Tainted Love (Book 1) by Ghiselle St. James Read Free Book Online Page B

intend to make any further appearances. Those were dark times; times where I’d brought my family much shame. So I give him a smile and walk away, reading my newspaper as I go, and head back into the Laundromat.
    Just before the door closes, I hear the screech of tires. My eyes pull up from the paper to see a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom. Everyone’s attention is staked on the beauty. Throwing the door open and springing from the luxury vehicle is Ben Hayes. My stomach does a nosedive as I realize he is heading straight for the Laundromat.
    My mind seems to register everything seconds after they happen. I can’t even move, though my brain is telling me to run and do it fast !
    Stopping as soon as he enters, green eyes pierce through me. I am his target, no doubt. That’s why the Rolls Royce had made such a sudden stop. He’d spotted me. Holy shit.
    He looks delectable. I can see his chest heaving in his white tee and leather jacket. He looks every bit the bad boy in his worn blue jeans and black Timberland roll tops, his tousled hair falling to his face. My lips part as I drink him in from head to toe. I swallow, my mouth watering at the sight of him. Jeez.
    Walking stridently over to me, he grabs me close to him, cupping my ass and gripping the back of my neck. Before I can form a coherent thought, he dips me and seals his lips over mine. He inhales at contact, breathing deeply. When he grabs my hair, tugging it almost painfully to send sinful pleasure zipping down between my thighs, my mind finally catches up with reality, registering what is happening.
    Running my hands through Ben’s hair, down to his neck, I moan eagerly into his mo uth. His tongue invades, intertwining with mine and igniting fire through my bones, turning my legs to jelly. Holding my face in place, he licks inside my mouth like he’d found something sweet inside. The soft whimpering sounds he makes causing my legs to further weaken. Damn it.
    “What are the odds?” he whispers breathlessly against my lips.
    “Huh?” My brain has checked out again.
    “God, even in sweat pants and oversized sweatshirts you look hot.” He circles my behind and grips it firmly. Pulling away from me, he grabs my wrists to him. “Come. Have lunch with me.” It isn’t a request.
    “I’m doing laundry, Ben,” I answer weakly.
    “How long will that take?” He looks down at his watch.
    “I just started.”
    “Damn it,” he curses. “What if I came up to your place when you’re through here?”
    “Ben…” I sigh.
    As electric as the chemistry is between us, I really don’t want to do this with him. I was hoping to never see him again.
    “Just so you know, I don’t take no for an answer.” And I believe him.
    I sigh yet again, trying to think of something. I was always good at ditching guys but I see ditching Ben will prove to be a challenge.
    “Fine,” I concede.
    “Wonderful.” He is fiddling with his cell phone. “I’ll just swing by the country club to see my parents then come back here. How does half an hour sound?”
    “Yeah, I think I’ll be finished by then.”
    “Good.”
    Ben steps to me, brushing a hand down my cheek. “Please don’t run off. We have some things to discuss.”
    He leans in and plants a chaste kiss on my lips, making me yearn for more. He then leaves the Laundromat and boards the waiting car.
    “‘Things to discuss’?” I bite my lip thinking about what those “things” can be.
    What if he found out who I really am? Or worse, what if he found out about my past? Shit. My heart is pounding a death rhythm. Shit!

CHAPTER 6
     
    Twenty minutes later, I am done with Rae’s and my laundry, and within five minutes, I have them folded and packed in the duffel. I can very well ditch Ben now since he doesn’t know where I live , I think to myself. Sounds like a good plan.
    I pick the duffel up and set out to leave. Exiting the Laundromat, I step onto the curb, ready to cross. Crap.
    He’s already waiting for