Forbidden by Pat Warren Read Free Book Online

that house just past the rocky point?” Adam asked as he pointed toward shore. “The one with the lighted walk leading
     from the veranda to the sandy beach? A man named Reid owns it. I used to caddy for him summers when I was working at the golf
     club during my high school days. His wife had died, and he was lonely. He’d invite me over occasionally for lunch. The house
     is wonderful, with solid oakfloors and this great winding staircase. I don’t know why, but I fell in love with that old place, and I’ve wanted to own
     one just like it ever since.”
    She studied his profile in the moonlight, not mentioning that her parents’ home was perhaps a half a mile from the Reid house,
     that she’d grown up in the area. Adam had had to struggle in his youth, she knew. Yet now he drove an expensive sports car,
     had a snazzy boat, and lived in a pricey apartment. “You probably will. You seem to be the kind of person who usually gets
     what he wants.”
    He turned to face her. “Do you think I’ll win the election?”
    “Yes.”
    He laughed. “Just like that? Unconditional faith?”
    “Not exactly. I’ve studied your opponent, and he’s not nearly as dedicated as you are. Nor as honest.”
    “Politics is a tough game. My father had talked about running for office one day. He was a brilliant attorney with a bright
     future. He could have gone far, if only…” He couldn’t finish the thought.
    “I understand he died when you were young.”
    The memory slammed into him, painful as always. He averted his head so she wouldn’t notice. “Yes, he did.”
    It wasn’t something he talked about ever, or thought about often. His father, the dazzling lawyer with the golden future,
     who’d fallen so hard for a beautiful woman that he’d abandoned his family and turned his back on his career, finally taking
     his own life. Adam wondered if he would ever get past the pain and learn to accept what had happened that long-ago summer
     night.
    When he had himself under control again, he turned to her with a change of subject. “How well do you know Richard Fairchild?”
    “I’ve known him for years. He’s a friend of the family.”
    “I could be wrong, but I got the impression he’d like to be more than friends with you.”
    He saw things many people missed, with those sharp, assessing eyes. She saw no reason to be evasive. “No, you’re not wrong.”
     Lately Richard had hinted of his growing interest, but she hadn’t encouraged him.
    “And how do you feel about him?”
    “I’m content to have us remain friends.”
    Her answer pleased him. “Do you know why I brought you out here, Liz?”
    She went with her first thought. “To seduce me where I can’t run away?”
    He smiled, slow and lazy. “Liz, when we make love, no one will be seducing. We’ll both want it.” He eased closer, raising
     a hand to stroke her cheek. “I brought you out here because I wanted to be alone with you—really alone—with no one demanding
     my attention or yours. No bright lights or noisy people, just the silent sea and the open sky—and you and I sharing the quiet.”
    She felt the trembling begin deep inside as she noted that he’d said “when” they made love, not “if.” “Are you always so sure
     of yourself? What if I say I don’t want you?”
    “Are you used to lying to yourself?”
    He could read her like a very easy book, and that annoyed her.
    “I also brought you here so I could kiss you with no distractions.” Before she could respond, his mouth took hers.
    She didn’t want to kiss him back, to give him the satisfaction. But her traitorous body overrode her weak determination. His
     tongue moved into her mouth, and the trembling increased. Without her permission, her arms went around him and her lips opened
     to him. Liz felt her world tilt, and it had nothing to do with the swaying of the boat.
    When Adam lifted his head, he felt less than steady himself. The jolt of his own reaction surprised him.