Return of the Secret Heir by Rachel Bailey Read Free Book Online Page A

her nape as his mouth sustained the kiss.
    The moment after he entered her, his neck corded with tension and he held himself very still. A tear ran down her face—the beauty of finally being reunited with him was breathtaking, nothing could ever compare. JT leaned down and kissed the tear away, then began to move in a rhythm that she matched without thought.
    His heavily lidded eyes were locked on hers as they climbed higher, his name on her lips, and higher still, the feel of him everywhere, and higher, before she broke free, released of earthly restraints, and felt him follow her, gripping her tight, calling her name.
    She floated for an endless time, neither of them moving, as if not wanting to break the spell. Then, as she drifted back to earth and the hot pulse in her body slowly leveled, the outside world began to intrude. The leaf litter beneath their coats that rustled with every movement, the small stone digging into her arm, the light breeze on her naked leg.
    And with the awareness of her surroundings also came awareness of what she’d done. Her stomach shrank to a cold, hard lump as the full folly of her actions came crashing down—she’d crossed a line. A professional and ethical line. But also a personal one…
    She’d allowed herself to lapse from the person she’d worked so hard to become.
    Although, perhaps it had been inevitable—a healing experience they’d both needed. And now they could move on. She released the breath she’d been holding, relieved to have understanding of what they’d done—she’d simplyneeded the closure and now she had it. She scrubbed a hand over her face.
    JT stroked a finger down the side of her cheek. “Pia, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I did think earlier at your apartment that maybe…but I would never take advantage of you when you were vulnerable.”
    â€œI know,” she whispered. “Maybe making love one final time was closure.”
    His forehead furrowed as he considered. “You could have something there.”
    â€œWhen things ended between us, it was…”
    â€œMessy?” He arched one eyebrow in faint amusement.
    â€œMessy,” she agreed. “Maybe this was inevitable, even if it was the result of getting carried away.”
    He smiled his crooked smile, then his body tensed and his face blanched. “Oh God, I’m sorry, Pia. I didn’t use protection.”
    Ice trickled through her veins. She hadn’t given it a thought either. Although she’d be safe from pregnancy thanks to a little daily pill, it had been crazy to do this with no other protection. As crazy as doing it at all had been.
    â€œIt’s—” she swallowed and offered a half smile “—it’s okay, I’m covered.”
    He looked up at the stars, then back to her, disbelief clear in his eyes. “I’ve never forgotten before. Not once, I swear. You’ll be safe.”
    â€œI’m clear as well—I’ve never been unprotected.” It seemed they only lost their minds with each other. The thought was somehow comforting—she wasn’t the only one who was this affected—but it meant she’d need to double her guard. This couldn’t happen again.
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    Three weeks later, Pia picked up her cobalt blue wide-brimmed hat and stepped out of the cab and into a gorgeoussunny day. Fundraising events targeting the rich and powerful weren’t normally particularly interesting but this one was different. Her bosses had sent her to this charity garden party at the Botanical Gardens so the firm could make an appearance, and anything the partners wanted while her promotion was in the air, the partners would have. They themselves usually attended the higher-profile fundraisers, so she’d been thrilled when they’d asked her to attend this one with the cream of the city’s elite. It meant they trusted her. That promotion was so close