Heart Matters by tani shane Read Free Book Online Page A

almost leapt out of the cabin
and ten minutes later, the intercom on Jessica’s table buzzed.
“Yes, Ruth?”
    “Tomorrow, ten o’clock on the dot at their
South Gate regional offices. I’ll text you the address,” Ruth
announced triumphantly.
    A quiver of excitement ran down Jessica’s
spine. “Good going, Ruth, I will not ask how you managed that
miracle! Now do me another favor. Get me our sales and growth
records from year one. You might have to sit back late tonight, is
that okay with you?”
    “Of course,” Ruth answered loyally.
    “All right, then, get on it. And ask Lynn to
come up here, will you?”
    By late evening, having discussed her plans
with Lynn, she tucked a precious folder under her arm and headed
home.
    Tomorrow was an important day for ‘Jess-C
Creations’ and she hoped to be well prepared to meet all the
queries put across to her. It wasn’t easy to convince one of the
shrewdest businessmen in the country that you and your company were
worth a great deal. But she had to take up the challenge. This
could be very well her last hope of salvation and she intended to
make Steven Hart her savior.

Chapter Two

    A strange sensation crept through the realms
of Jessica’s subconscious mind and she awoke with a start. Her eyes
flew open as her mouth was claimed in a deep kiss. She wrenched her
mouth away gasping. “Adam! You scared me! When did you get in from
New York?”
    “Not long ago,” Adam murmured nuzzling at
her throat. “I thought you were asleep.”
    “I was until someone tried to ravish me,”
she replied, her hands pressing on his shoulders to hold him back.
He tried to kiss her again but she was already sitting up. She
flicked on the lamp by her bedside, flinching as the bright light
lit the room. She looked at the alarm clock on the side table and
groaned. “Adam, it’s 3 a.m.!”
    Light hazel eyes grinned back at her even as
Adam reached out for her. “Perfect time for making love. C’mere,
sexy.” He tried pushing her back on the bed but she resisted.
    “Adam, no!”
    “I can’t take no for an answer, sweetheart,
not tonight,” he whispered hoarsely, claiming her mouth in a hungry
kiss. His fingers reached for the strings holding her flimsy
nightdress and she felt them fall apart.
    Jessica panicked, tearing her mouth away.
“Adam, stop it! I don’t…”
    He didn’t stop. His hands reached to cup her
breasts while his mouth sought the hollow between them. Jessica
went stiff with shock. This was what Jake had done. He had forced
himself on her and left her with memories that ran deeper than any
scar ever could.
    “No!” she screamed out aloud twisting
desperately out of Adam’s arms.
    Adam released her abruptly and pushed away.
He strode to the window breathing deeply trying to regain his
composure. When he was finally sure of himself, his cold eyes
turned upon her shaking form. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why
does it have to be like this every time? Why, Jessi?” he roared,
“Why?”
    Jessica winced at his words. “I told you I
need time,” she said shakily, “You know how I ..feel about it.”
    “ It stands for sex , damn it!”
he bellowed coming back to grab her by her shoulders and shake her
roughly. “ It happens between every healthy male and female
of all species!”
    Jessica squirmed under his punishing grasp.
“You’re hurting me, Adam. Please!” she beseeched him and his hold
softened suddenly.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, taking her in his arms
to bury his face in her tresses. “Oh, Jessi, if only you realized
how damned gorgeous you are! When will you trust me darling? I
won’t hurt you.”
    The softness in his voice calmed Jessica.
She raised her ashen face to him, begging him with her eyes. “Adam,
I know I’m testing your patience but please understand; I need more
time.” She placed her palm on his cheek and brushed her lips
lightly across his. “Besides we’ll be married soon and then things
will work out.”
    A mirthless