Handsome Boss: Handsome Devils Book 2 Read online

  And since when wasn’t Leigh a virgin? He glanced at his sister, who was nodding and smiling at Megan as she went over the reasons why the city park needed new playground equipment.

  He had to face facts. Their father had run off with a waitress when Leigh had been four. Their mother had died when Leigh had been eleven. She’d been raised by three older brothers who might have been strict with her but who did a fair amount of hell-raising on their own.

  He should count his lucky stars that Leigh hadn’t made him an uncle already.

  But for crying out loud. He was all for liberated women, but did they all have to liberate themselves in front of him at the same time?

  He turned away from Leigh, but not before making a mental note to talk to her once more about safe sex and nice boys.

  Behind him, Chase could actually feel Janet Defries staring at the back of his head. No doubt she was planning all the things she could do to him if she had plastic wrap and an economy jar of mayonnaise.

  And then there was Megan. Frowning, he looked at her. She was carefully explaining how the city could build a large play castle like so many bigger cities had if they raised enough money and had enough volunteers.

  Her talk was going well, as expected, but Chase could tell she was nervous. They’d been friends for so long, he recognized the signs.

  He gave her an encouraging smile.

  And the look she gave back scorched him. Good Lord. She was picturing him naked.

  Before he could stop himself, before he could even think about how downright stupid it was, he found himself picturing Megan naked, too.

  And really, really liking what he pictured. Sure, a few times over the years, he’d turned the idea of Megan over in his mind. After all, she was attractive in a sedate sort of way.

  She had long ash-blond hair, pretty green eyes, and a slim body with just enough curves to keep a man interested. Sweet curves that would be soft to the touch, and silky to the taste and—

  Whoa. What in the blazes was he doing? Megan Kendall was one of his best friends, not to mention a woman who actually believed in things like love and marriage. He blinked and mentally tossed a thick, woolen blanket over Megan’s naked body. That would be the end of that.

  “I think Chase should co-chair the committee with Megan,” Leigh announced, bringing Chase’s attention back to the meeting going on around him.

  He glared at Leigh. “What? I don’t have time to co-chair a committee.” He glanced at the city council, the mayor, and finally, at Megan. “Sorry. I’m too busy at the moment.”

  “Everyone is busy,” Earl said. “But you make time for something as important as this.” The mayor leaned forward. “Don’t you want your children to have a nice park to play in someday, Chase?”

  “I don’t have any children, Earl, and I don’t plan on having any.”

  He looked at Megan, whose expression could only be called sad. Great. Just great. Now he’d disappointed her by saying he wouldn’t co-chair the committee. Well, at least he’d found a way to get her to stop picturing him naked.

  “Hold on a minute here,” Leigh said. “It’s your turn to help, Chase Barrett. Trent’s the chief of police, so he does a lot for this town. And Nathan’s computer company supports practically everybody. I’ve volunteered at the senior center, and I’m coming back to town next fall to do my student teaching. It’s your turn to do something to help.”

  A slow, steady throbbing sensation started somewhere in the back of Chase’s brain. Leave it to his sister to put him in an awkward position. “I don’t have the time right now, Leigh. I’ll be happy to make a donation, though.”

  Megan’s expression softened. She forgave him. He knew she forgave him. Naturally, sweet Megan would understand.

  Dang it. Now he felt lower than a rattlesnake’s rump.

  “What would it involve?” he half groaned, wanting to do whatever it took to get out of this room and away from these women.

  “It wouldn’t be much,” Megan told him. “Just help with the carnival and the auction. I’d only need a couple hours of your time for the next few weeks.”

  Like he believed that. A carnival and an auction sounded like a lot of work. “Why do we have to have both?”

  Leigh thwacked him on the arm. “Weren’t you listening? Megan explained that the carnival will bring in the people, then the auction will bring in the big money.”

  Chase frowned at his sister. “Oh.”

  “I’ll be willing to help on this committee if Chase is co-chair,” Janet said from over his shoulder.

  The throbbing in the back of his head grew more intense as several other single women in the room also agreed to help on the committee, that is of course, “if he did, too.”

  “See there, Chase, you’re a popular guy. Lots of folks want to help out if you join in,” Earl said. He glanced at the members of the city council. “I think this sounds like a great plan. Let’s take a vote.”

  Chase wasn’t surprised the council agreed with the mayor. What wasn’t to like? Everyone was happy except for him.

  “I never agreed to help,” he pointed out to Leigh after Megan gathered her things and headed back to sit down.

  “Oh, let it go, Chase. You’re like a neutered hound dog, going on about something that’s long gone,” Leigh said.

  A soft, sexy, feminine laugh floated around him, raising his body temperature. Who in the world... He turned, bumping right into Megan. The smile she gave him was so very unlike the Megan he’d known for years and years.

  Her smile was pure seduction.

  “Trust me, Chase is nothing like a neutered hound dog,” she said softly.

  The water. Something was definitely wrong with the water in this town.

  Did you love Handsome Boss? Then you should read Handsome Rancher by Lori Wilde and Liz Alvin!

  Chase Barrett, is on the bachelor block thanks to his matchmaking sister, Leigh. She's determined to do away with her three overprotective brothers—but in the nicest possible way!

  She's got Megan Kendall finally doing something about her hidden, long-held feelings for Chase—the rancher's always insisted there's no such thing as true love. But will Megan and the Barrett family turn Chase into a true believer instead?

  Handsome Rancher is the first book in the humorous romantic Handsome Devils series by Lori Wilde and Liz Alvin

  Also by Lori Wilde

  Handsome Devils

  Handsome Rancher

  Handsome Boss

  Handsome Lawman (Coming Soon)

  Texas Rascals

  Keegan

  Matt

  Nick

  Kurt

  Tucker

  Kael

  Truman

  Brodie

  Dan

  Rex (Coming Soon)

  Clay (Coming Soon)

  Watch for more at Lori Wilde’s site.

  Also by Liz Alvin

  Handsome Devils

  Handsome Rancher

  Handsome Boss

  Handsome Lawman (Coming Soon)