Dancing with Deception by Avery Gale Read Free Book Online Page B

only a curse when you try to lie to yourself and those around you. Don’t ever try to change who you are.” She nodded her acknowledgment of his words but knew if she spoke there would be no way to contain the emotion.
    The entire evening had been a roller coaster ride and she could feel the crash coming—and she certainly didn’t want to hit bottom in front of these men. “I know this conversation isn’t finished, but the truth is I’m not sure I can finish it tonight. It’s been an emotional day, and I need to step back and regroup.” Looking at each man individually, she noted the differences in their expressions and she was pleased they weren’t trying to mask their feelings. Nate looked at her like a concerned older brother, it was remarkably similar to the look she’d seen in Phoenix’s eyes during their collaboration on her security system. Tonight Phoenix’s look was more compassionate as if he sensed how close she was to an emotional edge.
    But it was the similar looks on Brandt and Ryan’s faces that sent blazing sexual heat coursing through her system. She remembered meeting Ryan at a party several weeks before the debacle that sent her life into a tailspin. He’d had the same look in his eyes that night, but he’d been working so they hadn’t been able to act on their mutual attraction. They’d only spoken briefly, but had managed to exchange contact information. From what she heard later, he’d left the country a few days after the party for an assignment in England, and before he’d returned she’d fled. There was definitely something unfinished between them, the attraction was undeniable, but it was also unsettling because she would be lying to herself to deny her attraction to Brandt.
    Brandt’s intensity was a force in itself…something a person had to experience to really understand. Their sexual chemistry was off the chart, but it was his underlying air of protectiveness that called to her. She’d seen it time and time again in his dealings with the citizens of Pine Creek. Despite his gruff exterior, everyone she’d met seemed to respect him. They’d all cited his military service, but there were also added tidbits about how he’d gone out of his way to help someone. Hell, she’d heard all about the hometown hero before they’d even met. She’d half expected him to be dressed in some sort of superhero costume and his entrance heralded by a dramatic sound tract. The day he’d walked in to the drug store in faded jeans, scuffed boots, and a flannel shirt, Joelle felt as if the air in the room had suddenly become electrified and she hadn’t even been introduced to him yet.
    The resemblance between Brandt and his brothers was strong enough that she’d been fairly certain he was one of the Morgan brothers. But, since she hadn’t met them all at that point, she wasn’t certain which one he was because he hadn’t been in uniform. But as she watched him walk toward the counter where she was standing, the afternoon sun backlighting him, everything inside her went still. His eyes were locked on hers, and even though she didn’t know why he was there, Joelle knew at that moment he was going to be important to her in some way. Even now, thinking back Joelle remembered how strongly she’d been attracted to him, and how the air around her had seemed to sizzle in anticipation as he approached her.
    She’d felt the same electrically charged zing tonight during their scene. He’d tailored the scene to match her offense rather than simply administering a spanking or caning. Instead of doing what would have been easier and more expedient, Brandt had taken the time to get into her head, forcing her to face two fears that had been holding her back in club play for years. No other Dom had ever been able to get into her head. Hell, none of the Doms she’d played with had come even remotely close to earning her emotional submission. Surrendering her body to the moment had always been easy,