Falling For His Proper Mistress by Tessa Radley Read Free Book Online Page A

father’s death evoked.
    â€œAt Jarrod Manor,” she replied, a little drowsily.
    â€œSo am I.”
    Avery stiffened under the stroke of his fingers. “Oh.”
    â€œRelax,” he said. “It’s the largest lodge. No danger of finding me—unless you want to.” He didn’t add that he was staying in one of the family suites on the top floor, which had their own card-access elevator. There was little chance of Avery’s finding his suite by accident.
    â€œBut you only need to ask reception to find out where I’m staying—you’re a Jarrod, they’d tell you whatever you wanted.”
    His hands stilled. “Do you want me to ask?”
    â€œNo!”
    The water swirled around her as she moved in agitation. For a brief instant Guy caught a glimpse of pale pink nipple before she hastily sank beneath the bubbling water.
    â€œOn second thought, you probably don’t even need to ask, do you? You’d have access to all the computer and reservation systems—and key cards.”
    â€œI’d never enter your room—or any guest’s room—without an invitation.” Guy was appalled by her assumption that he’d abuse his position—or the privacy of a guest. “You’d have to ask.”
    â€œPromise?”
    The look she slanted up at him almost undid him. “Yes!”
    She relaxed with a sigh, her head dropping back against the lip of the bath, the candlelight giving her blonde hair a rich patina. “I believe you.”
    I believe you. Her instant trust caused a rush of elation. Wordlessly, he rubbed his fingers in little circles along the apex of her shoulders, seeking out the tell-tale knots, massaging them. Her flesh was soft and supple beneath his fingers, and he savored the subtle, flowery scent that clung behind her ears, released by the sultry, heat of the steam, tempting him to set his lips against the silken skin.
    Guy let out the breath he’d been holding. The tendrils at her nape lifted, and a rush of gooseflesh danced across her skin.
    Unable to resist, he bent his head and placed his mouth against her nape.
    Avery gave an audible gasp.
    But no objection followed. He parted his lips and planted a row of open-mouthed kisses on her water-dewed skin, aware of the sound of her quickening breathing. His hands slippedforward around the curve of her body, and his fingers trailed over the soft, rounded mounds of her breasts.
    She drew a sharp, jagged breath.
    â€œAvery,” he whispered, “invite me to join you in that damned tub.”

Four
    T he one thing that Avery had learned about Guy in the month she’d shared his apartment in New York was that every inch of his body was pure, sinful temptation…and she was incapable of resisting any of it.
    Tonight was no exception.
    But tonight she knew exactly what she was doing…knew that this was not about dreams—only desire…and getting over Guy. She’d think of it as therapy.
    â€œJoin me?” she invited, her pulse skittering. “There’s plenty of space.”
    â€œI thought you’d never ask.”
    He was already on his feet. The jeans and T-shirt he wore were discarded in a flash. He kicked off his boxers, and stepped into the tub.
    Once he stood inside, the tub shrank. He was tall and big…six feet one inch of honed male muscle. Aroused male muscle, Avery noted with an awed, heart-stopping glance. Hernipples peaked. Her pulse picked up, and the air surrounding them became heavy with unspoken messages.
    Perhaps this hadn’t been such a good idea, after all.
    But it was too late to undo the dare she’d instigated the moment she’d dropped that robe. If she told him she’d made a mistake, he’d laugh. Or accuse her of being a tease.
    Her best choice was to tough it out. A few minutes of polite, uneasy silence, then she could chicken out with dignity, climb out the tub, say goodnight, and that would