The Long Hot Summer (Billionaire Season Book 1) by Kimball Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

feeling well, I noticed the two of you on the upstairs porch, you look a lot alike,” Allie said and then she went on talking when William remained silent. “You’re sure you don’t mind if I come back to the city with you? Your dad says you have the most remarkable hotel, a vintage ocean liner docked right downtown on the shore of the Mississippi River. I can’t wait to see it and he was so sweet to call and make a reservation for me. He thought they were booked up but I guess there was a cancellation. Pretty lucky, huh? Now you won’t have to deal with having me underfoot all the time.”
    The air had cooled by the time they left Greenlea and a thick mist rose from the bayou so William put the top up on the Maserati and they raced along as if cradled in a cozy cocoon under the full rising moon. Allie peeked at him from beneath the cover of thickly fringed lashes and wondered if he ever let anyone inside the carefully crafted façade he presented to the world. She had seen a softer side of William Warfield once or twice over the last day and a half and it was brilliant and breathtaking to behold. They were still strangers really, and yet she was inexplicably drawn to him. She felt as if she would give anything to break through the rusted iron shell he had built around his heart just to feel it racing to a thundering beat just for her.
    “Here we are,” William said, breaking her reverie. He had parked the car and held her door open offering his hand to help her step out. She stood next to him inhaling his spicy sexy scent and absorbing the heat that radiated from his body. He reached down and grasped her hand firmly as she stared incredulously at the huge navy-blue ship with its trio of towering red smoke stacks.
    “My office s are here as well, perhaps you’d like to have a tour one day soon,” he said, as he let go of her hand and they walked side by side toward the ship.
    “Yes, absolutely! I’d love to see your office now… or anytime. I know you’re probably anxious to be done with me William. You’re a busy man and you’ve been so nice to put up with me, your father said you did it as a favor to him. Oh, I left my things at your house, I sort of need my nightie and toothbrush.” She said and her face blazed when she caught the flicker of his smile at the term “nightie.”
    The y strolled up the teakwood gangplank that glowed with tiny hidden lights and Allie was so entranced by the ship looming ever closer that she slipped her arm through William’s and stared up at its hulking height. He clasped his hand over hers drawing her closer when they reached the grand wide entrance into the lobby and just as William greeted the smiling hotel host who waited for them all the ship’s lights blinked into darkness.
    “Careful Mr. Warfield sir, you don’t want to lose your way in the dark,” the host’s voice sounded from somewhere inside the vast lobby of the pitch-black ship.
    William suddenly didn’t think being careful was called for, Allie had pressed her body into his as darkness surrounded them. He pulled her against him and when he bent his lips to hers they found their match in a searing and ferocious need. A solid wall was at his back and leaned against it never loosening his grip on this exquisite girl. She tasted of innocence and peaches and all things sweet and tantalizing. Her lips parted readily and his tongue met hers, twining and exploring in a dance that set them both on fire. Too late , he mused hearing the host’s warning in his head, he was already lost.
    Allie moaned and moved her hands beneath his ‘oh so presentable’ suit jacket and felt a surge of purely animalistic lust shoot straight to her sex. The impeccable suit he wore covered a body that made her weak with longing as she ran her hands from his sculpted chest up to his unbelievably wide muscled shoulders. God, he felt good, hot and hard and huge . He was not only the sexiest man she’d ever known, his kiss was the