wouldn't want to be woken up right now. Besides, she'd never initiated a seduction. Her attempt would most likely be laughable. Still, her core craved physical intimacy in a way she'd never experienced before. She couldn't tell him she loved him, but she wanted him to know she desired him and cared for him more than any other man.

She pressed her lips against his, gently but harder than a moment ago.

“Mmmm,” he said again. “That's the second time you've kissed me. Do it again, and I'll think you want to make love.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evelyn Aster
• Release date: Apr 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311185815

Evelyn Aster

Evelyn Aster writes romance for grown-ass women. She loves heroines who make mistakes and have real problems just like her. Mostly, she lives, writes, drinks coffee and eats chocolate in Albuquerque, NM. She's managed to avoid being a meth dealer so far.

Book preview

The Beautician and the Billionaire

Episode 8: The Party

By Evelyn Aster

Hot Java Press

Copyright

Copyright © 2016 Evelyn Aster

Cover Copyright © 2015 Chiara Girardelli

Edited by Julie Schober

Photos from Can Stock Photo Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Hot Java LLC

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

1| Face-off

Charisse took a long sip of her coffee, trying to keep her attention focused on Marie. She'd spent a grueling morning spilling details of her relationship with Josh to Conor and his lawyer. She hadn't wanted anyone to know about some of those things, especially a current boyfriend. Mortifying was the word for the morning.

Marie sat across from her, chatting away about how wonderful Armand was and how tragic it was he'd had to return to sea. Charisse set her coffee down and smiled. The old socialite Marie would've shrugged the relationship off. But the Marie who'd gotten a job arranging flowers and who now wore flats instead of heels might actually be in love.

Fortunately for both of them, Marie still knew how to schmooze a hostess. Friedman's was packed, but Marie had gotten them a table right away. Charisse was glad for the noise of the crowd: less chance of people overhearing their private conversation.

Do you think you could talk Daddy into transferring Armand to a job on a ship that at least docks in the States? asked Marie.

Charisse stabbed a bite of cranberry, chicken and spinach. Sorry, Daddy and I haven't spoken since the banquet.

I still can't believe he brought a private investigator to that. He's lucky Conor hasn't fired him. Where was he when Josh was...

Charisse's set her fork down, suddenly not hungry.

I'm sorry, said Marie, reaching across the table and taking Charisse's hand. That was insensitive of me. I'm trying to be better about that.

Charisse’s eyes widened for a second, surprised further by Marie's change of character. It's okay. I haven't told you everything that's been going on. Josh has been calling me and actually showed up at the salon yesterday when I wasn’t there. I've spent the morning filling out paperwork for a restraining order. I wish I could go back to ignoring everything that happened with Josh because I'm pretty sick of dealing with it.

Josh is freaking here? asked Marie, slamming her glass of wine on the table.

Charisse nodded.

Do you want me to take off work and camp out at the salon? I'll kick his ass if he comes by again.

Charisse squeezed Marie's hand, her gratefulness welling up. I think Letti has it covered. But thank you.

At least you're taking steps to keep him away. I'm proud of you.

Charisse drank in the sisterly affection. Conor was working on major problems with a business he owned in China, so she didn’t want to lean on him for support all day.

Charisse lowered her voice. It seemed like there was always someone listening at a restaurant who shouldn't be. "He's moving back to New York. He wants to make peace because he thinks we'll run into each