The Risqué Contracts Series Read Online Free

into a big hug and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’m glad you could make it.”
    “It’s good to see you, Bry.” I really meant it, too. More than half a year had passed since we’d last seen each other. We’d talked on the phone several times, but he’d been in the middle of a season with his team on another coast and I’d been busy trying to save my family’s company.
    The hostess led us to a secluded table in the back corner of the restaurant and I giggled at the glare she sent my way before leaving us.
    “I think you have an admirer,” I teased.
    “She’s harmless, but from what I’ve heard, the same can’t be said for your not-so-secret admirer.”
    The concern in his voice had me struggling for the right words to explain my situation with Caleb, but I couldn’t come up with anything that wouldn’t also require me to convince Brysen not to go after Caleb. “It’s complicated.”
    “That’s a bullshit response,” he hissed as the waiter approached to take our drink orders.
    “I’d like to order our lunches now,” I requested before he could walk away. Brysen and I had been here together many times before, and we always ordered the same things. My delaying tactic didn’t take long and before I was ready, the waiter was gone, leaving us alone once more.
    “Seriously, Maddie. What the hell is going on with you and Caleb Sterling?”
    “A better question would be what the hell business is it of yours and why the fuck is my woman having lunch in a secluded booth with you when she’s supposed to be with me?” The question was growled by a deep voice I’d come to know well over the last month. Caleb was here. He’d hunted me down and was now forcing his way into the booth next to me, his arm flung over my shoulder as he signaled the waiter over again. “There will be three for lunch. Add another place setting. Now.”
    The waiter ran to do his bidding.
    “Brysen Mariano,” my closest friend said as he leaned forward, extending his hand to Caleb.
    “I know,” he replied darkly, shaking his hand. “Caleb Sterling.”
    “So I assumed.” Brysen’s gaze was considering as he looked at the two of us sitting side by side.
    “How do you know my Madeleine?” The possessiveness in Caleb’s tone was blatant.
    “Maddie and I grew up together.”
    Caleb’s attention moved from Brysen to me. “You ditched our lunch plans to meet an ex-boyfriend?”
    “Not an ex-anything. Brysen is one of my oldest and closest friends,” I said, not liking the accusing look in his eyes.
    I felt the muscles in his arm relax as he took a deep breath. “You should have told me you needed to see a friend for lunch today. I would have understood.”
    “Would you really?” I questioned softly.
    “I’m sorry for all the fuss, but it turns out, it will be two for lunch,” Brysen apologized when the waiter returned again.
    “You’re leaving?” I gasped, stunned that he was abandoning me with Caleb.
    “I am,” he confirmed. “You two obviously have a lot to discuss, and I was operating under some wrong information. I’ve already learned what I needed to know just by seeing the two of you together.”
    “Wrong information?” I repeated, but it didn’t do any good. Brysen was already on his feet, ready to leave me alone with Caleb at a romantic table for two.
    “I don’t need to worry about having to kick Caleb’s ass for hurting you like all the gossip is saying will happen because he’s not going to do that. Right, Caleb?”
    “If I do, you have my permission to kick my ass. It will be the least I deserve.” Caleb’s response, on the heels of this strange turn of events, left me stunned. He’d turned my life upside down and I didn’t even know which way was up anymore.

Chapter 5
Caleb
    I glared at Madeleine and crowded her into the corner of the booth. She shrank back, then seemed to recognize her retreat and sat forward, her face inches from mine. Damn, I loved her feistiness. I