Heart's Paradise Read Online Free Page A

the other around Madison’s shoulders to soothe her ruffled feathers. “I think I agree with Chrissy, let’s ditch this joint and see what trouble we can find, eh? I for one am starved and have a craving for cheap Chinese food.”
    Chrissy gave him the sloppy formation of an eager smile, while her mirror image only wrinkled her delicate, freckled nose in an adorable way. She was harder to please, and seemed to have a taste for the wealthy lifestyle. Jonathon decided he liked Chrissy more, and perhaps he’d show her how much more later tonight. If he could get her to sober up first...he’d left drunken groping behind with his college days.
    He waved off the waiting valet and led the women into the parking lot, wanting Chrissy to get some fresh air. Two men jumped from between parked vehicles, and lights flashed from their cameras. Paparazzi loved him as of late, and he gave them his biggest grin as he passed. They dogged along behind, shouting his name and asking questions he ignored. Madison waved and blew kisses over her shoulder, while Chrissy tightened her hold on his waist and stumbled along.
    He helped Chrissy into the cramped confines of his BMW’s backseat, and Madison took shotgun. He closed the passenger door and patted the top of the sports car, a recent purchase and one of the company’s new electric models. His father had come undone when he’d spied it, which had been a silly temper tantrum in Jonathon’s opinion. They were an old Texas oil family, making their living for generations on drilling, and the money they had now would last him and his four older sisters indefinitely if invested wisely. If his old man knew he’d taken a chunk of his own share long ago and put it toward green energy interests, he’d probably be disowned.
    He weaved through heavy Saturday night Dallas traffic until he spotted a questionable restaurant close to the outskirts of the city that seemed absolutely perfect. The area neared where gang activity had picked up, which of course added much more to his interest. A degree in cultural anthropology had left him fascinated with people outside of his inherited social circle. Those he’d grown up around all seemed cookie-cutter after a while, just like the obnoxious homes they lived in clustered around exclusive golf clubs.
    He parallel parked, climbed out of the car, and walked around to retrieve his two dates. He inhaled the odor of old grease and fried wontons as he let Madison out, then helped Chrissy from the back seat. She staggered forward, nearly falling, but the two of them managed to drag her inside the restaurant. People gawked as they took a table in a corner.
    “Why can’t we go someplace nicer?” Madison whined, scowling at patrons and décor alike. She folded her arms over her small, pert breasts barely hidden by the thin material of her flapper style dress. “Like Benny Robert’s? I hear it’s the place to be seen. Everyone who’s anyone goes there.”
    An elite Dallas club and hotbed of snobs and wannabes, Jonathon thought. “But this is where the interesting people are, baby,” he said instead. “The place with the culture and unapologetic faces.”
    Unapologetic was right, they were getting everything from curious stares to downright menacing scowls. Chrissy giggled and slumped forward, scrunching up the paper tablecloth and knocking over the vase with a plastic flower in the center of the table. A server came over, giving them an almost accusatory look. Yeah, Jonathon had to agree, they stood out like sore thumbs with their formal attire, and chances were most recognized him from TV or magazines. Perhaps the man thought they were mocking the establishment, which he wasn’t. He genuinely preferred being out in everyday places that didn’t require social status or a dress code.
    He ordered for the three of them—egg rolls, egg drop soup, Hunan beef, orange and sweet and sour chicken, along with waters. Chrissy wavered in her chair, Jonathon wanted to