Free Denys, Jennifer - Friendly Seduction [Friends and Acquaintances 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Jennifer Denys

supposed to simulate the bounty hunters.
    She laughed.
    “Hey, you’re not supposed to laugh.” He opened the door wider to let her in, trying to wonder why she reacted that way when his sole intention had been to look manly. And I thought I was beginning to understand women.
    As she entered, she said over her shoulder, “I’m only laughing because it could be anyone at your door—for instance, someone from a religious group trying to save your soul.” She turned round to examine him again. “And judging by that outfit, it needs saving badly!”
    Closing the door he grinned. “But I knew it was you, sweetheart. Remember this is the future, and I have video cameras trained on the entrance.”
    She looked startled. “Do you?”
    “Twit, I’m kidding. Try to get into character, Felissa ,” he requested sarcastically but grinned as he did, indicating with a hand for her to go into the lounge.
    “Ah, yes,” she called, moving as requested. “But in order to get into character, I need to know which one you are—Garin or Rayn?”
    It was his turn to be startled. “Why? Both of them made love to you, and you enjoyed each. Didn’t you? Now I’m getting confused.”
    “ You are? How do you think I feel? I’m being made love to by two virtual men. Actually, I think it would help your book if you gave them really different characters. I’m always amazed by those authors who write multi-relationship scenes and manage to make the reader know exactly who is who. I suppose that’s a sign of a good writer.”
    Having reached the lounge, she flung herself onto a cushion on the floor, her back to a chair.
    Standing with his arms folded, he leaned back against the door to consider what she was saying. “That was my intention, but I can see they need to be very different to avoid confusing the reader as to which one is making love to her.”
    “Yup—so we already know Garin is attracted to Felissa but tried resisting it because he is taking her back to her owner. Whereas Rayn came on the scene later and just fell for her straightaway regardless of circumstances. I’d say that means Rayn is more fun-loving, less introspective person.”
    Matt moved into the room and eased himself into the armchair opposite her. It wasn’t easy. Leather isn’t as pliable as he thought. “Good analysis. What about making their looks different?”
    “Good idea. We already know Garin is tall. He also needs to be dark—hair and eyes, maybe swarthy-looking.”
    He frowned. “Why him and not Rayn?”
    “Because that fits in with the idea that he is brooding.”
    “Hm. Okay, I’ll go with that.” He leaned back and looked up to the ceiling in thought. “What about Rayn? Let’s make him fair, not so tall, smiles more often.”
    “He’ll need to be stubble-faced. Fair-haired men who have stubble on their faces look rakish and dashing whereas dark-haired men with stubble just look hard and mean, which is fine if you want a baddie or a hero who lives on the edge.” Matt turned to stare down at her perched as she was on the floor. She looked up at him when he didn’t respond. “Well, they do!”
    “You continue to astonish me with your analysis of our characters.”
    A blush came over her face, and she seemed to smile in delight at his comment of their shared characters.
    He continued, “Do you do this with films and TV as you do with books?”
    She ducked her head, her hair falling over her face. The sun was setting through the window behind her, and he could see red highlights glinting in her hair. “I’m actually thinking about real-life men.”
    Matt brought his attention back to what she was saying and narrowed his eyes. “Well, I’m often stubble-faced, particularly when I’m deep into a story and forget to shave, and I’m on the fair side of brown hair. Does this mean I’m rakish-looking?”
    Lissa lifted her flushed face and grinned. “Most decidedly!”
    “Oh, God. Does that mean the rest of your group think that,