DefeatedbyLove by Samantha Kane Read Free Book Online Page B

knew
your circumstances.”
    “I tripped,” she said defensively, glaring at both of them
from between her fingers as she kept her face mostly covered up. “He caught
me.”
    “Oh, he caught you all right.” Daniel picked up his fork and
took a bite, looking thoughtfully between them. He swallowed and pointed at
Simon with his fork. “You should be the one watching her. You obviously like
her.”
    “Watching her?” Simon asked suspiciously. “Why?” He looked
at her for clues but now she was reserving her glare for Daniel alone and Simon
could see nothing.
    “Someone is trying to kill me,” she said dramatically, her
blue eyes wide.
    Simon found himself leaning toward her and stopped with a
mental shake of his head. There was just something about her angelic looks and
inherent flirtatiousness that had hooked him like a fish on a line. She was
just so tiny and fragile and gorgeous. Even filled with another man’s babe. It
wouldn’t be the first time he’d shared space with a baby. He cursed silently at
his wayward thoughts. Clearly he was drunk on her. Right then and there he
swore to the heavens he wouldn’t touch her again. She was not here for that.
There was no possible way his magical cock could solve her dilemma. Which
brought him back to what she’d actually said.
    “What?” he asked in disbelief. He looked accusingly at
Daniel.
    “Well, it isn’t me,” Daniel denied huffily. “Harry’s father
and cousin have taken exception to Mrs. Ashbury’s current condition, what with
Harry’s rather long absence.”
    “You are callous and cruel,” she said with a sniff.
    “I am nothing of the kind,” Daniel said calmly. “I am merely
stating the facts. And you should consider a career on the stage.”
    “You don’t have to be so rough about it,” Simon said with a
frown. He patted Mrs. Ashbury’s hand. Her delicate, soft hand that was even now
sliding closer to him as she gazed at him adoringly. God, he loved that look on
a woman. Or a man. Anyone, really.
    “Hello,” Daniel called out, snapping his fingers in front of
Simon’s face. “Is anyone there?”
    Simon cleared his throat. “Whatever troubles have beset Mrs.
Ashbury are surely not of her making,” he defended her staunchly, desperately
hoping they were indeed of her making and she was looking to cause the same
sort of trouble all over again. With him.
    “Thank you,” she said softly. She smiled at him and he could
have sworn angels sang over her shoulder.
    “Good God,” Daniel drawled. “On second thought, I shan’t be
leaving her alone with you. It’s like leaving the fox in charge of the sheep.”
    “Bleat,” Mrs. Ashbury said unexpectedly and stuck her tongue
out at Daniel.
    Both Daniel and Simon burst out laughing at her unexpected
humor. She joined them. Then to Simon’s dismay she stood up. “On that note,
gentlemen, you’ll have to excuse me. Good morning, Mr. Steinberg, and thank you
once again for your generous hospitality until Harry decides to show up.” She
smiled at Simon and there was an abashed embarrassment about it that dashed his
hopes. She was not the sort of woman to fall into a man’s bed, despite her
current condition. “Thank you, Mr. Gantry, for your company and your defense.
It was a pleasure to meet you. Don’t let Mr. Steinberg bully you into involving
yourself with my troubles.”
    “You bullied me into it,” Daniel sputtered.
    She ignored him and stuck out her hand and Simon grasped it,
wondering if he could hold her here by sheer physical force. But when she
pulled away, he let her go, regret aching in his bones as he watched her walk
out of the room.

Chapter Seven
     
    When the door closed behind Mrs. Ashbury Daniel turned to
glare at Simon. “Stay away from her,” he warned none too gently. “She’s already
brought enough trouble to my door. I plan to see her gone as soon as I can
possibly get her out.”
    Simon shook his head, disbelief written across his face.
“What are the