Read Online Seduction and Surrender (The Billionaire's Temptation Series) by Cali MacKay - Free Book Online Page A

was the sexiest thing he’d seen in a very long time, all attitude and sass, and clearly not aware of just how gorgeous she was. “As for walking in these things, you can thank my friend Ivy for that. She insisted I practice and wouldn’t let up until I could manage it without killing myself.”
    “Then I’ll have to send her my thanks, since I prefer you in one piece.” They stepped out into the cool night air and the salty scent of the ocean. Though it was October, the weather had been unusually mild, even if the evenings had started to cool down. “Don’t suppose I could interest you in a walk on the beach? I’m not ready for this night to come to an end just yet.”
    “I’m here on your dime, Quinn.” The bitterness in her voice caught him off guard—and she must have realized exactly how it sounded because she turned towards him and grabbed his hand. “Wait…I’m sorry. That was unfair and mean of me to say.”
    “It’s not far from the truth though, is it?” And why the hell did it bother him? It’s not as though he hadn’t been the one to set it all up—and the women he normally dated were far worse and far more blatant about what they wanted from him, even as they lied about it.
    “Actually it is.” She let out a sigh as she shook her head, as if she were tired of fighting with him. “It’s just that I’ve never been the sort to ask anyone for help. If something needs to get done, I do it. So the fact that something as important as the fate of my restaurant is completely out of my control makes me crazy. And yes…I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the Old Port going, since there’s too much at stake. But being blackmailed into being your date or sleeping with you puts my back up and makes me feel exactly like the women who date you just because they want something.”
    “And that’s all because I’ve forced your hand.” When she nodded and looked away, on the verge of tears, he felt a pang of remorse that he’d made a critical mistake with her. He knew she was different—hell, it’d been the reason he liked her so much—and yet he’d expected her to react in exactly the same way as all the other women he’d been trying to avoid. “Come here, Emma.”
    She shook her head and turned away from him, though he refused to let her go, especially when she was clearly upset. With an insistent touch, he took her hand and pulled her to him, relieved when she didn’t fight him. He held her tightly to him as she leaned her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, letting out a deep breath, some of the tension in her body easing. “I know you think I’m a bastard and it’s probably not far from the truth, but I’m sorry if I’ve put you in an uncomfortable situation. That was never my intention.”
    She pulled away just enough to look up at him and then went up onto her toes to kiss his cheek. “I appreciate you saying so.”
    “Come on. Let’s go for that walk on the beach. I’m not ready to take you home yet.” He brushed the hair from her face as a breeze tugged at her locks, though it was no more than an excuse to touch her skin and continue holding her close. With her lush curves still pressed against him, his body couldn’t help but react to having her so close, and that meant he was left struggling to put a coherent thought together that didn’t involve her naked with his cock buried deep inside her.
    “As long as I get to kick off these heels—and as long as you promise to behave yourself.” He was already leading her towards the beach, the path visible just beyond the parking lot.
    “Emma, I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” And there was no way he’d be able to keep his hands off her for long. “I refuse to lie to you, and I’ll admit, I’m still hoping the night will end with you screaming my name as you come apart in my arms.”
    She gave him a teasing glare, her full lips pursed as if in thought. “I’m starting to think you say