Business Pleasures (Pleasures of the Heart) Read Online Free

he opened his oceanfront condo, allowing her to enter. From the small foyer, she had a great view of the living room. On the far wall, sheer white curtains covered large windows. Beyond those curtains, she guessed, the beach must spread out in quite a vista. The walls were painted a soft, buttery cream color, adding warmth to the spacious room. “This is not what I expected.”
    Stepping further into the living room, she heard him set his keys on the coffee table beside them. “What were you expecting?”
    She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. It’s so non-lawyer-like. It’s warm and inviting.”
    A chuckle burst from his lips. “Being a lawyer is my job, not who I am.”
    She slouched slightly, feeling like a petty bitch. “I’m sorry. I offended you.”
    Closing the gap between them, he placed his hands on her shoulders and tugged her back into his front. “No, you didn’t.” His breath feathered over her neck as he lowered his mouth to her ear. “It’d take a lot more than an offhand observation for you to offend me.”
    The hairs on her nape and her arms stood on end when he lowered his mouth and pressed his lips to her neck. Her whole body heated and she squeezed her thighs together as her pussy pulsed. God, she wanted to do this, needed to do this.
    Lifting her arm, she threaded her fingers through his hair. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”
    He pulled her tighter against him. “Are you sure?”
    No. Then again, she’d never been sure about anything. Although she promised to follow her heart and not the image of men her mind created—the image that they were all monsters like her ex. Roger seemed like the ideal man when she’d met him. One who could give her a perfect life with the perfect husband who came from money. All that perfection went up in flames as soon as the doors closed on their wedding night and the true Roger came out.
    Tonight, she saw a different side to Kenton, a personal side similar to, yet more relaxed than, his professional side. Her heart said to go for it.
    “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve hid from the world for far too long. I need to learn to live.” She turned in his arms and met his stare. “My first marriage mirrored the ones most people only see in a psycho-thriller on the Lifetime channel.”
    His pupils widened a fraction as his lids narrowed, but to her relief he didn’t ask for details. But Kenton wouldn’t need to. He was the smartest person she knew and he’d connect the dots.
    When he didn’t speak, she added, “I’m tired of trying to hold onto the control and want to do something reckless. Like sleeping with my boss.”
    One side of his mouth lifted. “I’m far from a reckless person.”
    “That’s what makes you safe.” Slipping her hand to the back of his head, she pulled his lips to hers.
    Thrusting his tongue inside her mouth, Kenton gripped her ass and lifted her. Instantly, she wrapped her legs around his waist and ground her hips into him. Every movement against his slacks covered erection pushed her closer to the edge.
    A moment later, the cool cotton of the bedspread touched her arms as he lowered her to the mattress. He kissed his way down her cheek to her collarbone, then to the top of the low neckline of her dress. Each touch of his lips left a hot trail of tingles on her skin.
    He rose on his knees between her thighs and gently tugged her to sit up. When he reached behind her and started to unzip her dress, every muscle in her body went taut and fear sliced her insides. His fingers stilled at her back and she meet his worried gaze.
    “What is it?” he asked, his voice soft, gentle, and without judgment.
    “Remember the psycho-thriller life?” When he nodded, she averted her gaze. “I have scars.” Her vision blurred and she closed her eyes to hold in the tears. Why, after all this time, did she still allow her past to control her?
    He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up slightly, making her open her eyes