Finished by Claire Kent Read Free Book Online

anyway—intentionally.”
    “Why are you so uptight, Julia? It was a joke. Male bonding. He didn’t think a thing about it. I promise he likes me.”
    “I don’t care if he likes you. I want him to respect me as a professional. Not think about my sex life. I told you—”
    “If you want a whipped lapdog as a date, next time you can take Mike.” Drayton never lost his temper, but she could tell from the bite of his tone that he was annoyed.
    Her rage surged forward at his insult of Mike, and she whirled around and walked away so she wouldn’t attempt to strangle him in front of the gathered guests.
     He didn’t try to follow her, and she wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or disappointed. She went to the bathroom to cool down and then chatted with some friends and got another glass of white wine.
    She was feeling more herself—and ready to accept an apology—when she went in search of Drayton again.
    She had some trouble finding him. She searched the patio, and then the great room, and then the kitchen, and then the den adjoining the entryway. Guests were scattered everywhere, but she saw no sign of Drayton.
    Finally, she asked around and someone mentioned seeing him heading toward the library.
    Stewing again at the evils of charming, over-indulged sex-gods, Julia went back to the library and home office to investigate. Guests hadn’t spilled over to the back hallway, so she couldn’t imagine what Drayton was doing in this wing of the house.
    Surely he hadn’t gone off alone to pout. That wasn’t like him at all.
    As she approached the half-opened door, she heard soft voices. So she slowed down and walked carefully so her heels wouldn’t clip on the hardwood floor.
    “There was no underlying agenda. My date is a vice-president in the company. He brought me to the party. It’s perfectly harmless.”
    Julia felt her hands and feet grow cold at the sound of the lilting, female voice. And she knew exactly whom she would see even before she got close enough to peek through the cracked door.
    The gorgeous woman with the sleek, black hair falling down to her waist and the kind of long legs Julia had always dreamed of having.
    “You must have known there was a chance I would be here too,” Drayton said. “You know Julia works for this company. And you came anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if you arranged your ‘date’ on purpose.”
    He was angry. Julia could tell from the cool hauteur of his tone and expression.
    “Believe it or not, I don’t arrange my life around you.”
    “I’m not the fool you take me for. I’m here with Julia tonight. We’d arranged to meet later tonight.”
    Julia’s heart had clenched up painfully when she saw who Drayton was talking to, and now it felt frozen in her chest. Her vision blurred a little, and she felt kind of dizzy.
    “I know. I was looking forward to getting together later, and that has nothing to do with my being here now. Your Julia is a lovely girl, but she seemed a little pissed at you. Perhaps she and I should have a little chat.”
    Julia had never seen Drayton lose control—or even lose the upper-hand in a conversation. But he was losing it now. His fists were clenched at his side while the woman remained relaxed, almost insouciant. “Is that a threat?” he gritted out. “What possible purpose could you have in making it?”
    She shrugged. “Just for fun, of course. I’ve never seen you this riled up before. Has this girl actually gotten to you? Or is it that delicious hunk of a man you also share your bed with?”
    “I’ll ask you one more time. Why are you here?”
    “It’s exactly as I told you. My date brought me here. Believe it or not, it wasn’t to admire your delectable ass.” The woman let out a rippling laugh. “Now you want to clobber me, but it’s really yourself you’re angry with. You’re going to have to tell her—tell them both—someday, you know.”
    “That day is not today.”
    “You’re a fool. And you’re only