King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

reputation to keep up and a responsibility not to act like an asshole. She believed he’d misread the situation. In his entire life, he’d probably never met a woman who didn’t want to kiss him.
    When they got into the tent, he pulled over two chairs and held one for her. It was weird to see him being subservient, considering who he was and who she was. Just a chubby office worker who called the managers of low-level celebrities.
    No one knew who she was, and she liked it that way. He, on the other hand, had everything in the world open to him. No one would turn him down. He could meet with dignitaries and presidents if he wanted to, probably.
    “So you came to the concert even though you seem to hate me,” he said. “Mind if I ask why?”
    “You already asked that,” she snapped. Then she calmed her tone because she realized if she was going to ask him a big favor, slapping him and acting angry wasn’t really going to get her far. She smoothed her hands over her jeans, wiping away the sweat on her palms. “My boss wants to know if you’ll take part in a charity auction.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Like a bachelor auction?”
    She nodded.
    “Interesting,” he said. “So you came for that? What’s the cause?”
    “Peaceful Heart Children’s Fund.”
    He sucked in a breath. “Ah. Good one. I donate.”
    “I know,” she said. “But we were really hoping an A-lister like you could bring in big numbers of attendees.”
    “Not to mention big bids,” he said.
    She nodded.
    “Can I ask why you hate me?” he asked, flashing her a handsome smile. “I don’t recall having done anything to you.”
    She narrowed her eyes. Was he serious? Was he that ignorant of how his family’s brutal wars had impacted the people on the island? “Not to me in particular, I guess.”
    He sighed. “I see. You aren’t fond of my family?”
    She shrugged.
    “We did what we had to in order to keep the peace.”
    She bit her lip. Someone had, but not him. Otherwise, she might not be alive. He’d been busy doing royal things. Still, he didn’t seem like an altogether bad person. He hadn’t said no to the charity thing, and he did donate. And sure, he might be a little self-centered and egotistical, but then again, maybe that was expected from someone as beautiful and talented as he was.
    “You still haven’t told me what you want,” she said. “You know what I want.”
    “I want you, for a mate,” he stated.
    She screwed up her brows. “I don’t get it. Isn’t the oracle supposed to pick for you royals or something? … Oh…”
    His intent stare and the slight tilt of his head, making his hair fall to the side in a sexy way, made everything click in her head.
    Of course there was only one reason sexy Beau Hunt, ruler of all he saw, would suddenly be interested in Stacy Anderson. Because the oracle that decided whether his family could stay in power had picked her. For whatever reason.
    She sighed and pushed hair behind her ear. She’d never seen this happening.
    “Kind of a shock, right?” he asked.
    She glared up at him. “Were you disappointed? I can’t think why she picked me. I’m so normal.”
    “Not at all,” he said. “I remember you from when we were younger.”
    “What?” she asked, confused. “When?”
    “I remember visiting your school,” he said, acting cagey, crossing his legs and giving her flashes of muscular, smooth thigh as his jeans shifted.
    She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.
    Being around this man was dangerous. It made it hard to remember her principles. She wanted nothing to do with Pride Island. She just wanted to leave that all behind.
    Agreeing to anything this man said would only lead to more complications.
    “Well, the oracle got it wrong. Or rather, I’m sorry for your family, but you and I are not happening,” she said.
    His face darkened, like a storm cloud had taken up residence just over his head. He clearly wasn’t used to hearing no or having things not work