Instructing an Heiress by Judy Teel Read Free Book Online Page A

camouflaged in the paneling that covered the back wall of her office. Snagging several pieces of crushed ice, he pressed them to the back of his neck.
    The cold bit into his skin and he sucked in a breath. Disgust over his reaction finished him off and after a moment, he had himself under control.
    It wasn't so much that he wanted CK, he reasoned as his mind cleared. It was more the impact of finding out she was, well, a girl. Not that he didn't know that, but, damn it, this was CK. CK with assets.
    Ones he could use to accomplish his goal, he reminded himself. He needed to focus on how he could take advantage of her aversion to showing off what would clearly get her a lot of attention.
    He threw the half-melted ice into the sink and grabbed one of the neatly folded hand towels from the basket next to it. He was CK's friend and it was his duty to stop her from making the worst mistake of her life. Random, lust-filled blackouts hadn't changed that.  
    Ryan fingered the jacket in his other hand. Although they did make him less willing to expose her to other guys swallowing their tongues.
    If he could find a way to show her what dogs most men were without actually having her interact with them, that might be enough. All under the guise of feminine wiles 101, of course.  
    A smile tugged at his mouth and relief eased through him. He knew just the place to take her that night.  

    *   *   *
    CK barreled out of her office, fury burning through her like a wildfire. Her hair bounced around her shoulders, reminding her with every step of the humiliation Ryan had put her through.
    She felt naked without her jacket. Vulnerable. She didn't like it one little bit. And the way he'd stared at her! Playing around and testing her was one thing, but the look on his face? That had taken male mojo to a whole new frightening level.  
    His eyes had seemed to burn straight through her clothes like she wasn't even wearing any. She'd seen that expression on him plenty of times, but never directed at her. Always it was other women, girls he casually seduced and then ignored when he moved on to his next conquest.
    She would not be another notch in his belt, despite the way her stomach had flipped over like a hot coal when he'd touched her breast. A quiver of excitement skated through her belly. She mentally slapped it away.  
    She was smarter than this. Smarter than all those other women who fell for his seduction and then had their hearts broken. She was the one still standing. She was the one he checked on when she was sick, and had dinner with on Sunday, and joked around with. A little spat of insanity was not going to ruin that for her.
    Farley glanced up from her computer and a slow grin spread over her face. "Heard you two arguing. Didn't know it had gone so far."
    "So far as what?" CK grumped, gathering up the rest of the contract copies from Farley's desk
    One dark brow lifted higher. "Do I have to spell it out for you?"
    "Nothing happened."
    "Something did. Where's your jacket?" Farley asked.
    "I was hot."
    "So's Ryan. Come on, tell me everything."
    "I decided a change might be nice. Are the Wayland's here, yet?"
    The elevator door opened and Steve and Mr. Wayland stepped off.  
    "Yes," Farley said, making no attempt to suppress her smile as she turned back to her computer. Somedays, CK really didn't know why she kept her on.
    The Waylands strode toward her, both men close to six feet with dark brown eyes and square, solid faces. Steve's short hair was thick and dark brown. His father's was gray and he kept it a little shaggy around the ears and neck. Where Steve was lanky and slim, his father was more beefy, his middle clearly reflecting decades of good living.  
    They crossed the reception area, smiles at the ready. When they caught site of CK, their steps stuttered, slowing until they came to a dumbfounded stop in front of her.
    Mr. Wayland's gaze warmed with appreciation as it slid over CK. She forced out a welcoming smile.