Read Online A Secret Life by Barbara Dunlop - Free Book Online

ventured.
    His voice dropped a notch. “And you’re beautiful.”
    A small shiver ran through her. Were they going to play with the funny flirty thing again?
    He rose from his chair, and she took a step back. “You’d be a natural on camera.”
    Okay. There it was. She shook her head. “You think you’re so suave.”
    He took another step forward, determination in his stride, in his expression and in the set of his shoulders. “There’s this local reporter.”
    “No.”
    “Her name is Karen St. Claire.”
    “Not a chance.”
    “She does cooking reports. I met her. She’s—”
    “You met her? When?”
    “While you were getting highlights.”
    Joan couldn’t believe it. While she had been relaxing in the salon, Anthony had been out on media recon. Did the man never slow down?
    “They can give us a live feed to the network, and—”
    “Live?” she squeaked. She’d assumed he was talking about a newspaper reporter.
    A sales clerk approached in Joan’s peripheral vision. “How do you like the jacket?”
    Anthony pulled out his credit card and handed it to the woman without taking his eyes off Joan. “We’ll take the whole outfit. You want pumps?”
    “No, I do not want pumps.” Who said she wanted the outfit, either? Although it was a great outfit.
    “Okay,” he said easily.
    Joan waited until the woman left. “You are out of your mind.”
    “You look fabulous.”
    “Nice try.”
    He was conning her, she knew. But there was something about Anthony saying she looked fabulous that tightened her chest.
    “You’ll like Karen,” he said. “She’s calm and low-key. I’ve already approved the questions.”
    “You approved my questions?” Joan tried to sharpen her tone, but it was hard to stay angry with somebody who was so thorough. She might not agree with his methods, but there was no doubting his loyalty and sincerity.
    He nodded. “Five minutes, Joan. Let them see you. Let them hear you. And I promise you won’t be forbidden fruit anymore.”
    “My parents—”
    The sale clerk reappeared. “Can I get your signature, Mr. Verdun?”
    He signed the slip. “Your parents will be proud.”
    “My parents will be angry.”
    The sales clerk walked away.
    “They want this to die down, right?”
    “Of course they want it to die down,” said Joan. They wanted it to die down in the most expedient fashion possible.
    “Then do the interview. Don’t be forbidden fruit anymore.”
    Joan understood his logic. She didn’t want to agree with it, but she understood it. “What about Heather?”
    “Heather will be tied up in mud wraps and massages until at least five.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “Because I don’t leave things to chance.”
    Joan’s eyes narrowed. Was he saying…? “You bribed the salon?”
    He nodded. “Absolutely.”
    Joan glanced around the store. “So you just played me?”
    “Get your other clothes.”
    “No.”
    “We’re going to be late.”
    “I haven’t even said yes.”
    He put a hand on the small of her back and urged her toward the changing room. “But you will.” He paused. “You’re a smart woman, Joan. I don’t represent dummies.”
    “And you’re a devious man, Anthony.” She liked the feel of his hand on her back. She resisted just enough so he’d keep it there.
    “That’s what you pay me for.”
    “I don’t pay you to be devious.”
    “You pay me to look after your best interests.”
    She stopped and turned to look into his eyes, a buzzing sexual arousal combining with a truth she’d never faced before. “I didn’t realize I was paying you to do my dirty work.”
    “We set up an offshore account through three numbered holding companies. What did you think I was doing?”
    Her voice went husky in a moment of pure honesty. “Protecting me.”
    His palm slipped ever so slightly down the curve of her spine. “I’m still protecting you, Joan. This interview is the best way I know to protect you.”
    She remembered his solid presence in