His Tempest Read Online Free Page A

manager couldn’t. As much as his dad stayed on his back, he allowed Colin to make the decisions.
    His dad hounded him about everything, including settling down and getting married. Images of Noelle flashed in his mind. He saw her as a wife, a mother. She was the one woman who— whoa. You’ve only been with her a few hours, he told himself. Come tomorrow evening you’ll probably have a totally different perspective.
    But something deep in his gut told him he wouldn’t. Noelle was real. She was the kind of woman he stayed away from. She was a woman he couldn’t keep his mind off.

    Colin arrived at Noelle’s apartment at five sharp the next afternoon. He’d been so eager to be with her again, he’d counted the hours and kept wondering why. Then he gave up. She was ready—for something and so was he. But ready for what? No complications. Not now.
    And although she was dressed casually in jeans with a pretty green sweater, she was every bit as astonishing as she’d been the day before. He couldn’t fathom it. A friend had told him love would hit him that way. But this wasn’t love, he told himself. It was lust, pure and simple. He understood lust.
    â€œYou’re going to have to get rid of that jacket if you don’t want barbecue sauce on it,” Noelle said.
    â€œSo it’s ribs.”
    â€œThe best ribs you’ve ever wrapped your lips around. We’re going to Neely’s.”
    â€œWell, lead the way, ma’am.”
    She directed him to Neely’s and in no time they were both greasy with sauce that was so delicious Noelle always had to diet for two days after going there. She only hoped there was a good rib place in Virginia.
    â€œTell me about your farm. How long have you worked there?”
    â€œI don’t own it personally. My father owns half, now that my grandfather is gone. He owned half the farm and his friend of many years, George Avery, owns the other half. At one time the Avery family owned the whole thing until my grandfather bought half of it. Racing was always in his blood. He’s originally from horse country in Kentucky and worked with horses to help pay for college.”
    They finished their meal and drove along the picturesque Riverside Drive, then sat near the Church by the River and watched boats go by.
    â€œThere was a yellow fever epidemic in 1807 that killed most of the people in Memphis. The black burial ground is here.” They sat quietly for several moments thinking of the devastation. It was still, and winter birds soared across the horizon.
    Soon evening slipped in and they walked along Beale Street. Lively blues music was seeping out of the doors of several brightly lit clubs, still, peace settled over Colin. He glanced at Noelle. Her hair was windblown, her face fresh and lively. He was amazed at how much he was enjoying himself.
    Then his cell phone rang and he glanced at the number. His dad.
    â€œGeorge told me about the horse you bought,” Leander Mayes jumped right in. “You didn’t get my permission to pay good money for a mare.”
    â€œWe did a trade. A no-cash deal.”
    â€œWell, you should have informed me before you made the trip.”
    â€œYou were out of town. Besides, I didn’t think you were interested.”
    â€œI am where finances are concerned.”
    â€œDad, why don’t you let George and me run the—” Colin had to hold the phone from his ear while his dad fussed for a good three minutes before he disconnected.
    â€œWant a drink?” Colin asked Noelle then. “I need one if you don’t.”
    â€œSure.” Noelle hoped he wasn’t in the habit of drinking his problems away. “Do you realize your phone and ring tone are just like mine?”
    â€œYou’re kidding. Maybe one of us should change the ring or you might end up answering my phone.”
    They slipped into a club where a blues band was playing. A woman