Desire Part Three (The Desire Series Book 3) by Ava Alexia Read Free Book Online Page A

little higher and got some downward shots of the water descending into the lake. She had an idea of super-imposing the waterfall behind the exterior of the large gazebo on the property. It would make an amazing picture and she couldn’t wait to get into her darkroom and make it all come to life. She took several shots of the surrounding area then climbed down to the ground. She met up with Jaclyn who had taken her shoes off and was wading in the warm water.
    “You just couldn’t resist, could you?” Tess chuckled.
    “Nope. I wish I had my bathing suit. I’m dying to go for a swim under the falls,” Jaclyn said.
    “We’ll come back and have a picnic here,” Tess said.
    “Fabulous,” Jaclyn said.
    “We had better head back while we still have some light to find our way,” Tess suggested.
    “Okay,” Jaclyn agreed.
    They began their trek back.

Chapter 4
    For the next three days Tess focused on her work while Jaclyn enjoyed sunbathing, sleeping, reading or shopping in the village. Tess accompanied her into the village for dinner one evening and they met some of the locals who invited them to go dancing. It had been a fun night full of good conversation and laughter. They were giggling about something ridiculous that had transpired that night when they entered the salon. They stopped laughing abruptly when they saw who stood in the middle of the room with a drink in their hand.
    “Matt!” Tess exclaimed.
    “That’s the name my mother gave me,” he smiled.
    “When did you get here?” Tess asked happily.
    “A little while ago. Ana told me you had gone out for dinner,” he explained.
    Tess smiled radiantly.
    “I’m glad you’re here,” she responded. She gestured to Jaclyn. “This is my best of friends Jaclyn Harrington.”
    Matt moved forward to extend his hand to her.
    “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Jaclyn,” Matt greeted.
    “The sentiment is reciprocated. My friends call me Jax. I hope we can be friends as well,” Jaclyn smiled as she shook his hand.
    Matt looked at Jaclyn in surprised. Then he leveled a shrewd look of comprehension at Tess. Tess became fidgety and wouldn’t meet his eye. Jaclyn noticed the undercurrents and wondered what was going on between them. She decided to make a quick exit. She would question Tess about it the following day.
    “Well, I am bushed. I think I’ll turn in,” Jaclyn said brightly. She looked at Matt. “It was great meeting you. You have a fabulous home.”
    “Thank you, Jax,” he returned.
    It seemed to Tess that he placed extra emphasis on her name Jax.
    “Goodnight,” Jaclyn said.
    “Goodnight,” Matt and Tess said simultaneously.
    Jaclyn left the room and Tess made an attempt to do the same thing.
    “I think I’ll go to bed as well,” she said.
    She turned to leave but immediately felt an iron grip on her arm.
    “Not so fast, Tess. You have some explaining to do,” Matt said.
    “Explaining?’ Tess questioned.
    She knew playing dumb would get her nowhere but it was worth a try.
    “You deliberately led me to believe that Jax was a man,” he said softly.
    His grip on her arm had loosened.
    “No. I just didn’t say who Jax was,” she defended.
    “It’s the same thing. You knew I thought she was a man and you didn’t clarify,” he said remonstrated.
    Tess sighed.
    “I guess I did. But you were being an arrogant bully and needed to be brought down a peg or two,” she said. “Thinking I was seeing another man popped your over inflated ego.”
    “I wasn’t being a bully,” he argued.
    “Oh yes you were. You wanted to dictate my every move; which was ridiculous since you barely knew me,” she retorted. “I wanted to strike back and I did.”
    He looked down into her lovely cherry eyes and his vexation evaporated. All he wanted to do swim in the warm pool of her eyes. He hands began to glide along her smooth, supple arms.
    “I’m sorry for deceiving you. I shouldn’t have done so,” she said apologetically.
    “It doesn’t