Sway (Landry Family #1) Read Online Free

or interact in news clips, he exudes this crazy mix of power and sexiness. But Barrett Landry in person? It's almost enough to make you high.
    I grab a towel and wipe up the champagne, trying to catch my breath. My head is spinning, my blood pumping so wildly I feel like I might pass out.
    I've got to get a grip.
    Righting the overturned flutes, my breathing finally evens out.
    His hooded eyes weren't darkened for me. They were to gain a vote or a fifteen-minute romp in the limo waiting out front. I know how these things work. None of that was for me.
    Not for me.
    Not. For. Me.
    A hip bumps mine and I look up into the animated face of Lola. "I saw you!"
    "Saw me what?"
    "Getting all flirty with the mayor!"
    "I was so not getting all flirty with the mayor,” I groan.
    "I'm not blind, babe. But I am disappointed. I was waiting for the big moment! I was waiting for you to fall into him, for your hand to go to the side of his face . . .” She closes her eyes and sighs. "You missed an opportunity."
    "I missed an opportunity to embarrass myself. Poor me." I roll my eyes and pick up another tray, this time a platter filled with canapés.
    "For someone so fun, you're really not very fun when it counts," she huffs.
    "What's Mr. Pickner say? We aren't here to have fun, ” I intone. “I have work to do, Lo." I ignore her protests and head out of the kitchen. As soon as I step foot back into the Savannah Room, my elbow is snatched. I whip to the side to see Mr. Pickner guiding me off to the side.
    The other servers flurry past us, giving me the side-eye. I'm not sure what I've done to be hauled off like this.
    "Can I help you with something?" I ask, keeping my voice level.
    "Have you forgotten the rules around here, Alison?"
    "No, sir."
    He tsks his tongue and releases my elbow. "I see and hear everything."
    "Mr. Pickner, I have no idea what you're referring to, but I do have a tray that needs to be passed around the room. So if you'll excuse me . . .” I turn to leave, but his voice lets me know he's not done.
    "It would serve you well to remember the contract you signed. You are to serve the guests and not engage them in conversation. You, Ms. Baker, are not a guest. You're not getting paid to entertain them. You're here to pass around appetizers, not yourself."
    I whip around to face him head-on, my jaw slack. "Excuse me?"
    "These people have nothing to say to you. If I catch you doing anything more than offering an appetizer, you'll be fired on the spot. Do you understand me?"
    I open my mouth to respond, but my mouth feels lined with cotton. I want to tell him to take this plate of overly-priced smoked appetizers and shove them straight up his ass, but I'm not given the chance.
    Before I can do anything, the energy in the space shifts. Mr. Pickner notices too, because he immediately takes a step away from me. Everything in the room seems to be drowned out, the air once filled with laughter and scooting chairs is now saturated with the scent of expensive spice.
    My eyes flitter to my right to see Barrett Landry. His deep blue tie has been loosened a bit, his cufflinks gone, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. He looks elegant in his custom-fit suit. I’ve never seen a man look this put together and pull it off like he woke up this way.
    He smiles and I immediately relax, my body instinctively responding to him. He holds my gaze for a long second, both stealing my breath and giving me oxygen at the same time, before a coolness falls over his face as he turns to my boss.
    Mr. Pickner puts on his game face, the one he doesn't use with his employees, and outstretches a hand. His eyes are a bit wide, like he's as star-struck as the rest of us.
    "Mr. Mayor! I do hope you're enjoying yourself. It's been an honor to cater this event for your campaign."
    Barrett shakes his hand firmly, and I can see the muscles flex in his forearm. It's pure arm porn as I watch the veins pop and his tanned skin tighten.
    "Tonight has been exemplary, thank