Read Online Private Indiscretions by Susan Crosby - Free Book Online Page A

could remove it had his imagination working overtime, but he picked up his wine instead. “My car broke down in front of an army recruiting office. The recruiter bought me breakfast and talked me into enlisting, said I’d have plenty of money for college when I got out. I stayed in for eight years.”
    â€œDid you go to college?”
    â€œNo.” He hadn’t even regretted it.
    She eyed the tray, then picked up an olive. “Why did you leave home so fast?”
    â€œYou of all people should know the answer to that. There was no reason to stay.” My father was a drunk. Your parents didn’t want me near you. And you—you wouldn’t even look at me at graduation. Any one of those reasons would have been enough. Instead, he’d had all three.
    â€œI’m sorry you got hurt.” She laid a hand on his. “There’s something you should know.”
    He didn’t want to hear any more about the past. And now the present was getting complicated. “Look, Dana, it’s over and done as far as I’m concerned. End of a very old chapter.” She was asking too many questions. He had a few of his own. Instead, he made a point of looking at his watch then set his wineglass on the tray. “I need to go.”
    â€œSam?”
    He froze as he felt her hand against his back. “What?”
    â€œThis is it, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt?”
    â€œThe end of the road. You won’t contact me again.”
    He finally sat back and looked at her. “The stakes are too high. For both of us.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m the invisible partner in my firm, and I like it thatway. And you’re one of the most eligible women in the state. People are watching you.”
    â€œYou’re saying we can’t date because it could hurt your career?”
    â€œYes.” Among other reasons. “And yours, too.”
    Her gaze was steady, the pause long. “Then, you owe me a kiss.”
    He didn’t pretend not to understand. She was referring to the night of the prom when he’d left her at her doorstep without even a handshake. He’d ached to kiss her. Had hungered for it for so long he thought he might die of it. He had no reason not to kiss her now.
    He slipped his hand under her hair and along her neck, drawing her forward. He hesitated even when he didn’t want to. He shouldn’t do this. It could only cause problems—
    â€œDon’t think,” she said, soft and urgent, reading his mind. “Just do.”
    It wasn’t only her command that made him close the gap but the fulfillment of a dream.
    Her lips quivered beneath his, then went lax when he pressed a little harder. Ah, but she tasted good, smelled good, felt good. She flattened a hand to his chest, made a sexy little sound as she brought herself closer. He deepened the contact, savoring her. A Chardonnay kiss, full-bodied, crisp, intoxicating. The actuality matched his every fantasy. He felt her lean into him, felt her hands slip around his neck, bringing herself closer.
    Electricity shot through him, surging farther and faster by the second, overloading his system…
    He had to break the contact. He forced himself to pull back. She let her hands slide down his shoulders and re-settle on his chest, keeping the connection, the delicate contact arousing him even more. Her eyes were still closed. If he hadn’t looked away to break the spell, he wouldn’t have seen the shadowy figure at the window, watching them.Hilda. She stepped back instantly. It cooled Sam faster than a loaded gun pointed to his head.
    â€œAre you sure this can’t go any further?” Dana asked, trailing a finger down his tie, finally opening her eyes.
    He caught her hand. “I’m sure.”
    â€œHow about if we just sleep together?” She looked surprised at her own words.
    Stop fueling my dreams. “You deserve more than that. Too much secrecy for