Driven to Temptation Read Online Free Page B

Aidan stood a few feet away, one hand held out to stop oncoming traffic. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but she felt his gaze on her, saw his encouraging smile and the nod he sent her direction.
    And before she realized what was happening, she felt a rush of air as the dog made a quick gallop past Delaney, toward Aidan, like it’d found its long-lost friend. Or an enemy it needed to take down.
    Crap.
    Aidan held his arms out in front of him, waved his hands, and his mouth opened as if to say something.
    Before she could move a muscle, the Great Dane jumped toward him, front paws on Aidan’s shirt. His pristine blue-and-white-striped shirt. Well, once-pristine shirt, anyway.
    Delaney raced toward them, her heart beating erratically. Oh God. Aidan getting mauled to death wouldn’t get her far in the promotion department. She had to pull the dog off. Maybe someone could call 911. Was there a first aid kit in his truck? Why hadn’t she thought to ask?
    By the time she reached the pair, two things registered. First, her boss was sprawled flat on his back, the Great Dane’s paws on his chest. Second, there was no blood. Instead, there were loud, slurping sounds as the four-legged animal lavished Aidan with its tongue while its tail wagged like it was waving in a central Oregon windstorm.
    Thank God. Delaney breathed out a sigh of relief, lowered her hand from where she’d held it against her chest.
    “Aidan? Aidan? You okay? Are you hurt?” If he was, she could probably kiss her promotion bye-bye.
    “Oh, shit,” he groaned. “I’m allergic to dogs.”
    “You’re allergic to dogs?”
    Aidan nodded. At least, she was pretty sure he was nodding behind the hands he held up to protect his face.
    Great. Just great. Her résumé shouldn’t be too hard to update.
    Delaney braced her legs shoulder width apart, grabbed the dog’s collar, and yanked. Nothing happened. Holy hell. The beast was determined to stay plastered to him.
    She kicked off her kitten heels and planted her feet again, ignoring the sun-warmed pavement biting into the soles of her feet. She yanked on the collar with every ounce of strength she had in her. “C’mon, you. I promise Aidan doesn’t taste as good as you think.”
    Her face heated as her words sank in. Fortunately, he didn’t catch the unintended double entendre.
    “Gee, thanks,” he said drily, his head turned to one side.
    “What? You want me to let go?”
    “No.”
    “Didn’t think so,” she huffed, tugging harder. “Hey, you. Sit.”
    The dog sat.
    And Delaney landed flat on her butt.
    “Ouch!” Her eyes widened, and she stared at the Great Dane’s black-spotted back, tail thumping wildly. Its attention was still squarely focused on Aidan as he scrambled to his feet.
    She frowned. The fact that the furry beast might’ve had dog etiquette lessons never occurred to her.
    He took a step back, brushing dirt and dog fur off his clothes. “You okay?” he asked, pulling his sunglasses off.
    “I think so.” She pushed herself to a sitting position, then examined her hands and forearms. “Doesn’t feel like I broke anything.”
    His gaze swept over her, then snapped to capture hers. “You’d better get up.” He glanced at her legs before turning away.
    They were spread apart, her professional-length skirt riding high up her thighs. “Oh God. Sorry.” She pulled her legs together and scrambled to her feet.
    Yep, the curse of girlie-girl clothes had struck again. Her face burned hotter. How much of an eyeful did he get?
    She slipped into her shoes, traffic behind them suddenly registering when someone honked on a horn.
    “We’d better get off the street.” Aidan turned his attention to the Great Dane. He hesitated as if trying to decide what to do, then shrugged. “Come.”
    The dog stood up, then walked to his side, tail wagging. Delaney suspected all he’d have to do was move and the dog would follow him. Or stare mournfully.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were