Rulers of Deception by Katie Jennings Read Free Book Online Page A

wedding.”
    He held her closer, removing her hat so he could raise her face to his. “What would a couple of sinners like us do in a church, anyway?”
    Her lips curved. “We’d be laughed out, or chased with torches.”
    “Doused in holy water.”
    She laughed, the sound blending with the splash of waves hitting the boat. “I’m proud that we defy convention. It means we aren’t like anyone else.”
    “I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you that there would never be another woman like you.”
    “No, there won’t be.” She leaned in to kiss him. Her teeth nipped his mouth teasingly as she smiled. “I slipped some champagne into my purse.”
    “That’s my girl. Are we celebrating something?”
    “Victory, darling. We’re celebrating victory.”
     

     
    Of all the years he’d lived in the townhouse with its breathtaking view of the city, Grant knew it hadn’t become a home until Quinn.
    Coming home from a long day’s work to the scent of her cooking and the sound of her laughter gave him a reason to get up in the morning. It gave him the ability to carry on, to thrive. She filled a void he’d never realized existed, a gaping hole in his chest that she’d patched over with loving stitches and a careful hand.
    He liked to think he’d given her much of the same—security, a comfortable home. A shot at a career as a chef in his hotel’s premiere restaurant. Though he had to admit he missed having her close by every day as his secretary. Her replacement was satisfactory, but no one could ever compare to Quinn.
    He looked up from his seat on the covered outdoor patio when he heard her step outside. She smiled brightly, her hands filled with a plate, wine glasses, and a freshly opened bottle of Chianti.
    “I picked up this fabulous Chianti the other day and completely forgot about it.” She laughed, handing him a glass and setting down the plate. It was loaded with flaky slices of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, prosciutto, and olives, carefully chosen to pair perfectly with the wine. He knew Quinn was never one to take the culinary arts lightly.
    “Sit down, let me pour,” Grant offered, taking the bottle from her and ushering her into the seat beside him.
    She plopped down onto the softly cushioned armchair, releasing a quiet sigh. “You really don’t have to. I don’t mind.”
    “Let me do things for you, Quinn.” He poured her a glass, then filled his own. His eyes found hers as he set the bottle aside and lifted his glass for a toast. “ Santé .”
    “ Salud. ” Her glass clicked against his before she lifted it for a sip. Her eyes widened. “Oh, oh .”
    He tasted the wine himself and frowned at the look on her face. “Do you not like it?”
    “Oh, god no. It’s divine!” she gushed, sipping again and swishing the liquid around on her tongue. “Wow.” With her free hand, she patted herself on the shoulder and grinned. “I did good.”
    His eyebrows rose in amusement. “You didn’t make the wine, you just bought it.”
    “I know, but you see I have a sense for this kind of thing and I just knew when I picked this up it’d be brilliant. And it is!” A delighted laugh bubbled from her throat. She sampled a slice of cheese to test its compatibility with the wine, decided it was perfect as well. “I really should have gotten into wine making.”
    “We can arrange for classes, if you’d like.”
    She started to laugh it off, then realized he was serious. Of course he was serious. “No, that’s okay. I’m happy being a chef, trust me. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”
    He didn’t look convinced. “You probably get bored here while I’m working late. Why don’t you take night classes?”
    “Well, I really do keep busy. Menu planning, grocery shopping, taking care of Miles,” she playfully nudged the sleeping old dog with her foot, “listening to Ma whine about dad not taking his high blood pressure seriously…I don’t know how I could fit classes into