Seduction by Design by Sandra Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

not to wear it, after all. The season was almost over, and if she didn’t wear it now, she might not get a chance. Next summer, it would probably be out of style. Even though it was bare and she wouldn’t be wearing all that much underneath it, she wasn’t wearing it to enchant Mr. Scott, she told herself. If he misinterpreted her motives, he’d find out just how wrong he was.
    While Faith kept up a steady stream of chatter, Hailey changed in the connecting bathroom. The dress fit her trim figure to perfection, clinging to her breasts like a second skin. She put her hair back up with decorative combs after thoroughly brushing it.
    Faith’s curiosity overrode her manners, and she tapped lightly on the bathroom door. “Can I come in?”
    “Sure,” Hailey answered. Faith watched in fascination while Hailey applied fresh makeup. She was nosy and curious and meddlesome, but endearing. Apparently, Faith was eager for a woman’s opinion of her own appearance and missed having her mother to talk to about such things.
    Hailey asked for her help in selecting a flat, strappy sandal to wear with the sundress. After Hailey had misted herself with Chanel, she sprayed some on Faith. The girl’s expression was one of rapture, and Hailey found it pitifully touching that so small a gesture could mean so much to the girl.
    Of one thing Hailey was certain, the child adored her father. “Daddy said,” “Daddy thinks,” “Daddy is,”—these expressions prefaced most of her sentences. It was clear to Hailey that Faith held him in awe. Her desire for his acceptance and approval was pathetic.
    When Hailey was ready, they went into the living room where Tyler was a dark silhouette against the violet of dusk at the window. When he heard them, he turned around. His eyes opened wide in unconcealed appreciation of Hailey’s efforts.
    Hailey had to put down an urge to cover the expanse of bare skin on her shoulders and chest. “I think we’re ready,” she said. The timidity in her voice was humiliating. She sounded like a girl going out on her first date.
    “Your home is lovely,” Tyler said. Hailey’s eyes swept the room as though seeing it for the first time. A stone fireplace took up one wall, while plate-glass windows took up another. The sofa and chairs were covered in a nubby, cream-colored fabric and piled with cushions of contrasting earth tones. Area rugs relieved the bareness of the parquet oak floor. Louvered barroom doors led into the kitchen, and the far end of the living room had been made into a dining alcove.
    “If you think this room is pretty, you ought to see her bedroom. She’s got a bedspread in a peachy color and it’s so soft. And the bathroom is yummy. There’s this sunken bathtub, and it’s the same color as the bedspread. You ought to see it, Daddy.”
    His gray eyes swung to Hailey and she dropped hers in mortification. “Maybe I will sometime,” he said in a seductive tone. “Where did you say you wanted to eat, Faith?” He wasn’t looking at his daughter. His eyes remained riveted on Hailey.
    “It’s really neat,” Faith said in what she hoped was a selling voice. “They’ve got pizza and lasagna and electronic games in the back room.”
    That got Tyler’s attention and he laughed indulgently. “My child is addicted to those computerized games,” he said to Hailey.
    She smiled back. “I think everyone is these days.”
    “Do you mind a restaurant with electronic games in the back room?” His look was rueful and apologetic.
    “Of course not. I may even try them myself.”
    “Great! Let’s go. I’m starving.” Faith dragged out the last word dramatically and they all laughed.
    Hailey locked her house and she and Tyler followed Faith up the steps to his car. He placed a proprietary arm around her shoulders and drew her closer to him.
    “I may have to change your uniform at Serendipity. You look gorgeous tonight, Hailey.”
    The breath that fanned her cheek was fragrant and minty