Seduction by the Book by Linda Conrad Read Free Book Online Page B

stories?”
    â€œGhost stories. With no electricity and all these shadows from the lanterns and candles jumping all over the room, ghost stories would be lots of fun.”
    He sat down on the sofa next to her. “I don’t know any ghost stories.”
    â€œWhat? What kind of education have you had?” She chuckled and her eyes danced with delight.
    Then she slid a glance over his shoulder and her whole demeanor suddenly changed. Her face drew up and her eyes grew dismal. Nick turned to see what had caught her attention and ruined her mood.
    As he turned, he realized that she was staring at the picture of Christina. Hell.
    He stood, grabbed the photo away from its spot on the table. “There are some ghost stories better left untold.”
    â€œPlease don’t move that because of me,” she said sadly.
    â€œUh, I’ve been meaning to put it over behind my desk with the others of her.” He stashed it, face-down, on the credenza in the darkest corner of the room. “She never cared much for that photograph anyway.”
    As he walked back to Annie’s side, Nick noticed that she had tears in her eyes. Her expression was filled with sorrow and the tears welling there were poised to spill over her face.
    â€œAnnie?” He sat down on the sofa beside her again.
    â€œI’m sorry.” She fluttered her fingers in front of her as if to will away the tears. “It’s just such a tragic love story. A young couple with so much to look forward to.”
    Nick couldn’t stand to see the pain on Annie’s face. Not when the truth of the tragedy was that there had been an absence of love. And he always felt better when Annie smiled. When she laughed, the whole world brightened.
    A single drop leaked out of the corner of her eye. It tore a huge hole in him and he reached for her, rubbing a thumb under her eye to wipe her pain away with the tear.
    â€œAnnie, please…” He’d meant to say “please don’t cry.” At least, he thought that’s what he’d meant.
    But somewhere there, the entire mood in the room changed with one deep breath. He lifted her chin, leaned in and traced her full, rosy lips with his tongue. It was beyond him to stop.
    Annie made a small sound and threw her arms around his neck to pull him closer and deepen the kiss. She was impossible to resist.
    She was everything he’d ever wanted and had refused to let himself take. Though it made him mad to admit it, he knew that all his hard-won scruples and fidelity were just about to disappear into the night right along with his honor.
    She moaned again. And a red haze of desire exploded in his head as he let Annie take him completely over the edge of reason.

Four
    A nnie went willingly, eagerly, into Nick’s arms. Never before had she felt such power, nor such weakness.
    Somewhere in the back of her mind, her mother’s voice was telling her that this was wrong. Nick was her boss and they could never have any kind of future together. But…
    Nick lathed her lips with his tongue, then nudged the lips open so he could sweep into her mouth. It gave her goose bumps but she tried her best to keep up with him.
    Their tongues melded together and tangled as if in some erotic slow dance. Annie held her breath as he began to thrust his tongue forcefully back and forth into her mouth—demanding, enticing, begging.
    He pulled back slightly, and buried his face in her neck on a deep breath. “I…I’m sorry,” he stuttered against her skin. “I shouldn’t. But I want you so much.”
    â€œI want you too,” she readily agreed as she clung to his shoulders. The world suddenly turned blurry, hazy and the roar of the storm faded into a velvety blue buzz in her head. “Boy, do I ever.”
    On a groan, he nibbled his way up her throat as she threw back her head to give him access. He kissed her jawline, then moved to her ear. Taking the lobe in