Dangerous Secrets by Katie Reus Read Free Book Online Page A

her own, she hadn’t left all luxuries behind. She might have wanted to be independent, but it was mainly about getting out from under her father’s thumb.
    And now she was very grateful she’d brought sexy lingerie. The sheer black satin and silk bra and matching G-string were sure to do the trick. In reality, she knew that by the time they got to the part where their clothes came off, he wouldn’t care what she was wearing. The sexy getup made her feel better though. Since Adam made her a little nervous—in a good way, but nervous nonetheless—she needed to be somewhat in control.
    It had been a couple years since she’d been with a man, and even longer since she’d actually trusted someone implicitly. With Adam, everything seemed different. He was different. He didn’t know who her family was and the desire she’d seen in his eyes—and felt against her abdomen—was all about her. Not money, not power, nothing other than her. That was a turn on in itself.
    Her cell rang, pulling her back to reality. When she saw the number on the caller ID she tensed, but flipped open the phone anyway. It had been too long since she’d talked to her father, and stubborn and meddling as the man was, she missed him.
    “Hey, Dad.”
    “Hi, Izzy. Tired of working in a bar yet?”
    She groaned and fell onto her bed. All the air rushed from the thick duvet and all thoughts of Adam and sexy lingerie disappeared as she stretched out. Would this conversation never change? “Drop it, Dad. If that’s the only reason you called, then I don’t have anything to say to you.”
    He sighed that familiar tired sound and she felt a twinge of guilt. “I just wanted to check on you. I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
    The last words were like a punch to her gut. He might drive her crazy, but they’d always been close. Until recently. Until he’d started trying to invade every aspect of her life and pushing that she take a job with his company and settle down. Then he’d started setting her up with horrid dates. That had been one of the many final straws. Was it really too much to accept that she simply wanted to figure out what she wanted in life on her own?
    “I know Dad, and I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with work but that’s no excuse. How’s Edna? Finally decide to make an honest woman of her?”
    “Izzy, for the last time, there’s nothing going on between us.” His words were practically a growl.
    She bit her lip to hold back a laugh, knowing she’d gotten a rise out of him. She seriously doubted anything had ever happened between him and his assistant, but she loved teasing him about it. “Whatever you say.”
    “I swear child, you didn’t get that imagination from my side of the family.” He chuckled and she could imagine him sitting by his pool with his legs kicked up on a table, sipping a scotch. It was Sunday afternoon and he was a man of habit.
    “So how have you been? Taking your cholesterol medicine?”
    He was silent for a beat too long. “Of course I am.”
    “Do I need to call Edna?”
    “Damn it Izzy, I’m a grown man. I don’t need you checking up on me.”
    She smiled to herself. “See? It’s not fun when someone meddles in your life. Still, I’ll probably put in a call to her anyway because if I know you, you haven’t upped your vegetable intake either.” Though he’d never admit it, he needed someone to take care of him more than she did.
    “What I’m doing is completely different. I just want you to be happy. If you call her—”
    “There’s not a thing you can do. And I simply want you to keep your good health. Can’t have you keeling over before I have grandkids.” She said the last part mainly to hush him up.
    He choked for a second, she guessed on his drink, before continuing. “Grandkids? Is there something I don’t know?”
    Sighing, she sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. “No, there’s not. I’m trying to make a point. You’re still young enough and so am I.