Last Diner Standing, page 24
He waited until I was through plopping down plates and syrup amidst the sippy cups and teething rings. Then he nodded a greet- ing. “Miss Strickland, I need to speak with you.”
I strained my brain, but I couldn’t think of a single law I’d vio- lated lately—and by lately, I meant the last couple months. Maybe he was here for my past offenses. If so, I could be in big trouble.
I nervously led him past my boss, Ma, and Roxy, my blue- haired bestie, to the small office in the back. I shut the door behind me and parked my butt on the edge of the dusty, faux wood desk. Determined not to talk first, I waited him out.
He glanced around the room, his eyes sweeping over the metal shelves filled with cleaning supplies and paper products. When he got tired of staring at gallon bottles filled with off-brand Formula 409, his gaze found its way back to me.
“I’d like to have dinner with you this evening, Miss Strickland.
There’s something I need to discuss.”
Whoa. Didn’t see that one coming. Usually he read me the riot act, threatened to lock me up for some lame reason, or interrogated the crap out of me.
“Um,” I said.
“I’ll meet you at Bob’s, an Italian place off Junction County Road. Seven o’clock. It’s a private matter, so discretion is im- portant.” Then he nodded again, pivoted like he was performing a military exercise, and left.
Stunned, I sat there for a couple of minutes and wondered what he could possibly want to discuss with me. And why the need for secrecy? It niggled at me for the rest of the day, like an itch be- tween my shoulder blades I couldn’t quite reach.
So now here I was, at seven on the dot, trying to find him through the dark, stinky cavern of Italian Fineness.
Buy Diner Impossible
Dispelled
They call me an abomination. A mutant. A curse on their kind.
I don’t let it bother me. Much.
My name is Holly James, and what they say is true. I’m a freak of nature—a null. My mere presence zaps the magic from Others, rendering them powerless. That’s why they hate me. But here’s the kicker: I’ve found a way to profit from my lack of mojo.
Whether it’s acting as a mystical wet blanket in a dispute between pyromancers or keeping hormonal shifters from changing during a sweet sixteen party, I provide a highly specialized service. For a hefty fee.
When a young witch turns up dead, clutching an amulet cursed with black magic, my estranged grandfather asks for my help. In return for nullifying the necklace, Gramps promises to find my missing mother—a witch who vanished after my birth. Of course there’s a catch. He wants me to assist Cade McAllister, the arrogant sorcerer in charge of investigating the case.
Cade resents my existence, let alone my attempts to help. Still, I’ll do whatever it takes to find my mom. For my own peace of mind. I have to know what happened to her, and I won’t allow anything to get in my way. Not even this crazy, irrational longing I feel for a hot sorcerer with the sexiest scowl I’ve ever seen.
Praise for Dispelled
“I had read another book about nulls but really enjoyed this one so much more. It kept my interest so well that I spent a whole day reading it in one fell swoop. (During football conference championships too!). Well designed, fleshed out characters in some quirky situations and then more dangerous situations. Can’t wait to read the next one!” – Voracious Reader
“This would have been a good mystery without the magic. With it, it just adds another dimension to the story. I gave it five stars because the story itself was so well written. The heroine is tough and smart.” – Mystery loves history
“First book by the author that I’ve read. Fan-flippin’-tastic. World building? Check! Numerous sidekicks that I liked, identified with, and want to see get a HEA? Check! A hero and heroine that are likeable and relatable? Check! Steamy bits and build up? So many checks! This was a fantastic read.” – Rhawna
Buy Dispelled
His Every Need
Allie Campbell is determined to take care of her family, no matter the cost. But when her father loses their home to British tycoon Trevor Blake, Allie finds herself forced to plead for more time to pay off the loan...and if she has to use her own body as collateral, then so be it.
Trevor isn’t moved by Allie’s story. But when Allie impulsively offers to do anything to keep the house, he’s intrigued enough to raise the stakes: for the next two months, she must cater to his every need, no matter how depraved. To his amazement, she agrees.
Allie has no intention of enjoying her time with the arrogant, domineering Brit, but it doesn’t take long before he’s got her aching for his touch—and he’ll do whatever it takes to make her beg...
Praise for His Every Need
“I was so into it... I read it all in one night so I think that means it’s a winner.” – Diary of an Eager Reader
“Is it possible to give a book more than five stars? If so, this book would be at the top of the list to deserve those extra stars... It’s a wonderful story, full of surprises and love.” – One Final Word
“Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year and possibly ever. The characters are brilliant and the love story is extraordinary; truly a whimsical modern day Beauty and the Beast tale testing the bonds of family and the fragility of love... I’ve been irrevocably enchanted.” – Expressions of a Hopeful Romantic
“From nicknames to bizarre wedding plans, this is a story that will stimulate your funny bone...in between moments of extreme heat.” – Romancing the Book
Buy His Every Need
Terri L. Austin, Last Diner Standing
Thank you for reading books on ReadFrom.Net
Share this book with friends
I strained my brain, but I couldn’t think of a single law I’d vio- lated lately—and by lately, I meant the last couple months. Maybe he was here for my past offenses. If so, I could be in big trouble.
