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

she could taste it.
    A rogue thought caught her off guard and penetrated her defenses—what was JT doing today? Would he be working? Socializing with a date? Riding his bike? The rush of emotion through her bloodstream made her dizzy and she paused to rebalance. After they’d made love at their beach, they’d traveled back to her apartment in silence and the goodbyes had been awkward. From now on, he was merely a claimant to a will she was administering. Making love had been important for healing, for closure, she could see that, but it was over. All she had to do was hold her thoughts, dreams and fantasies in check and she’d be fine. She shook her head and smiled ruefully at herself, and at how optimistic that plan was. JT was a hard man to shove to the edges of her mind.
    She stepped into the park, and smoothed down her dress in the matching blue to her hat and shoes, then took a breath. She was ready to be charming, to make a good impression.
    The Botanical Gardens were huge and the annual garden party fundraiser for a wildlife refuge was always held in the rose garden section, so she headed that way along a paved path. A light breeze played with the edges of her dress and she held her hat until it passed. Up aheadshe could make out women in bright, bold hats and men in suits standing in groups, laughing and chatting. She spied two women she knew from other city firms and headed for their group, accepting a class of iced tea from a passing waiter on her way.
    Within two hours, she’d donated money via the charity auction and made contact with the clients her boss had told her to seek. Two hours was all the partners expected; besides, she was exhausted from the long hours she’d been putting in lately and still had more work to do this afternoon. Plus, the day had warmed—she was looking forward to getting home and taking off the closed-toe shoes.
    Just as she was running an eye over the crowd, checking to see if there was anyone else she should talk to before leaving, she saw JT heading over, a slender blonde at his side. Her heart froze, then burst to life again as if trying to break free from her chest. They’d had no contact since he’d dropped her home the night they’d made love on the beach.
    The only way she’d been able to cope with that crazy, explosive night was to try not to think about it. But with each step he took closer, the memories assaulted her—his kiss, the feel of him entering her, his tenderness. His companion was talking and JT nodded and replied, but Pia felt the intensity of his gaze in every cell of her body. By the time he reached her, her breath was coming a little too fast for someone standing still on a warm, sunny day, but she was helpless to glance away.
    When they stopped in front of her, his blonde friend looked up, seemingly surprised to find someone there.
    â€œLovely day,” JT said, voice smooth and low.
    She swallowed to moisten her throat before she could speak. “JT.” Thankfully, her voice sounded normal, even professional.
    â€œThis is Christina,” he said. “She works in my marketing department.” He turned to the woman beside him. “This is Nell.”
    Pia blinked then realized he was being discreet, just as she’d asked. Either that or he was making fun of her. She held her hand out to the other woman. “Nice to meet you.”
    Christina took Pia’s hand and shook it, giving her a warm smile. “Lovely to meet you too, Nell. By the way, your hat is hands down the best here. I have a largish collection but that one’s something altogether different in style. Where did you buy it?”
    â€œI made it,” she admitted. From the corner of her eye, she saw JT’s gaze sharpen.
    â€œReally?” Christina asked, her eyes fixed above Pia’s crown. “It has such fabulous details on the brim. Are you a milliner?”
    For a moment, Pia imagined her mother’s