Read Online High-Society Seduction by Maxine Sullivan - Free Book Online

faked a smile. “Okay, why not?”
    He must have sensed the subtle difference in her attitude because his eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t give him the chance to talk. She stepped around him and continued walking, and he fell into step beside her.
    They ended up playing roulette at the casino for a couple of hours. Jenna wasn’t a big gambler but surprisingly she enjoyed it. Her ex-boyfriend, Lewis, had brought her here a couple of times and had once got himself half-drunk and caused a small scene. Being with Adam was different. He had total control of himself, and he seemed delighted in her excitement when she won a small amount at the table.
    Around seven they strolled up the stunning black marble staircase to one of the lavish restaurants, the sound of the fountains near the entrance echoing high up the stairs. It was early and the restaurant was just starting to fill up, but the maître d’ knew Adam and welcomed him with deference, then took them to an intimate table in the corner. No doubt Adam had brought many women here. But Jenna wasn’t really one of them, and that was another reminder this was all a farce. One she shouldn’t forget. She was wallpaper for him, that’s all.
    Adam nodded to someone at a table across the room, then smiled back at Jenna like she was his everything. “Good. Word should get back to Chelsea now.”
    She smiled tightly. “Perfect.”
    They ordered the meal, and once alone again he gave her another smile. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you today, Jenna.”
    She knew this was an act for the benefit of others. “It was a nice day,” was all she could manage.
    His gaze rested on her. “I mean it.”
    She tried to steady her breathing. “Don’t get comfortable with me, Adam. I’m only here with you because of my brother.”
    He leaned back farther in his chair, his mouth thinning slightly. “Ahh, bring it all back to that. It’s good protection.”
    “I don’t need protection from you. I can handle myself.”
    “Don’t challenge me, Jenna.”
    She wanted to dare him, but something…the way he narrowed his eyes…said he was waiting for her to do just that and he didn’t care right then that they were in a roomful of people.
    “I wouldn’t give you the satisfaction,” she said, pasting on a smile when she saw the waiter returning with their drinks.
    After a delicious meal that she couldn’t do justice to, he took her home at a fairly early hour, insisting on walking her to her door. She felt obliged to invite him in for coffee, but her tone said she’d prefer he didn’t accept.
    He accepted.
    “You have a nice apartment,” he said, as she put the coffeepot on.
    “Thanks.” She turned away, concentrating on preparing the brew. He’d been here last night before the ball, though he hadn’t looked at anything but her.
    And then there had been that kiss….
    “You own it?”
    She hoped he thought the flush in her cheeks was from annoyance. “Now is that a polite question to ask?”
    “I doubt I was trying to be polite,” he mused.
    “Yes, I forgot who I was talking to for a minute there,” she scoffed, then admitted, “Yes, it’s mine.”
    No need to tell him the loan was almost killing her in repayments. Her job paid well, but interest rates had gone up recently. If only she’d known Stewart was going to need money before she’d put her life savings down as a deposit. She would have rented for a while longer until her brother was paid back the money owed to him by the Roths.
    She shook off her thoughts, and they had their coffee while Adam told her a story about an interior decorator he’d dated who’d once painted huge daisies on his living-room wall—in bright orange.
    “You didn’t like it?” Jenna joked.
    His lips twisted. “There’s a moral to the story. Don’t break up with a woman until she’s finished the decorating.” He drained his cup and put it down on the table. “Now, it’s Sunday tomorrow. What will you be