I nervously led him past my boss, Ma, and Roxy, my blue- haired bestie, to the small office in the back. I shut the door behind me and parked my butt on the edge of the dusty, faux wood desk. Determined not to talk first, I waited him out.
He glanced around the room, his eyes sweeping over the metal shelves filled with cleaning supplies and paper products. When he got tired of staring at gallon bottles filled with off-brand Formula 409, his gaze found its way back to me.
“I’d like to have dinner with you this evening, Miss Strickland.
There’s something I need to discuss.”
Whoa. Didn’t see that one coming. Usually he read me the riot act, threatened to lock me up for some lame reason, or interrogated the crap out of me.
“Um,” I said.
“I’ll meet you at Bob’s, an Italian place off Junction County Road. Seven o’clock. It’s a private matter, so discretion is im- portant.” Then he nodded again, pivoted like he was performing a military exercise, and left.
Stunned, I sat there for a couple of minutes and wondered what he could possibly want to discuss with me. And why the need for secrecy? It niggled at me for the rest of the day, like an itch be- tween my shoulder blades I couldn’t quite reach.
So now here I was, at seven on the dot, trying to find him through the dark, stinky cavern of Italian Fineness.
Buy Diner Impossible
Dispelled
They call me an abomination. A mutant. A curse on their kind.
I don’t let it bother me. Much.
My name is Holly James, and what they say is true. I’m a freak of nature—a null. My mere presence zaps the magic from Others, rendering them powerless. That’s why they hate me. But here’s the kicker: I’ve found a way to profit from my lack of mojo.
Whether it’s acting as a mystical wet blanket in a dispute between pyromancers or keeping hormonal shifters from changing during a sweet sixteen party, I provide a highly specialized service. For a hefty fee.
When a young witch turns up dead, clutching an amulet cursed with black magic, my estranged grandfather asks for my help. In return for nullifying the necklace, Gramps promises to find my missing mother—a witch who vanished after my birth. Of course there’s a catch. He wants me to assist Cade McAllister, the arrogant sorcerer in charge of investigating the case.
Cade resents my existence, let alone my attempts to help. Still, I’ll do whatever it takes to find my mom. For my own peace of mind. I have to know what happened to her, and I won’t allow anything to get in my way. Not even this crazy, irrational longing I feel for a hot sorcerer with the sexiest scowl I’ve ever seen.
Praise for Dispelled
“I had read another book about nulls but really enjoyed this one so much more. It kept my interest so well that I spent a whole day reading it in one fell swoop. (During football conference championships too!). Well designed, fleshed out characters in some quirky situations and then more dangerous situations. Can’t wait to read the next one!” – Voracious Reader
“This would have been a good mystery without the magic. With it, it just adds another dimension to the story. I gave it five stars because the story itself was so well written. The heroine is tough and smart.” – Mystery loves history
“First book by the author that I’ve read. Fan-flippin’-tastic. World building? Check! Numerous sidekicks that I liked, identified with, and want to see get a HEA? Check! A hero and heroine that are likeable and relatable? Check! Steamy bits and build up? So many checks! This was a fantastic read.” – Rhawna
Buy Dispelled
His Every Need
Allie Campbell is determined to take care of her family, no matter the cost. But when her father loses their home to British tycoon Trevor Blake, Allie finds herself forced to plead for more time to pay off the loan...and if she has to use her own body as collateral, then so be it.
Trevor isn’t moved by Allie’s story. But when Allie impulsively offers to do anything to keep the house, he’s intrigued enough to raise the stakes: for the next two months, she must cater to his every need, no matter how depraved. To his amazement, she agrees.
Allie has no intention of enjoying her time with the arrogant, domineering Brit, but it doesn’t take long before he’s got her aching for his touch—and he’ll do whatever it takes to make her beg...
Praise for His Every Need
“I was so into it... I read it all in one night so I think that means it’s a winner.” – Diary of an Eager Reader
“Is it possible to give a book more than five stars? If so, this book would be at the top of the list to deserve those extra stars... It’s a wonderful story, full of surprises and love.” – One Final Word
“Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year and possibly ever. The characters are brilliant and the love story is extraordinary; truly a whimsical modern day Beauty and the Beast tale testing the bonds of family and the fragility of love... I’ve been irrevocably enchanted.” – Expressions of a Hopeful Romantic
“From nicknames to bizarre wedding plans, this is a story that will stimulate your funny bone...in between moments of extreme heat.” – Romancing the Book
Buy His Every Need
Terri L. Austin, Last Diner Standing
