Christmas Star (Contemporary, Romance) Read Online Free Page A

really surprise him. Harrison had always had an eye for beauty. What Clay had in no way expected, however, was the sudden stab of lust that set his own heart racing.
    Starr Lederman, the manager had said. A fitting first name he thought—for a call girl. For that was all she was, Clay reminded himself, as he leapt to block her path. Bought and paid for with McLeod money and who knew how much from innocent taxpayers. Especially as the manager’s wife—the bookkeeper—mentioned Lederman held a state job. No doubt something Harrison had set up.
    Clay had needed only a quick peek at the ledger to identify the token monthly payments for this place. She was a kept woman, plain and simple. His brother’s mistress, housed in luxury. Only she was his property, as well. McLeod property.
    “Don’t hurt me.” Starr shrank from his touch.
    Clay would be damned if he’d be sucked in by her outraged-virgin act. He yanked her back flat against his chest. Spinning her around to face him, he suddenly found her trembling lips far too close and far too attractive. His fingers flexed in the soft flesh he could feel beneath the silky material. Unable to help himself, he pulled her closer as he stared into her wide aquamarine eyes. Eyes darkened with what he assumed was a desire to match his.
    The simple truth was, he wanted his brother’s mistress more than he’d wanted any woman in a long, long while.
    A heartbeat before Clay indulged in what he’d thought would be a mutually satisfying kiss, it registered in his addled brain that she might not be willing, that she was, in fact, trying to scratch his eyes out. Horrified, he broke away. Reining in his runaway lust, he drew back, trying not to breathe in her intoxicating scent. His scowl grew blacker. Partly because of the way she’d flattened herself against the wall, acting for all the world as if she thought he planned to rape her. But mostly because the damn woman looked sweet as sugar candy.
    Sweet? Ha! Sweet women didn’t have afternoon tête-à-têtes with married men. Clay had a very clear picture of what went on in this apartment after dark, on nights when Vanessa thought Harrison was out of town. Adultery was neither sweet nor innocent.
    Disgusted, he stepped back and pulled from his jacket pocket the check he’d already made out. He recounted the zeros scribbled after the ten. Considering how close he’d just come to compromising his own principles, Clay McLeod was very glad he’d decided to be generous. A woman like Starr Lederman probably placed a hefty price tag on every favor she chose to dispense. And judging by the pricey artwork on her walls, his brother had enjoyed plenty of favors.

CHAPTER TWO
    S TARR KEPT HER BACK flattened against the wall. Her heart beat furiously. In spite of her panic, she saw him take a paper from his pocket, put it back and pat his pocket as though satisfied. Rape instructions? She almost laughed hysterically, but swallowed, instead, as he swept off the hat she’d admired earlier and tossed it onto her coffee table.
    He studied her again and she felt his renewed anger. It created a nameless dread in her. Moments ago she’d have sworn he intended to kiss her. Had the circumstances been different, had they at least met before, she might have let him.
    Now what? Her gaze tracked him as he prowled the room. His eyes came to rest on her, and Starr automatically tightened her grip on the robe. Apparently without need. Something about her living room had made him frown again.
    Starr frowned back. There was nothing wrong with her furnishings. Everyone said she had good taste. Twin Wedgewood blue chairs were comfortable, as was a large, overstuffed burgundy-flowered couch accented artfully with the same blue tones.
    Perhaps the brass-and-glass tables were too modern, but they didn’t intrude. Ah—the signed Monet prints that had belonged to her grandfather. Starr relaxed—a little. So, he was nothing more than a common thief.
    Common, but