SevenSensuousDays by Tina Donahue Read Free Book Online Page A

panes
and the pond, which looked far larger than it had on the Net. Beads of moisture
clung to the grass as though someone had just watered it.
    Catching movement in her peripheral vision, Tessa turned and
stared at the rustic front door, constructed of a dark wood. Arched and
decorated with black wrought iron hinges, it swung inward.
    Logan came out to the porch, no doubt having heard the
Lincoln’s approach or having watched from one of the many windows.
    A flush of stubborn desire heated Tessa’s face, throat, and
chest despite her concern over whether they’d talk, or he’d continue to find
her acceptable, maybe even attractive. Right now, she didn’t give a damn about
her looks or words. She’d worry about both later.
    At this moment, she couldn’t look at Logan enough. He’d
dressed in worn jeans and a gray T-shirt. His feet were bare, his hair tousled
as though he’d combed it with his fingers. His shadow of beard was delicious
and welcomed. Tessa wasn’t certain what she’d expected, but his casual attire
and demeanor comforted her more than if he’d worn khakis and a sports shirt.
    Wallace said something.
    Tessa didn’t respond, not having heard his comment. She was
far too absorbed by the man she’d be spending the week with. Logan’s shoulders
seemed broader than she recalled, his body more powerful. A scant breeze pushed
his tee against his chest, outlining his firm pecs and abs. The material
fluttered above his fly, the delectable bulge between his legs.
    He came down the steps, washed in sunshine, his strides
loose, confident, seductive.
    Wallace touched her arm. Tessa tried, but couldn’t take her
eyes off Logan. “I’m sorry, what?”
    “Did what I say help?” he asked.
    Logan halted at Tessa’s door, ready to take possession of
her.
    Wallace’s words rang in her mind, Did what I say help?
    She had no idea if it had. Only the next hours and days
would tell.

Chapter Four
     
    She looked fresher than Logan recalled, her hair pulled back
in a ponytail. Mascara and a bit of lip gloss was the only makeup she wore.
    He liked that and suddenly looked forward to seeing her
right after a shower, her skin scrubbed clean, rosy from the water’s warmth and
his hands. The image sent a thrum of pleasure coursing through his body that
tingled his scalp and concentrated heat in his groin.
    At the auction, she’d been made up to appear seductive,
theatrical, less real, her lips reddened, which only made her appear oddly
virginal. A little girl playing dress-up. So unnecessary. Especially that silly
rouge on her cleft and nipples.
    Wondering what their true shade might be—a frail pink or
dusky rose—Logan regarded her black tank top, clingy and cut low. The fabric
accentuated her sumptuous breasts and erect nipples. She’d paired the top with
beige linen shorts that exposed quite an expanse of her legs. Perched on her
thighs was a small laptop.
    Tessa closed the computer, then hurried it into one of those
oversized purses women appeared to prefer over the easier-to-carry kind.
    Logan would have bet several years of his life that she’d
been Googling him, learning even more than what was likely in his agency file.
What the fire had destroyed. How it had forever marked him.
    With that awful consideration, he had to face what he’d
tried not to think about before. Being exposed and possibly judged. Tessa
seemed like a nice person, but she was only human after all. Once they got down
to the reason she was here, she’d know the full truth, not what the articles or
his file may have hinted at. She wouldn’t say anything, of course. But he’d see
the startled reaction in her eyes.
    Easy to take when a woman was with him for only a couple of
hours. He wasn’t a vain man by nature and could get through that. But Tessa and
he had a full week together.
    Logan’s doubt about all of this returned so quickly, his
hand stalled on the car’s handle.
    Tessa didn’t appear to notice. With her purse hugged to