The Boardroom (New Adult Contemporary Romance) Read Online Free Page A

something rare with so many people under one roof. It was time to have a heart-to-heart chat with her friends and get the advice she desperately needed.
    The five of them gathered in the living room, glasses of wine at the ready. With the conversation that was coming, a little liquid courage couldn’t hurt.
    Peyton cleared her throat and took a large gulp of wine. It was time to get down to business. “Okay. I’ve decided to see what The Boardroom is all about. Money is beyond tight. I have to do something. I need advice... from all of you.” She looked around at her friends. They all nodded, knowing this was a hard conversation for Peyton. They had been friends long enough to know she hated to admit she needed help.
    After a lengthy conversation – and two bottles of wine – the group had decided Peyton would call and schedule an interview at The Boardroom. From what they had learned about the private club, the girls could tell it wasn’t a strip club, but more of a dating service for the wealthy.
    It sounded safe… and there was a certain amount of adventure attached to the whole idea of working in such a place. With discretion about the club and its members obviously being so important, it should be easy to keep her employment secret. That’s if she could even get hired.
     

Chapter Seven -- Avery
     
    Avery and the guys filed out of the black stretch limo, ready to see what The Boardroom had to offer. As they approached the entrance, Avery took a deep breath and said a silent prayer, hoping this wouldn’t be a lost cause. Stepping through the entrance, Damon grasped Avery by the shoulder. “Relax buddy. You don’t have to marry anyone tonight. Just relax and have a good time.”
    “Right,” Avery muttered, glancing around the main room of The Boardroom.
    The room was sterile but strangely luxurious. From floor to ceiling, the walls were constructed of glass, with streams of water rushing from top to bottom. What little light the room had was due to large lave-lamp-like stands at the base of each table throughout the room.
    Everything about the The Boardroom shouted power and prestige. The silver furnishings were a nice touch, blending smoothly with the glistening water flowing in the walls. Despite his doubts, Avery thought for a moment this was actually his kind of place. The guys had already made themselves at home at a table near the dance floor in the center of the room. From that spot, they could see what was going on in the entire room.
    “That could be a good thing,” Avery mumbled under his breath, still not wanting to admit he liked the place.
    A soft, gentle voice brought Avery from his thoughts. “Mr. Roderick, I presume.”
    Turning around, Avery noticed a short, heavy-set woman in her late fifties looking up at him. “Yes. I’m Mr. Roderick. And you are?”
    “I’m Trixie Davenport,” she said, her eyes roaming his body slowly before returning to his face. “I own this fine establishment.”
    “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Davenport. But how do you know who I am? Being this is my first visit here.” Avery asked, a concerned look on his face.
    The woman laughed softly. “Oh, my dear boy. It’s Miss Davenport, and I make it my business to know the eligible bachelors in this town, because after all, it really is my business, if you know what I mean,” she said, motioning her hand across the room filled with men and women.
    “I see,” Avery said. “Shall we take a seat? I have a few questions about your services.”
    “Sure. We’ll chat in my office. I’m assuming privacy is of the utmost importance.” She winked. “It usually is.” She turned before he could think of a response. “This way, Mr. Roderick,” she said, without looking back.
    Avery followed Trixie down a narrow hallway to her office. He had so many questions. If Trixie could do everything his friends had said, then he was in good hands, and by the look of the place, Trixie knew what she was doing. He still didn’t