Read Online Beauty Blooming [Bonding Camp 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Christelle Mirin - Free Book Online

Joe said, slipping his arm around her waist. It felt sort of like he was either protecting her or claiming her. Or both. Either way, it made Rachel feel cared for.
    Justice glanced at Joe’s arm, noticing the movement, a small smile gracing his mouth. “I can see that.”
    “She didn’t ask me to or anything. I wanted to spend time with her, that’s all.” Joe tensed beside her.
    Justice laughed. “You don’t have to defend yourself to me,” he said, raising his hands palms forward. “I was just jerking your chain.”
    Rachel let out the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. For a moment there, she thought her job might be in jeopardy for allowing a guest to tend to her menial job. Now she could see the sparkle in Justice’s eyes that clued her in to his real state of mind, and it was obvious he had been teasing.
    “I just finished getting your room ready if you’d like to lie down for a nap before lunch,” Rachel said, looking up into Justice’s playful, hazel eyes. She could truly see why Lauren had fallen so fast and so hard for him during her bonding camp experience. Lauren Brooke, Justice’s wife, had come to the compound when the partners had hired her as an associate lawyer. It hadn’t taken long for her and Justice to fall madly and deeply in love.
    Just like I’m falling for Joe.
    That thought made her blink and swallow hard at the same time. Careful, girl. Don’t let your heart override your head. He hasn’t really told you how he feels about you yet. You may end up getting yourself hurt.
    “Since Lauren couldn’t come with me this time,” Justice said, “I think I will take a short nap before lunch. You’ll wake me?” He raised his eyebrow again.
    Rachel nodded.
    Justice looked at Joe. “Lauren wanted me to tell you she’s very sorry she couldn’t attend your first bonding session. She’s been looking forward to it ever since she hired you.”
    Rachel looked at Joe. His cheeks were slightly flushed. Was he embarrassed? His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.
    “I’m very flattered, but to be honest with you, I’ve sort of got my hands full here with Rachel,” Joe said then smiled.
    “Really?” Justice grinned at Rachel. “Now I’m really looking forward to bonding camp.” He clapped his hands together and bowed slightly at the waist, then straightened. “I’ll let you two get on with what you were doing, and I’ll see you later.” He turned and walked down the hall, heading toward the bedroom area.
    Rachel brushed her hair back from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I was a little worried for a minute there,” she said, moving into the hall.
    Joe let his hand slide down over the curve of her bottom as she moved out of his grasp. “Is it really so bad that I’m helping you do things around the house?”
    Rachel picked up the pace after checking her watch. It was already eleven, and lunch was in an hour. She cut through the dining room on her way to the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure Justice was joking at first,” she said, stopping at the table to smooth a wrinkle in the tablecloth. “The partners do want this to seem like a home away from home for everyone, but then again, we all have our jobs. The partners have a very strong work ethic, and they wouldn’t like it too much, I don’t think, if someone who is supposed to be a guest ends up doing my work for me.” The crisp white linen cloth that graced the dining table was now wrinkle-free.
    “Well, I don’t feel like a guest here. I feel more like family,” Joe said, following her into the kitchen.
    “I’m sure Justice would be pleased to hear that,” Rachel said, digging in the refrigerator for the ingredients to make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches for lunch, along with assorted fresh vegetables and dip. She knew from experience when they had a long bonding camp session planned, it was best that they eat light. Even though the intimacy was pure pleasure on