Distracted by her Virtue by Maggie Cox Read Free Book Online Page A

to escape from. You told me that you’re a widow but that you aren’t sorry about the fact. I’m not asking you to reveal the details about what happened right now, but all I’ll say is that if you’ve been hurt by someone I don’t intend for you to be hurt again by people’s narrow-minded suspicions.’
    ‘I see.’
    Whilst she’d already told him that she didn’t need him to act as her protector, Sophia couldn’t deny the wave of warmth that his compassionate defence stirred inside her. It was an exhilarating feeling, and she wondered what she had done to deserve it. Having dealt with her problems single-handedly for so long, it was irresistibly comforting to have someone exhibit compassion towards her.
    Just when Jarrett seemed about to make another plea for them to leave, she lifted a slender brow, smiled, and asked lightly, ‘Does our little trip to the seaside include food? It’s just that you’re dragging us away from that incredible-looking feast up there on the patio and I’m feeling rather hungry.’
    ‘I’ll treat you both to a five course meal at a swanky restaurant, if that’s any inducement?’
    ‘You don’t need to go that far. Charlie and I are extremely partial to a bit of fish and chips at the seaside.’
    With a cheeky grin that squeezed Jarrett’s heart, Sophia swept past him to inform her son about the sudden change of plans.
    Not only had Sophia collected her camera by the time Jarrett had followed her and Charlie home in his Range Rover, but she’d also picked up her son’s swim-trunks, towel, and a bucket and spade.
    When they got to the beach she made a foray into the frigid sea in her rolled-up jeans and shirt—with a shrieking Charlie splashing about beside her—whilst Jarrett stood barefoot in the sand calmly watching them, declaring that they must be mad to even
think
of immersing themselves in such freezing cold water. Though she didn’t turn round to check, Sophia sensed his eyes on her as though they were twin suns burning into her skin. Just the thought of him observing her was enough to make her temperature rise, despite the cold of the sea.
    To distract herself from the realisation, she dipped her hands into the water, spun round and aimed what she’d collected at Jarrett. The water hit him straight in the face.
    ‘I can’t believe you just did that.’ He rubbed at his dripping eyelids and scowled.
    Laughing out loud at his shocked expression, Sophia couldn’t prepare herself for his reaction. Never mind that he was going to get soaked, Jarrett raced up besideher, grabbed her by the waist and lifted her high into his arms.
    Charlie could scarcely contain his delight. ‘What are you going to do with my mummy, Mr Jarrett?’ he squealed.
    ‘All’s fair in love and war, Charlie.’ Directing the comment at Sophia, Jarrett gave her an unashamedly roguish grin.
    Her heart thumped in alarm when she realised that he was probably going to dump her fully clothed into the sea, so she fastened her arms round his neck and made her expression as fierce as she was able. ‘Don’t you
dare
! If you do I’ll take you with me, I swear!’
    ‘That’s a puny threat. I’m twice your size. You’re hardly strong enough to take me down with you.’
    ‘Try me!’ Sophia warned.
    But as her furious gaze locked with his the volatile tenor of the situation changed completely to something far more exciting and disturbing to her peace of mind. His nearness, along with the sexily musky aroma of his cologne, made her feel dangerously weak. Not just weak but
aroused …
Straight away she saw by Jarrett’s darkened pupils that she was having the same effect on him.
    ‘Maybe I’ll save the dunking for another day,’ he commented huskily, then abruptly returned her to her feet and the freezing water that lapped the shore.
    Murmuring, ‘In your dreams …’ to hide her embarrassment, Sophia directed her full attention back to her son. ‘Come on, Charlie, let’s run towards the