Read Online Scandalous by Donna Hill - Free Book Online Page B

out of reach. Crystal stood up and patted Vaughn’s busy hands, stilling them. “Listen, I’m not prying. I never have. If you’re happy—whatever the reason—I’m happy. If you feel like talking, you know I’m always here.”
    Vaughn smiled up at her friend of over fifteen years. “Thanks,” she said softly. “I know.”
    â€œGood.” Then Crystal did a quick switchback to her role as chief of staff. “Once you’ve gotten that smile off your face, go over your agenda and let me know if there need to be any changes. Not that anything can be changed.” She smiled mischievously. “But you know how I like your input.”
    Vaughn flashed what could only be termed a sneer. Crystal stuck out her tongue in response.
    â€œI’ll be back in an hour.” Crystal headed for the door.
    â€œCould you send Tess in? I need to respond to these letters.”
    â€œI’ll send her right in.” Crystal closed the door softly behind her.
    As soon as Vaughn was alone, her thoughts drifted back to Justin. She wondered what he was doing right now. Was he thinking of her? Her heart beat a little faster. What was he wearing today? Did he splash on that cologne that made her brain turn to mush?
    She shook her head to clear her thoughts. What was happening to her? This daydreaming and fantasizing was so unlike her. She seemed to have become engulfed in a whirlwind, a storm of unimaginable power. She was spinning helplessly. It was a heady, frightening sensation. For the first time in her life, at least since her teens, her emotions seemed to be totally out of her control. She couldn’t seem to rein them in and put on the brakes. Although there had been other men in her life, she had always felt some sense of control over her feelings, some sense of reality. Not now. And Justin Montgomery was the eye of her storm.
    The light tapping on her door and the ringing of the phone competed for her attention.
    â€œCome in,” she called out, while reaching for her private line.
    â€œYes. Vaughn Hamilton.”
    â€œGood morning, Vaughn.”
    Her stomach did a quick lurch. “Hi, Dad.” She waved Tess inside and motioned for her to sit. “How are you?”
    â€œI’m fine. I thought we could meet for lunch and discuss a few things.”
    Vaughn frowned slightly. She didn’t like the sound of “discuss a few things.”
    â€œHas something come up, Daddy? Because if it’s not urgent, I really have a full schedule today.”
    â€œI believe it would be in your best interest to fit me into your schedule. There are matters that must be dealt with immediately. What time is good for you?” he continued.
    Vaughn sighed heavily and clenched her jaw. She knew she’d give in even as she told her father about her agenda. But she at least wanted to make him feel a twinge of guilt for disrupting her day, though she knew he wouldn’t.
    â€œHow about 2:30?” she said flatly. “I’d really appreciate it if you could come here. It’s going to be difficult for me to get away.”
    â€œI’ll be there at two,” he replied. “Court reconvenes at three. See you then.” Elliott Hamilton hung up the receiver and looked, once again, at the pages in front of him. He pressed his lips together and slid his glasses from his nose. With his free hand, he rubbed it roughly across his face. He didn’t like it; he didn’t like it one bit. Vaughn had to be brought under control. Everything rested on appearances. He’d worked too hard to get her to where she was today. He wasn’t going to let her ruin it; that’s all there was to it. He slapped his hand against his mahogany desk with finality. That’s all there was to it.
    Â 
    The Chaney Building, which housed Justin’s suite of offices, loomed ahead. Moments later, Justin eased his BMW into the underground parking garage and swung