Seduce Me by Cheryl Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

shouldn’t have to ask.”
    “Do you ever think about any topic but sex?”
    “No.”
    “Humor me.  Tell me one thing that’s on your mind—besides sex.”
    “You’re so beautiful tonight.”
    “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
    “Normally, I’d have skipped the dinner altogether and taken you straight to the nearest motel.”
    “Why didn’t you?”
    “I doubt you’d have agreed, and my ego couldn’t have stood the shock of your rejection.”
    She laughed, glad the tension was easing.
    “I don’t like you.”  She stopped and scowled.  “Or maybe I do.  I can’t decide.”
    “Why does it matter?”
    “I don’t fall into bed with men I hardly know, and I most especially don’t sleep with men I don’t like.”
    “What about my grandfather?  Where was he on your list?”
    “Don’t be obnoxious,” she scolded.
    “I can’t help but be curious what it was like between you and Harold.  I’d like to have sex with you, but—“
    She was offended by his bluntness.  “How do you really feel?  Don’t hold back on my account.”
    “I never will.”
    She grabbed her napkin and fanned her face.  The wine, coupled with the man and the innuendo, was making her crackle with emotion.  She was ready to ignite again and wondered if it would become a permanent condition when she was in his presence.
    “It’s a valid question,” he claimed.  “If I’m going to seduce you, it seems only fair that I know if my grandfather had you first.”
    His comment was vulgar and demeaning, and she was furious.  “That was an awful thing to say.”
    “Was it?”
    “Apologize right now or I’m leaving.”
    He reached out and took her hand, and to her disgust, she didn’t pull away.  She liked it when he touched her, and he gave her such extreme pleasure, merely by pressing his skin to her own.
    “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
    “Thank you.”
    “Did you like Harold?”
    “Very much.  He was kind to me.”
    “Did he like you?”
    “Yes.”
    “He could have married any woman in the world.  Why pick you?  Why at the very end of his life?”
    “He trusted me.  He knew I’d do as he’d requested.”
    “And what was that?”
    “None of your business.”
    She sipped her wine and studied him.  He was studying her too, as if trying to read her mind, but he’d never be able to.  She might share Harold’s secrets someday, but it would be because she thought the time was right.  He’d never pry them out of her otherwise.
    “Why didn’t he wed Gracie?” he asked.  “She’s closer to his age.  If he’d chosen her, I wouldn’t be so suspicious.”
    “She’s a con artist—which he understood—while I’m revoltingly loyal and have a heart of gold.”
    “A bank account of gold too, thanks to him.”
    “Yes.”  She shifted forward in her chair so they were a few inches apart.  “Can we talk about something besides money?”
    “If you’d return what you stole, we could call it even and move on.”
    Faith rolled her eyes in exasperation.  “You never give up, do you?”
    “No.”
    “I’ve seen pictures of you in gossip magazines”—she was determined to change the subject—“and every time, you’re with someone new.  Do you have commitment issues?”
    “Damn straight.”
    “No wife and home and family for you?”
    “No.  Not for me.  I had quite enough when I was growing up.”
    “I pity you.”
    “You shouldn’t.  I’m willing to bet that my life has been more exciting than yours.”
    “You were married once,” she said, “briefly, when you were very young.”
    He shrugged, but didn’t reply.
    “Are you ever in contact with her?” she asked.  “Have you ever wondered what happened to her?”
    At that moment, the waiter passed their table, and Lucas gestured for the bill.  The waiter handed it over, and without glancing at the total, Lucas stuffed a wad of cash in the folder.
    He pushed back his chair and stood.  “Let’s go.”
    “I’m not done