Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online Page B

education was no longer sorely lacking. Every night he’d taken her to places she’d only halfway imagined, and others she hadn’t even known existed.
    If this was a precursor to how life with him was going to be, she was going to be one very happy woman.

    “Joining our meeting via video conference call this morning are Ryan Beardsley and Rafael de Luca,” Devon said as his two friends’ faces flashed up on the monitor on the wall. “Ryan is on location at our site build on St. Angelo Island, where our flagship resort is in its first stage of development. When completed, this resort will be the standard for every new Copeland property. Good morning, Ryan. Perhaps you could give us a progress report on the construction.” Devon tuned out Ryan and glanced over at Cam, who was slouched in a chair. Devon knew well the progress on construction. He got daily and sometimes hourly reports. Though Ryan was on site, his focus was on his very pregnant wife, who could deliver at any moment. To that end, Devon kept in contact with the foreman so that any issues that arose could be swiftly dealt with.
    Cam hadn’t dressed for the occasion. He’d never quite bought in to the idea that image is everything in the business world. But then he didn’t really care what others thought or didn’t think. It was easier for Cam, though. He’d been born to this world, while Devon had to claw and dig his way in, one torn fingernail at a time.
    Cam looked like a man who could be heading to the beach for the day or at the very least planning to spend the day kicked back with a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other. But then Cam didn’t drink or smoke.
    The man had no vices. He was disgustingly perfect in his imperfection.
    Members of Tricorp’s staff listened attentively to Ryan’s report. Jotted down appropriate notes. The secretary took detailed minutes. There was an air of expectancy in the room. Everyone knew it was a matter of time before the big merger was announced.
    Devon thought it kinder to wait. Maybe he was getting old and soft. Maybe he didn’t even deserve to be on the verge of the biggest coup of his career.
    Because at the very moment when he stood to gain everything he’d ever wanted, he’d actually gone to William Copeland and suggested that they postpone the announcement for six months. He thought it would be kinder to Ashley if she were to think that business had nothing to do with their marriage and that the merger came after. William wouldn’t have it, however.
    He insisted that things proceed as planned.
    He thought Devon worried too much about Ashley’s potential reaction. She loved him, wasn’t that enough?
    It had made Devon cringe that apparently the whole world knew she was madly in love with her husband to be.
    Besides, William pointed out that as disinterested in the family business as Ashley was, the chances of her actually putting it all together were slim. William’s advice to Devon? Keep her busy and happy.
    Suddenly in the midst of Ryan’s report, a sound jangled over the room. There was a series of starts as his employees looked down and then around. Devon frowned. What the hell was it? It sounded like a ring tone, but it wasn’t one he’d ever heard before.
    Then slowly everyone’s gaze turned to him and it was then he realized it was his phone going off in his pocket.
    “What the hell?” he muttered.
    Cam snickered.
    Devon yanked his phone out of his pocket to see Ashley’s name on the LCD. He nearly groaned aloud.
    “Excuse me a moment,” he said as he rose. “I’ll take this outside.”
    He hurried out the door, irritated by Cam’s look of amusement. He knew damn well who was calling Devon.
    As soon as he was outside the conference room he punched the answer button and brought the phone to his ear. “Carter,” he said tersely.
    Ashley wasn’t even remotely put off by his greeting.
    Or lack of one.
    “Oh, hi, Dev! How’s your day going?”
    “Uh, it’s good. Look, was