Read Online The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge by Kristi Avalon - Free Book Online

fluffy texture. His eyes rolled back in his head. “This is heaven.”
    What did she have to be jealous about anyway? She added rosemary-spiced pork sausage patties to Carter’s dish.
    After all, she was the one who got engaged a year after he left. To the man her father had approved of. The man who managed to shred one-hundred years of the hotel’s thriving glory into a heap of bad advertising investments. All for greed.
    “Please,” Carter said, gesturing to the chair next to him, “share breakfast with me.”
    As she hovered over the morning meal, she thought of Steven Jacquard. How could she have ever believed Steven would replace Carter? He’d used her to get to her father’s wealth. Only he found out Daddy was already deep in debt, so Steven wouldn’t marry into the millions he’d expected.
    “Ellie,” Carter said, raising an eyebrow, “it’s rude to ignore an invitation.”
    “Right.” She sank onto the chair cushion as despair washed over her.
    “Where has that beautiful mind escaped to?” he asked, sweeping a lock of hair behind her ear.
    Forcing a laugh, she assured, “Nowhere important.”
    His fingers slid down to cup her chin. “You think after all the time I loved you, I don’t know when you’re upset?”
    Involuntarily, she pressed her hand against his. Their fingers separated, making room for the other’s grasp, and closed together in perfect synchronicity. “Why do you have to do that?”
    “What?”
    “Keep referring to our past.” Her lashes lowered. “I feel torn right every time you do.”
    Expression indecipherable, he squeezed her fingers. “You’re in good company. Biscuit?”
    With a quick laugh, she nodded. He released the tongs and the pastry dropped onto her plate. She couldn’t help thinking their simple exchange was the most honest they’d been with each other in almost thirteen years. It felt right, deep down in the place where she privately believed she and Carter had always been meant for each other.
    But that was a dream she’d forsaken long ago, the night she left him standing on the dock in the rain without explanation. Only telling him that they were over. She was moving on. So should he. All so that she could keep the hotel she loved, caving to her father’s threat that he’d disown her, rejecting her forever if she continued dating Carter. That, and Daddy’s vow to ruin Carter’s future if she interfered on her lover’s behalf.
    An awkward silence fell between them as Carter ate voraciously and Ellie picked at her food.
    Reaching for the remote, Carter flipped on the flat-screen TV and channel surfed. “Still don’t get great reception out here.” He left it on the local weather, which came in crystal clear. “My cell phone barely has two bars. I guess there’s no reliable Internet.”
    “On a clear day.”
    Carter rolled his eyes.
    The TV flashed, followed by several piercing beeps. An anchorwoman came on. “We interrupt this program for some breaking news. The tropical storm that formed in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend has gathered force in the past twelve hours.”
    Ellie tensed.
    “Named Hurricane Edgar, the category two hurricane is heading toward the Gulf of Mexico.”
    “Whew,” Ellie exhaled.
    “Great,” Carter muttered. “I need to leave Friday night. This storm better not mess with my flight.”
    Ellie stiffened. “Friday? How will that give you time to set things in motion when you buy the hotel?”
    Sighing, Carter stared at her steadily. “I’m not yet convinced it’s a good investment. I expressed that last night.”
    “Things could...change,” she said evasively.
    His lids lowered halfway and his gaze turned sizzling. “They could.”
    A thrill zipped up Ellie’s spine. “I want to show you more of the hotel. There are so many things you haven’t seen yet.”
    “Ellie—”
    “Before your mind is made up, you should see how far this place has come.”
    “Up to now, all I’ve seen is how far it