Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) Read Online Free Page A

Lainey, but she reminded herself that Lainey and Jack had problems before Eve came into their lives. Thankfully, the shoot had gone smoothly, and the relationship between Jack and Eve began to settle.
    Eve picked up her favorite photo, and touched a finger to Bella’s beautiful, chubby face. In the photo, Eve held Bella and Adam’s arms wrapped around them both protectively and lovingly. Adam peered down at the two of them, while Eve hugged Bella close, and leaned her head on Adam’s shoulder with her eyes closed in blissful happiness. The smiles on their faces clearly showed the joy and love they felt for each other and their baby girl. A small smile touched Eve’s lips, thinking about the loves of her life. Her family. She went from having no one in her life, to being surrounded by incredible, loving people. It was almost more than she could conceive of.
    For her entire life, she didn’t believe she deserved love. The monstrous things her father made her do killed that hope for Eve. He had made her a whore—at least in her mind—and she didn’t think she would ever be able to open herself up enough to let someone in. It was Lainey who showed Eve that she was, indeed, worthy of love. Even though Eve was involved with Adam, she kept had their relationship strictly physical. It killed her not to let him in, but she just didn’t know how. Nightmares kept her from letting Adam sleep with her. Shame kept her from letting Adam love her enough to erase her past.
    Eve found it easier to open up to Lainey. This was mainly because Lainey was married, and that made Lainey safe. This was also because Eve knew, deep in her heart, that Lainey was in love with her husband, Jack, despite the problems they were having. She knew it was selfish of her to take advantage of Lainey’s situation, but Lainey was no less a willing participant. When the guilt started setting in for the both of them—not to mention their lives being on the line—they made the decisions that were best for them.
    That brought them to where they are now, almost two years later. Eve, married to Adam with a daughter. Lainey and Jack doing well, their sons happy to have their parents not fighting anymore. They were happy. Or so that was what Eve thought before this morning when Lainey confused the hell out of her.
    Again, she had to push that aside and focus on her work. James would find out what he could, and until then, Eve’s life would go on. Adam’s celebration dinner was going to be wonderful. This weekend, Bella’s birthday celebration would be spectacular. She knew this because she would make it so. Eve was a self-made, successful woman. Despite her past, or perhaps because of it, she vowed to herself, to her mother—who was murdered by her father—that she would make something of herself.
    Eve wasted no time doing just that. She owned restaurants and clubs, as well as some of the most prestigious art galleries in and out of the country. Now, with Bella and Adam, Eve had everything, and she would do anything she had to do to keep it.

 
     
    Eve stood just inside the door and waited for Adam. Bella has already been dropped off at Lainey’s parents house with Kevin and Darren, Lainey was home with Jack getting ready for the night, and Eve opened a bottle of champagne and dressed—or rather undressed—for the occasion. She and Adam were going to start the celebration early.
    Eve’s lips twitched just thinking about what she wanted to do with Adam. To him. Her mouth watered, and she felt the arousal begin a slow burn in her stomach. She felt him near even before she heard the car door slam shut, and the slow burn became a fierce smolder. With two champagne glasses in hand, she turned up her mega-watt smile—the one that could make men drop to their knees—and waited with anticipation.
    Adam turned the doorknob, feeling a sudden spike in his heartbeat. He only felt that spike when Eve was near. Just thinking about her, he felt a twinge in his