Scandal (Tainted #1) by Aimee Duffy Read Free Book Online Page A

count down the days until death freed her – at this point she did not care if it was hers or his. ‘Darling, do not overreact to this rumour. I’m sure the press are exaggerating. He could be her new client.’
    His footsteps halted. ‘Alicia confirmed it when I called. She is tainting the Simpson name with that sorry excuse for a man. I will not let it continue.’
    Sweat slicked Sebastian’s back and chest as he tore across the court. He swung the racket, lobbing the ball back to his trainer’s side, watching it bounce once before it shot over the line. James’ swing was half a second too late.
    The thrill of the win drove the adrenaline higher, until he almost shook with it. They were both breathing hard. They’d been at the gym for hours and Sebastian was just getting into his stride. A week of early nights and constant training was paying off. James barely got a win past him the last few days.
    Grinning, he said, ‘Need a time out, old man?’
    The look James shot him only made him smile wider.
    ‘I whipped you on Monday, or are you choosing to forget that?’
    Frowning, Sebastian made his way to the bench. Yeah, he chose to forget Monday, and the month before. Instead of answering, he pulled the cap off his water bottle and chugged half the contents. James took the same desperately needed drink from his own bottle.
    Sebastian glanced at his watch for the fifth time in the last hour. The minutes seemed to creep by, mocking the ridiculous anticipation he had to see Alicia. After she promised to lay down the law in her strict, Lady of the Manor voice, he’d wanted to find out exactly what she had in mind. Just so he could see if he could make her bend her rules.
    ‘Best out of three?’ he asked, trying to take his focus off the blonde.
    Accepting the challenge, James picked his racket up and they both headed to the court.
    ‘You can’t have built up all your endurance after a month off, Collins. I reckon after the sixth you’ll lose your stride.’
    Maybe, but he had something he didn’t have much of before – incentive. Now he was facing what slacking off could do for his career, Sebastian was more determined than ever to get back to where he was before it all went to shit at Wimbledon. In fact, scratch that. He needed to be better. The sport was all he had, all he could trust, and there was no one to mess it up other than himself.
    ‘How about you serve and find out, or are you worried your talk’s nothing but hot air?’ Taking position at the far corner, he prepared himself for a sneaky shot from his trainer.
    ‘Guess we’ll see.’
    James’ serve was like lightning, but Sebastian was ready and hit the ball back with everything he had. They both played as if they had something to prove, like their life depended on the win. Blood and adrenaline coursed through him, the feeling as addictive as winning. The challenge James presented made overused muscles feel fresh, the breath sawing through his lungs exhilarating.
    His trainer stumbled to the right, guessing Sebastian’s next move. Seeing his chance, he bolted across the court, swinging his racket with calculation, and was rewarded with a wide-eyed look from James as he swung wildly and missed the ball.
    ‘What was that you were saying about my endurance?’ he asked, swiping the sweat from his forehead.
    ‘It won’t last. Not through three more sets.’
    ‘You’re on, old man.’ Sebastian went for another ball, but a figure in the doorway caught his attention.
    He turned all the way around, his mouth dropping open at the sight. Blondie wore a purple top that barely encased her breasts and flashed a hint of pearly skin above low-rise jeans that were so tight they could have been painted on. Her hair fell in loose waves down to her elbows. So much better than he imagined it would.
    With his mouth feeling like someone had stuffed it with grit and his mind stunned to blank, he could only gape.
    James’ whistle from behind him made her cheeks