Lust and Bound by W. Lynn Chantale Read Free Book Online Page A

his body.
    “You okay?” He smoothed her hair from her face.
    She nodded.
    “Good. Let’s get off here. The candy store isn’t that far.”
    ****
    The candy store, Sir John Bennett’s Sweet Shoppe, overflowed with people, mostly parents with children all screaming for some sort of sugary confection. Zach cast a baleful eye over the group.  The door was being propped open by a skinny teenager texting on his phone. The youth bobbed his head up and down as his thumbs flew across the screen.
    Zach turned to Trisha, who fanned herself with a pamphlet. He drifted his gaze over her, and frowned. Her face, shoulders and arms were a little red.
    “Maybe I should get you in the shade.”
    She pushed her sunglasses on the top of her head, dislodging a few sweat dampened curls. Mischief danced in her honey almond eyes. “I think there’s a few too many people around for you to take advantage of me.”
    He chuckled. Unable to resist he reached out a hand, rubbing the strands between his thumb and index finger. Pure silk. He allowed the curl to drop before brushing a caress along her shoulder. Her skin was soft, but hot. She flinched.
    “You’re sunburned.”
    Trisha held out her arms, her delectable lips curving downward. “Well, I guess I am.”
    Zach glanced around, cupped her elbow and propelled her to a nearby pavilion. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” He waited until she was seated before he spun on his heel, berating himself for not having noticed earlier, and walked away. Her skin was so light he should’ve realized she’d burn without protection. He crossed to a lemonade stand and waited in line.  Drink purchased, he hurried across the street.
    She lifted a brow when he returned with a cup and a straw in hand.
    “Drink this.”
    She slipped the straw between her lips and he sighed. He could recall the silken feel of her mouth sliding over his erection, an event that was cut far too short and he wanted to experience again. What he wouldn’t give to be that straw right now.
    “You’re not feeling faint are you?” His voice was a little rougher than he wanted.
    She allowed the straw to slip from her lips and he watched as her tongue darted out to catch a drop. “No.”
    “Okay. Stay here and I’ll be back.”
    He strolled back to the Sweet Shoppe. Thankfully, the worst of the crowd had cleared and he made his purchases, even adding several chocolates he wanted to share with Trish. As he made his way back to the pavilion his phone rang. He paused long enough to pull the device from his pocket and hold it to his ear.
    “Hey, cuz, what’s up with you?”
    Distaste flooded Zach at the caller’s voice. “What do you want, Gordy?”
    “Just wondering when I’m going to get a visit from you?”
    “How about the 33rd of Neverary?” He stepped out the main flow of traffic.
    “Now is that any way to treat your family?”
    Zach gritted his teeth. “We stopped being family a long time ago.”
    “So I guess you’ve forgotten who helped set you up in your limo company.”
    “I think you have that backwards.”
    Gordy’s chuckle sent a chill down Zach’s spine. “You’re right. Tell you what, I’ll have my associate cut you a check.”
    “That would be nice, but I won’t hold my breath. You’ve been promising to pay me back for a year or so.”
    “Don’t worry, cuz. I promise this time I will deliver. Enjoy the rest of your day at the Village.”
    It took Zach a moment to register the line going dead. He slowly lowered the phone and scanned the area. How had Gordy known he was here? A heartbeat passed. Trisha! Zach broke into a run, dodging several people who frowned in his direction. He stopped short when Trisha came into view. Relief made his limbs weak.
    She sat in the same spot, head bent. He moved a little closer. She was holding something...ah, her cell phone. A smile teased her lips, and using her thumbs she typed on the keyboard.
    For a moment he just observed the way the shadows played