Chasing Temptation by Payton Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

ignoring his protests.
    When the other woman's gaze landed on them, she rolled them. The track suit swished as she folded her arms over her chest. “What, Marcy?”
    The older woman dragged him another two feet. “Don't mind her. Waiting in line makes her grumpy.” She lowered her voice and whispered behind her hand. “Plus, she's been the same height since the third grade. Short people.”
    She focused back on the woman with a smile on her face. “What did Mack use to sell?”
    Leslie grabbed his free arm. “Would you leave the man alone? I'm sure he doesn't give a flying fig about what Mack used to sell.”
    The crowd seemed to push in closer around them. Okay, maybe not Mayberry.
    “I'm trying to get inside,” he said. “If you two would excuse me?”
    Nate didn't wait for either of them to acknowledge his curt sentence. He successfully squeezed and excused his way inside Hart and Style unharmed and free from more gossip. Searching the store, he released a breath and then heard the glee in Lynne's voice. He followed the sound and spotted her at the cash register.
    He had expected her to sulk for a week or two. Assumed Lynne would consider her options and come to him, tail between her legs. Instead, she saw him, waved and dismissed his presence to focus on the next customer.
    A moment too late he realized his mouth had dropped open. Snapping it shut, he glanced around the shop. It looked the same. No sign had been put up for a sale, but he'd had to elbow his way in. What type of hype did she build overnight? He had to know, because the first three rules of a business take over was Know Thy Enemy.
    Nate excused himself until he stood next to Lynne behind the counter.
    He asked, “What's this?”
    She smiled at him. “Kicking your ass.”
    Lynne pushed a stack of clothes his way. “Might as well help. I doubt your store will be busy today. No more than your minion can handle.”
    He opened his mouth to speak, but she held her hand up to stop him. “The last time I checked, talking didn't fold clothes.”
    Because he needed to know what in the hell was really going on, Nate shut up and helped for the next few hours. She put him to work like he was on her payroll.
    In those hours, not once did she falter. It was like watching an ice skater deliver seamless moves that you knew took days, months, years to perfect. She asked about children's grades, grandparents' health, all the while ringing up purchase after purchase.
    The crowd dwindled as night won the battle over day, and not once did he catch a moment of irritation or exhaustion on Lynne's face at the endless line of customers. She had to be a saint.
    At least twice she had to clear her throat, almost as if reading his thoughts about a particular customer. Only when she finally excused Jeremy, locking the doors behind him, did Lynne truly acknowledge Nate.
    “I could be snarky right now, but I'm just too tired.” She placed her hands on her hips, eyeballing him. She let out a breath, then asked, “Do you want a nightcap?”
    “Yes,” he practically begged.
    She motioned for him to follow her to the office. He collapsed into the chair sitting opposite the desk, like he had that first day, but this time he closed his eyes, silently wishing someone could cut off his feet.
    He heard the clink of ice cubes and didn't ask how ice cubes were possible. He opened his eyes when she grunted. Nate took the glass filled with what looked like scotch and tried not to gulp it.
    “Not used to hard work?” She smirked at him.
    “I work very hard. Just not in suits. Today I hadn't planned on it.”
    “But curiosity got the better of you.” She slid onto the desk, crossing her legs.
    Again, like the first time they’d met, he perused the bare legs, down to her bare feet. A deep red polish graced her toes. He almost reached out to caress them. He gripped the glass in his hand and knocked back the rest.
    His mouth still felt dry, but he felt somewhat steadier. “What I can