Bachelor's Special Read Online Free Page A

or three. After a year of her teasing him in his dreams, the only way to work her out of his system would be to sample her kisses again, and then have her in his bed.
    Desperation steered Chet across the parking lot. Her car stalled as she shifted into reverse. Maybe he could offer her a job working for him through the fund-raising season? Or he could offer to co-sign a loan? All he knew was that he needed to make a deal so he could see her again. He felt certain if he just asked her out, she’d refuse. But, if she agreed to his plan he’d have a chef in his kitchen, and hopefully a sexy woman in his bed.
    He tapped on her side window and she gaped up at him, lips parted and eyes so blue they appeared lavender.
    She rolled down her window, a tentative smile on her lips. “I don’t want any trouble, Chet. Let’s just forget—”
    “I have a proposition. You need to hear me out.”
    “A prop— No I don’t think so. Not a good idea.” Her thin-lipped, stern look rivaled Sister Catherine’s, the nun who had been in charge of his elementary education.
    “You’ll never know unless you hear what I have to say.” He grinned, easing the tension running the length of his back.
    Jill’s tight expression relaxed some and she removed her hand from the ignition. “Make it quick.”
    Chet opened the door and took her hand, helping her from her seat. He needed to move her from the offensive. “First off, let me apologize. I admit I’m gun-shy when it comes to relationships, and I know my family has a one-track mind in the hopes of me finding one.”
    “So then why did you agree to a date?” She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear with shaky fingers.
    “To get my brother, Mel, and my entire family off my back. This dating business is just one more attempt by my family to help me get past Gina.”
    “I assume she’s the woman with green dye permanently staining her fingers and dollar-sign eyes?”
    He liked her quick wit. “That isn’t why I stopped you. I want to offer you something to help you get your catering business going.”
    “Apparently you didn’t hear a word of what I said. I’m not interested in your money.”
    “You’re so skeptical.”
    “I think I should be. We hardly know each other, and it’s not like we met in the best of circumstances. You think I’m a liar and a cheat and I think… Well, we won’t worry about what I think.” She dropped her gaze to rest somewhere between his nose and chin.
    He’d love to know what she thought, but now wasn’t the time. “I work with several charities. Annual meetings are in full force as we plan out the following year’s events and fund-raisers.”
    “That’s very civic-minded of you but has nothing to do with me.”
    “But it could.” He raised his hand to quiet her when she opened her mouth. “I thought you were going to hear me out?”
    Her eyes sparked fire. She exhaled in a steady stream. “Fine.”
    “I normally host the meetings, which include several dinners that I have catered at my home.”
    Her sullen look vanished, to be replaced by an attentive half smile.
    “That got your attention.” He rested his hands on his hips to appear casual and calm, which wasn’t how he felt at all. All his senses were tuned to making a good impression.
    “Well, now you’re speaking my language.”
    He chuckled and a steel band strangled his heart when she smiled. “This can be a busy time, with long lulls in between. In the past I’ve had to book several caterers, and it’s turned into a big headache to keep everything organized.”
    “I’ll bet.”
    “My part-time cook left about eight months ago and I haven’t found a replacement. Between him and the caterers I hired years prior, everything had always been manageable. But hiring and keeping track of caterers requires time. Time I don’t have. If you stay at my house for the two months this is in full swing, organize menus, cater the dinners, and keep all the events on track, I’ll