A Demonic Bundle by Angie Fox, Lexi George Kathy Love Read Free Book Online Page B

too, but decided she might seem desperate. And Ava Wells wasn’t desperate.
    Addy Wellmeyer was desperate though. And Addy did not want to be alone. Addy wanted this man.
    She wandered over to the nightstand to finish off her glass of vinegary wine. Not that she really noticed the flavor. Or cared. She just wanted the mellow feeling the alcohol would eventually give her.
    “Could I have some more?”
    “Of course.” Charlie appeared almost relieved by her request. He came forward and took her plastic glass. Their fingers touched briefly and her body was right back to burning intensely for him. It was amazing, and a little disturbing.
    “I’ll—um—get that for you,” he said, and it was heartening to see that the mere touch had affected him too.
    He took the few steps to leave the room, then paused in the doorway, glancing at her over his shoulder as if he wanted to say something more. But instead he just nodded and disappeared out of the room.
    Once he was gone, Ava collapsed onto the edge of the bed. What was she doing? How was this going to help her situation in the least? Well, it wasn’t; that was the answer. But she really didn’t care. She liked being around this man. Charlie—she even liked his name—made her feel like the person she’d once been. She didn’t want that feeling to stop. But of course, it would have to eventually.
    Finola White would never agree to her star supermodel dating a lowly mailroom clerk. If he even wanted to date her. Finola owned her, lock, stock and barrel. And Finola chose who she dated. Finola chose everything.
    She considered getting up from the bed, but instead found herself sliding back against Charlie’s soft pillows. She curled onto her side and allowed herself for a moment to imagine what it would be like to date a man like Charlie. To share this comfy bed in this cozy little room.
    Now she wondered why she’d had such big dreams, and had done the unthinkable to attain them. Now she just wanted to go back to simple dreams, a home, a family, a person who loved her for herself, and happiness.
    Too bad those dreams were now as unobtainable as she’d once believed the jet-set lifestyle, wealth and fame of being a professional model was.
    But just for a moment, she was going to close her eyes and pretend she had the simple dream. Simple happiness with a good man at her side.
     
    Charlie finished pouring a glass of wine for Ava, then braced his hands on the counter and closed his eyes. What was going on here? Ava Wells was in his apartment . . . in his bedroom, apparently willing to have sex with him and he’d turned her down. What the hell was wrong with him?
    But he knew the answer. He’d been honest when he’d called a halt to their kiss—and what might have followed. He didn’t want her regretting anything she did tonight.
    He groaned, wishing just for a moment, he could be a selfish jerk.
    But he couldn’t. He was doing the right thing, and he could certainly control his libido—as uncomfortable as it might be.
    He pulled in a deep breath, then opened his eyes. This was a woman who had something very real bothering her, and she needed a sympathetic friend more than a one-night stand.
    Which really sucked, but he was a gentleman—unfortunately.
    He braced himself, because his body wasn’t feeling nearly as gentlemanly as his mind. He forced a calm expression and headed back into his tiny living room, sure that Ava would be out of there by now. But she wasn’t.
    He frowned, then turned toward the bathroom. The door was open and the light out. That meant she still remained in the bedroom.
    He wanted to groan again. He had to be honest—he didn’t know how much temptation he could take.
    He moved slowly, reluctant to be back in his closet-sized bedroom with a woman he was more attracted to than any woman he could recall. Ever. He took one more deep breath, then entered the room.
    Ava lay on her side, cuddled down among his pillows like some rich golden jewel