Surrounded by Temptation by Mandy Harbin Read Free Book Online Page A

muttered, nodding. Then he turned to his wife. “Okay, let me think on this. We’ll try to work something out, but I want to make sure all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed before I bring her on.” He looked over at Ariel. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the sooner you work out any bugs the better it’ll be for everyone…but I’m gonna.” He half-smiled at her.
    “Understood.” She handed a package over to him. “I actually came in to have this shipped. It’s part of the research,” she added quickly when he frowned at her.
    “I’ll make sure Jeffery takes it with him when he runs into town later.”
    “Thanks.” She started for the door. “I need to get back to work. Um, is Rob too busy to help me?” She felt her face get hot and couldn’t elaborate on just what she was expecting from Rob. Although she knew everyone in this room had to know what she was talking about.
    Josh chuckled. “Rob’s number one job right now is to be at your beck and call. I would say go easy on him, but you just do what you gotta do.”
    “Right, okay. I’ll see you guys later. Maybe at dinner.” She shrugged as she left. Honestly, she didn’t know if they’d make it to dinner. Her next test was sure to push all Rob’s buttons.
    Ariel quickly walked back to her cabin, not really taking in her surroundings like she’d done before. It was hard to focus on other things when her mind was racing, preparing her for her next seduction. God, if her biochem professor could see her now.
    She pushed open the rustic door to her cabin and left it ajar. She pulled out the restraints she’d used yesterday on Rob, but as she stared at them, she knew she wasn’t going to use them. Josh needed her to finish her research as quickly as possible and she couldn’t do that if she was too scared to move forward. Keeping Rob tied up would only serve to keep her sanity regarding her safety and not further the testing along. Tossing them aside, she quickly grabbed her cell and selected Krista’s number.
    “Ariel? Everything okay?”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Why was she whispering? She cleared her throat. “I need you to contact Rob, have Toby do it if necessary, but I need Rob to think I’ve suffered some kind of crisis. Minor crisis. I don’t want to freak him out completely. Maybe tell him I called you because my bathroom door is stuck or something. In fact, yeah, let’s go with that.”
    “You sound funny. Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Just peachy.” She was trying to tamp down her nerves. She’d never had to seduce a man before starting this with Rob. Frankly, it made her feel like a novice, and she hated feeling inferior in any regard. “Have Toby tell him something like I’m stuck in the bathroom and need help.”
    “And why wouldn’t Toby just come out and help you. If you call me because you’re trapped, I wouldn’t sit idly by. This is lame.”
    “Shut it, Krista. Toby can come up with something. Hell, he can tell Rob that you’re freaking out and heading my way and that he needs to get to you to make sure you don’t do anything stupid like wield a chainsaw and get yourself hurt. It’s just a stuck door, so he can put it off on Rob.”
    Krista harrumphed. “I guess that’ll work. Still sounds silly. You should just call him and tell him to meet you for your next booty session.”
    “For the love of God, Krista. I’m doing this for you . And I don’t tell you how to do your job. Stick to the law and let me handle this the way I see fit.”
    Her sister sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just don’t like your approach to this, but I’m shutting up now. I’ll call Toby. Consider it done.”
    “Thanks.”
    She tossed her cell down after ending the call and walked into the bathroom. She looked around the room, searching for something that might wedge the door shut but not having any luck. She ran to the bedroom and grabbed the small chair by the bed. It’d have to do. She just needed something to