Read Online A Man for All Seasons by Heather MacAllister - Free Book Online Page B

to the webcam.
    Huh. Axelle had stashed him off in the corner? Not a good sign. “Where’s Axelle?”
    â€œOh, around here somewhere.” Ty appeared unconcernedas he drew back from the camera and looked around the room. Marlie saw him go still, an intent look on his face that told her Axelle was nearby.
    Marlie switched cameras until she could see Axelle sweeping across the room toward him. He closed his phone and slipped it into his pocket, her call to him forgotten.
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    A XELLE SWOOPED IN AND snagged Ty’s drink, guzzling it down and making a face. “What is this?”
    â€œGinger ale.” He’d wanted to stay sharp.
    â€œWith sugar? ” She looked horrified.
    As though she needed to worry about her weight. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect. “A little sugar won’t hurt you.”
    â€œI thought this was scotch and soda.” Axelle looked around. “I need alcohol.”
    There isn’t enough alcohol in the world, Ty thought, nonplussed at seeing Axelle nervous. “You’ll be fine,” he assured her, and then amped it up. “Once you start the auction, all you have to do is throw a few smiles out there and the bids will come rolling in.”
    â€œI hope so,” she said, taking a deep breath. “There aren’t as many guests as I’d hoped.”
    Ty looked around. “There are lots of people here.”
    â€œBut most are members who’ve already donated something for the auction. They won’t be as generous when it comes to bidding. I’m just afraid that if the items do not sell for at least what they are worth, people won’t be as willing to support us next year. Or even willing to have an auction.”
    Seeing Axelle as anything other than supremely confident made her more human to Ty and less out of his league. He slipped his arm around her waist to give her a reassuring hug. His hand skimmed across bare skin. He stopped breathing so he could fully savor the feel of his hand on her back. When he became light-headed, he inhaled and asked with all thecasualness of which he was capable, “So, this afternoon, did you introduce Marlie to any guys?”
    Axelle blinked slowly, as though incredulous at the change in subject. “Several. Although I did not first ask if they were single and looking,” she said, sounding snappish.
    Ty slowly withdrew his arm. “Who knows if they’re her type, anyway? She just needs to get out there.”
    Axelle gave him a smile he had no idea how to interpret. “Perhaps it is a little early for her to have a type.”
    Now, that was a definite slam. “Hey. You’re not jealous of Marlie, are you?”
    Axelle was immediately contrite. “That sounded awful, did it not?” She put her hand on his arm, which warmed and distracted him. “I have butterflies and it is time to start the auction.” She squeezed. “Wish me luck.”
    Ty captured her hand before she could withdraw it, pulled it to his shoulder and kissed her.
    He didn’t kiss Axelle nearly enough. He was ready to forget the auction and everyone in the ballroom until someone announced that it was time to begin. He became aware of an insistent pushing and Axelle turned her face away.
    â€œGood luck,” he whispered.
    As she swept through the crowd and climbed the steps to the podium, he admired her back and the way the dress moved and felt good that other men envied him…. Then he realized that she hadn’t kissed him back.
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    D UE TO THE FACT THAT Ty was right in front of the webcam that would be providing close-ups of the auction items when he planted one on Axelle, Marlie got a very good demo of his kissing technique. The way he masterfully drew her toward him, determined and passionate…She sighed deeply. And she zoomed in with the camera, which was weird, because did she really need to know how Ty kissed? Really?
    And the look on his face as he watched