Cautious Lover by Stephanie James Read Free Book Online Page A

life's blood into the firm, my uncle wanted to see it kept intact for the next generation of Trents . He had hopes someone like me or possibly my cousin Dave, or even one of the younger kids, might take charge of the firm someday. Now the rest of the family has decided they want to sell Trentco . We've had a good offer, and they've all had delusions of instant wealth."
    "So the rest of the family is putting pressure on you to vote the controlling block of shares in favor of the sale?"
    "No wonder you were so good in business. You're so fast on your feet."
    Jess grinned. "You are grouchy in the mornings, aren't you? What does Trentco make?"
    " Widgits ."
    He arched one heavy eyebrow. " Widgits ?"
    "You know, little things like switches and wiring and stuff."
      "Oh. Widgits ."
    "Yes. And I'm not going to vote to sell the company because my cousin Dave has shown a serious interest in it. He wants to keep it. He's studying business, and he seems to have an aptitude for that. In a few more years he'll be able to handle it. He has every right to his inheritance. And I've got a couple of little nieces whose mother needs the steady income, although she doesn't always think far enough ahead to realize it. She's too interested in the prospect of quick money."
    "So to protect the inheritaiice all you have to do is hold firm against Aunt Clara and the crowd?"
    "Who all think I'm the typical product of an overly liberal education: An impractical, nonconforming, left-wing dropout of uncertain morals—except that after this morning, Aunt Clara is no longer uncertain about my morals."
    "Because I answered the phone?"
    "Yeah."
    "You should have told her that you were going to marry me."
    "But I don't know that I am going to marry you," Elly retorted very carefully.
    "Sure you are." He leaned across the table and covered her hand. "Nothing has changed. All you have to do is admit that to yourself. Then everything can return to normal."
    "It's because things weren't exactly normal between us that I started getting nervous in the first place!"
      " Hence the big seduction scene last night?'' She flushed, concentrating on her granola. "I'm sure it must have been quite tame as seduction scenes go—I mean, considering what you're accustomed to in that line."
    Jess didn't move, but the change in him was immediate and unmistakable. Elly shifted uneasily, knowing she had gone too far. Involuntarily she looked up to find him staring at her with the depths of winter in his eyes.
    "Believe it or not, your style of seduction was a totally new experience for me. I've never had a woman ask me so sweetly or so honestly to make love to her. I'm used to games in that line, Elly . Not the real thing. I find I like the real thing very much. I'd like another chance."
    Elly lurched to her feet and dropped her dishes into the sink. "I've got to get ready for work, Jess. It's getting late, and you know I have to open the shop at nine. Excuse me while I get dressed. Perhaps I'll, uh, see you later or something," she ended lamely as she hurried toward the door.
    "You know damn well you're going to see me later, Elly ," he said behind her, but she was already halfway to the stairs.
    Some of the old anger and frustration came back as Jess watched Elly vanish. He owed this mess to Marina. Was the woman going to haunt him in one way or another for the rest of his life? Coldly, Jess dampened the threatening waves of fury. Marina was gone. He would not allow her to interfere in his new relationship with Elly .
    Elly was a gentle, reasonable woman. She would calm down and return to her normal, even-tempered self. She just needed a little time. She wouldn't, she couldn't continue to hold the past against him.
    But Jess knew deep down that matters would have been different this morning if Elly's sweet seduction scene last night had been allowed to continue to its conclusion. Everything would have been so much simpler today. Elly would have had the reassurance she needed