Read Online Seduction by the Book by Linda Conrad - Free Book Online Page B

died—just exactly like the joke her brother-in-law taught her.
    But how fantastic it was to have captured that power, even if just for a few minutes. A vision ran through her head of how it had been. Of having his mouth on hers. Of the warmth and tenderness of his touch, and of the flames in his eyes when he gazed at her naked body.
    â€œOh, dear Lord,” she softly groaned aloud. The ending of this fairy-tale romance was not going to be a happily ever after.
    The two of them surely must have been under some sort of spell tonight. But thank heaven for it. Otherwise she would never have known…
    She gazed down at his long silver lashes, spilling over his cheeks as he slumbered beside her. In her soul, she knew he was going to eventually regret what they’d done.
    Making love to her boss had definitely been wrong. But she’d wanted him so badly. Now all she wanted was for him to allow her to continue to be his assistant. She wasn’t sure she could bear it if he sent her away now. Not before she made sure he was healthy and settled in his new life.
    Nick had to care a little about her, he’d made that clear enough. Perhaps she could figure out how to make him want to keep her with him for a while longer. Maybe just until she could think about losing him forever without having this horrible ache in her heart.
    Fighting off the pain, she gently flipped a lock of his hair back off his forehead. Such soft hair, so smooth and silky. She swallowed the tears that threatened.
    â€œHello, beautiful,” he said as he lifted heavy eyelids to look at her. “You doing all right?”
    She nodded, but could find no words as he rubbed a warm palm up her arm. Heat and desire were still in his eyes. She was so glad not to see regret in them yet, that it was all she could do not to sob openly with relief.
    â€œThat was amazing,” he murmured. “You’re amazing.”
    The tears escaped, falling against her will.
    â€œHey. What’s wrong? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
    Shaking her head, she blinked hard and took a breath. “Certainly not. It’s just that…we’re going to regret this after the storm is over, aren’t we?”
    â€œCome here, Annie. Just let me hold you a second.” He wrapped her up in his arms and placed tiny, whispered kisses against her hair. “I will never regret one second of my time with you. And I would hope that we can grow closer because of what’s been between us, not more distant.
    â€œAfter the storm, we can still work together,” he continued with a soft sigh. “But we’ll be friends who’ve shared something special. Simple, right?”
    The words didn’t feel right to her. There was something about what he’d said that seemed wrongheaded. The very idea of it sounded too easy, and she worried that nothing about how she felt now could ever be classified as simple.
    But Annie wouldn’t tell him no. She was sure she could never say no to this wonderful man.
    â€œOkay, I guess. Sure,” she said against his chest. It was so safe and warm here, she might’ve agreed to anything just to be able to stay exactly like this—in the heat and glory of his arms.
    â€œGreat. Now then…” He began to unwrap his arms from around her as he dragged them both up to sitting positions.
    â€œThe storm can’t be over yet,” she whined and clung to him. “I can still hear the rain on the shutters.”
    Nick glanced at her face as the candlelight danced over her skin. He let his gaze drop to her naked chest where her nipples stood peaked and high. “Um…no, not yet. But I sort of thought you might need time. I stillbelieve you’re going to be sore after your first experience—and I was getting hungry. But…”
    Nick grabbed her up and tumbled them both to the rug, loving the way she’d gasped then sighed as he clamped his mouth on hers. Letting his