How To Host a Seduction Read Online Free Page A

realized we were heading in opposite directions. We have different goals…”
    Marriage? After three months? Was the man crazy?
    â€œâ€¦so we went our separate ways.”
    I ran screaming because he wouldn’t play by the rules.
    A lifetime of dealing with the high-profile baggage she brought to a relationship had taught her the hard way to be careful. She’d learned to walk the straight and narrow. And to force her creative brain into remembering the rules,she’d devised a method of making lists just to keep them straight in her head.
    Her latest rule for survival: No dating impulsive men.
    Lennon frowned as though she wasn’t quite buying this explanation. “What do you mean ‘opposite goals’?”
    â€œHe wanted to get married.”
    Lennon dissolved before her very eyes into one of those melting oh-how-romantic expressions Ellen was very familiar with after eight years of working with romance authors.
    â€œAnd you turned him down?”
    â€œOf course I turned him down, Lennon. Honestly.”
    â€œBut why? You were crazy about him.”
    That was before she’d found out he was crazy. “Listen, Lennon, he’s past history and I’m looking to the future.” Plastering her smile back on, Ellen tried to look reassuring. Her cheeks stretched. Her jaw creaked. “I’m waiting to meet the one, and when I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
    â€œThe one?”
    â€œThe man who’ll love me for who I am, with no questions. The man who’ll respect my situation enough to play by my rules.”
    Lennon looked thoughtful. “Unconditional love. Are you sure you believe that exists?”
    â€œOf course. I couldn’t edit romances if I didn’t. But I’m not going to sit around waiting for it to happen. I’ve got things to accomplish and goals to reach. Worrying about whether or not a man fits into the equation is simply not something I’ll do. If I meet the one, so be it. If not, well, so be it.”
    â€œYou’re sure Christopher isn’t the one? ”
    â€œCompletely.”
    â€œWhat convinced you?” Lennon insisted. “A man that intense and that gorgeous has to be amazing in bed.”
    â€œI am not sharing the details of my sex life, so don’t bother badgering me. You and Miss Q might discuss how much and how good over dinner, but I prefer to keep my sex life private, thank you. That’s the second rule of the Talbot family code of conduct—no discussing sex at the dinner table.”
    â€œNote to self—” Lennon grimaced “—have a handy excuse to decline the next Talbot family dinner invitation. Just out of curiosity, what’s the first rule?”
    Ellen patted her purse. “Always be accessible, which means the cell phone stays on.”
    Talbot family code of conduct rule number four: Don’t pry. Ellen could almost hear her mother explaining, Prying shows a decided lack of manners, and unless you’re interested in answering similarly private questions…
    She wasn’t.
    Unfortunately, Lennon wasn’t versed on Talbot family code of conduct rule number four. She sighed so heavily that Ellen knew she was in for a lecture about making time to have fun. Another conversation they’d had before.
    She switched gears, fast. “I will tell you it’ll be a frosty Friday before I involve myself with another impulsive man.”
    Lennon set her mug down on the table with a thunk, leaned back in her chair and smiled. And kept smiling.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?”
    â€œFinally.” She made a visible effort to curb her amusement, though not much of one, judging by her smothered laughter. “You are the most stubborn person I know.”
    â€œI’m not stubborn. I just like stability and constants. He’s an adrenaline junkie who lives life to test fate. The press would have a field day, and that wouldn’t be