Embraced By Passion Read Online Free

maleness.”
    “Is that why you’re so happy she’s marrying her Gene?”
    “Her Gene.” She giggled. “Love that. Actually, yes. He treats her the way every woman wants to be, respectfully, adored, loved. He doesn’t change because I’m there or if his friends show up for poker night. He lets everyone know she’s the light of his life. I’d hoped for this. But they’re older and both cautiously set in their ways. It’s not easy to make that much of an adjustment.”
    The car slowed and a moment later, the doors opened. Unable to resist, he settled a palm to her lower back and guided her to the floor desk. “Judy, could you call Carl, and have him bring the sedan? Miss Brigit needs a ride back to her hotel.”
    “Certainly.” The woman hardly blinked, lifting the receiver to make the call.
    “Then it will please her to have you there?”
    “She’ll be thrilled.” Deep blue, like the Atlantic Ocean, her eyes regarded him.
    “Then it will be our personal gift to see you make it there.”
    “Really, you don’t—”
    “And have her gift not make it? Travesty,” he teased, grinning with a lightness that warmed him from his soul outward. He’d do anything for this blonde-haired lovely to see her smile like she had at his poking fun. “Tomorrow night, seven. We’ll take off no later than eight-thirty.”
    Indecision warred on her features. Lifting a hand, he touched her cheek. “For your mother.” His heart pounded at the simple contact. What would it feel like to kiss her? It had been decades since he’d kissed a woman. Not since he’d met Slone. Her softness would be unique, and addictive.
    “He wants to kiss me .”
    Ja’Rol blinked, stunned that her thoughts were so clear, so quickly. If there had been any doubts, that destroyed it. Only souls who completed each other could hear or speak to another. After the shock of hearing her voice receded, he recognized what those words had been.
    Not wanting to threaten her, he let his fingers slip away. God, yes, he did, but not yet. Not now.
    “Sir?” A male voice interrupted them.
    A drawn breath helped to center him. He stood straight. She only came to his shoulder, bringing up his protective nature once more. Carl was a trusted employee, though still a male. Ja’Rol dug deep to find his professional coolness, because the last thing he really wanted to do was let her leave with him.
    “Carl, please take Miss Brigit to her hotel. In fact, if she has any needs for today or tomorrow, please take her. She will be traveling tomorrow and may need to make purchases.”
    “Oh! I couldn’t.”
    “I insist. Cabs are unruly, and simply put, unclean. As an aside, Carl will assist you if you need him to.”
    “Assist?” she queried, her gaze flipping back and forth to land on Carl.
    “He means protect you. It’s part of my job,” he informed her with ease.
    She crossed her arms, a challenge in her stance. “For all his women?”
    Carl and Ja’Rol shared a look, then both laughed quietly. Carl knew the truth about him and Slone, but he wouldn’t expose that either.
    “Follow me, Miss Brigit. It’s a pleasure to be of any help to you.” Carl turned on a heel and paused, leaving her question unanswered.
    “Goodbye, Brigit. It was a deep honor to meet you.”
    She twitched her lips in debate, one side then the other. Eventually, need and opportunity won out over suspicion.
    “Goodbye,” she replied, then relenting, offered her hand. “I accept your offer to see me to my mother’s wedding.” But I’ll find a way to make up for it.
    Ja’Rol hid his frown at her determined thoughts. The last thing he wanted was for this woman to think she owed them for their generosity, considering how self-serving, in truth, it really was. Clasping her lightly, he said his goodbye and watched her leave with Carl down the lobby to the side service doors.
    “Amazing ,” he murmured to his lover floors over his head when she was out of sight. “Do you think