Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance Read Online Free Page A

have so many bars? It does seem a little crazy, I know, but it’s the life, man. I have to entertain."
    "What a burden," I groaned.
    Jace laughed. He had always thrived at the center of the social hurricane. I was the opposite, and if it hadn't been for Jace, I never would have spoken to a girl. He had unbelievable luck with women.
    Thinking about the beauty I had glimpsed through the aquarium, I cleared my throat. "So your lady must keep you on a short leash with all the lavish parties."
    "What lady?" Jace cried. "My personal life is a dismal mess, but I'm sure you aren't too surprised to hear that.
    We settled on bar stools and a bartender appeared through a side door.
    "Make that old-fashioned cherry soda, would you?" Jace requested.
    "Boss says I can't be giving you that much sugar," the bartender said.
    "You're not the boss?" I eyeballed Jace.
    "Yeah, I know. I ask myself that every day," Jace said. He twirled his bar stool around and bellowed. "Autumn!"
    His executive assistant appeared in the doorway. Long sandy blonde hair, deep brown eyes, and a willowy frame kicked me in the chest. I caught my breath back and said, "That doesn't look like a dismal mess to me."
    "Autumn? No, man, never. Look at her; that's not for me," Jace said.
    I looked even though it hurt. Jace's executive assistant was stunning in a closely tailored charcoal gray dress. The white cashmere cardigan fit tightly around her waist and framed a neckline that caused my thoughts to shatter.
    "Ayden King, this is Autumn Bishop, my executive assistant. Ask anyone and they'll tell you I can't wipe my ass without her," Jace said.
    "Don't be vulgar," Autumn said. She was diminutive, only 5'5" and slender, but she had an iron core.
    Jace laughed but when her dark brown eyes swept over me, I found it impossible to breathe much less laugh.
    "This is your long-lost friend?" she inquired. "Nice to meet you."
    I shook her hand despite the current of desire the simple touch fired through me. "Likewise," I managed.
    Autumn refused to smile. Smart girl. She was going to wait and see exactly what kind of man I turned out to be before she bothered with me. I respected that. After all, I was doing the same thing.
    * * * * *
    I watched Autumn leave. The conservative gray dress clung to her curves and her blonde hair skimmed down her back almost to her waist. My hand flexed, wanting to reach out and touch her, and I forced it back. Instead, I scrubbed at my stubble-covered chin and hid the frown at the slick man that ran into her in the doorway.
    The man was in his late forties, his thinning brown hair cut short to hide the loss. His suit was a flashy silver-gray matched with a bright tie and a heavy gold watch. He was only slightly taller than Autumn, but looked down his nose at her.
    She gave him a tight smile. "Hello, David."
    I felt her irritation from across the room. Non-verbal cues were a survival skill for me, and her body pulled back from David. She stood taller and stiffer. Autumn did not like him at all, but she was polite. She slipped out of the room, and I made a note to ask her about her reaction later.
    "Ayden, I want you to meet my business manager, David Rooke." Jace wrapped an arm around the slick man.
    David seemed concerned about his suit wrinkling, but he forced a friendly camaraderie. "Ayden King, it’s nice to meet you. Jace has said wonderful things about you."
    "Depends on your definition of wonderful," I replied.
    David gave me a measuring look. The scowl that sprinted across his lips said he did not like what he saw. I was taller, broad-shouldered, flat-stomached, and hard. He was none of those things and took a step back after our handshake.
    "Can I call you Ayden? I know we're all excited to have you here," David said.
    I wiped my hand on the front of my suit coat. The ingratiating tone in his voice made me want to punch him. "Rooke, huh? So Jace has surrounded himself by chess pieces? You always did like to stick to a theme," I pointed