Read Online Snowed by Pamela Burford - Free Book Online

released her hands.
    “No
—
it’s not that.”
    “Is it what happened last night? With Carleton? Leah, you must know I’d never hurt you.” He tried to turn her face, to make her look at him.
    “I just can’t, James. That’s all.”
    After a moment he said, “I see.” He stood and grabbed his snifter, downing the contents in one swallow. The low-burning flames highlighted his bold features, making him look almost sinister. The snug jeans he wore did little to conceal his state of arousal.
    “Tell me something, Leah. Why did you come to New York?”
    “I
—
I told you
—
”
    “Don’t insult my intelligence. I don’t believe that tourist crap for an instant. You’re not a very good liar.”
    She swallowed hard. “My reasons for doing what I do and going where I go are my own. It’s none of your business.”
    “It’s my business when someone gets herself stuck in my home and proceeds to feed me lies.”
    “You’re riled because I won’t sleep with you, that’s all,” she blustered, coming unsteadily to her feet.
    “How did you end up at my house?”
    “I met Mike Carleton and he...he was coming here and he invited me. It was a date. You know that already.”
    “So.” He started pacing. “A lovely young woman comes to New York on vacation. Alone. She wanders into the Carleton Gallery. Mike Carleton
—
a man with the personality of a wet toilet seat
—
miraculously turns himself into Prince Charming long enough to talk her into accompanying him to a surprise birthday party for the gallery’s featured photographer.”
    She looked past his shoulder
—
anywhere but at those blue eyes that seemed to burn through her. “I don’t know why you find that so improbable.”
    “On its face it’s not, but as I said, you’re a lousy liar. And a bit too nosy about things that are none of your concern.”
    “Curiosity’s not a crime.”
    “A word of advice. Before you waste any more time or effort on your little scheme, whatever it is, let me warn you. You picked the wrong sucker. I have too much experience with lying females who are after something and think there’s one tried-and-true way to get it.”
    Her mouth dropped open at the ugly implication. “I told you I’m not going to sleep with you.”
    His smile was malicious. “Not tonight maybe. You probably figure you have the next two or three days to string me along, get me all worked up, ripe for the plucking.”
    “What on earth do you imagine I want from you?”
    “Money or some variation thereof usually tops the list. Followed closely by fame.” He eyed her appraisingly. “Though if you have your heart set on being the next supermodel, you should’ve started a few years ago.”
    Was that what James’s late wife had done? Used him to further her career?
    “You know, I thought you were different,” he said, his tone regretful. “But you were just inept. That’s what threw me off. You’ll have to polish your act
—
learn how to look a man in the eye when you lie to him.” He reached out and stroked her cheek, but there was no warmth in the caress. “Keep that air of guileless southern charm, though. It’s very effective.”
    “It’s not like that, James,” she whispered.
    “Then tell me you haven’t deceived me.”
    She tried to hold his gaze and failed. Her silence told him all he needed to know. He yanked his hand away as if he couldn’t bear to touch her.
    “You’re right. I did seek you out,” she said, knowing she should have told him the truth that morning and gotten it all out in the open then. She’d wanted to spare him the hurtful knowledge of what kind of man his father had been, but her good intentions had backfired. “I kind of tricked Mike into bringing me here. I was after something
—
something I can no longer hope to attain.”
    “You’ve got that right,” James said, and held up his palm when she started to elaborate. “Whatever it is, keep it to yourself. All I want is for you to stay away