Illicit Craving (Bend To My Will #5) Read Online Free

best to keep it private and avoid unwelcome disapproval. Yet Vivienne cared less and less about that, focused solely on the man she loved.
    As she strolled along the sidewalk, Vivienne spotted a café and ducked inside to grab an iced coffee. Then she went back to the small park near her building, and took a seat on a bench to watch the pigeons.
    When she slipped her phone out of her purse, Vivienne noticed an email from Irene Lake. She scanned it, happy to hear that her mother had attended a church picnic, a sign that she was feeling better. And she was getting more hours at the restaurant.
    In a reply, Vivienne told her mother she was glad to know things were going well, and shared that the new online business should be up and running soon. Knowing it would be a comfort to her mother, Vivienne mentioned Jacob and that they’d had a good weekend together. If her mother knew the real details, she would be concerned, but that wasn’t something Vivienne intended to share.
    Since it was Sunday, it was a good time to text her father. The last time they’d messaged, Vivienne had just recovered from her illness. Fortunately, he hadn’t heard about it until she was well. Otherwise he might have taken off work to come see her.
    Hey, Dad.
    Good to hear from you, Vivie. Are you doing okay?
    Yes, wonderful.
    You know I’d come, if you need me.
    No, really, I’m totally over that virus.
    Still seeing Jacob?
    Yes, we spent the weekend together.
    He better be good to you. I want to meet him.
    Jacob would love to meet you too. Let me know when you can get away.
    Will do. I love you, honey.
    I love you too, Dad.
    Vivienne knew her dad was kidding about Jacob being good to her, sort of. He was her father, and didn’t want her hooking up with a guy who wasn’t right for her. But she was the only one who could make that decision. Although she could see that Jacob was bad for her, in the ways that he had mentioned, she could only encompass the good. Bad was relative, anyway. Any relationship took work, and whatever she had to face with Jacob, she would.
    *****
    Early on Monday, an email arrived from Alfred to set up a time for a conference call with key providers, who were involved in the new online business. A tentative date to launch Sensual Scents had been set, contingent on the support structure being in place. There was no mention of a trip to Paris, and Vivienne predicted it wouldn’t happen until after the launch, which was very time-consuming.
    Until the call, Vivienne focused on projects for Vee’s, which was still her main business. It was good to see large orders from regular customers, as well as from new ones. The shop was a source of pride. Vivienne had started it on her own, and after much hard work, it had flourished. Her dream of acting had faded into the background.
    The hours sped by, but just before the call, Vivienne took a couple of minutes to check on Luke. He didn’t require much supervision, so she didn’t have to devote attention to the warehouse, or the handling and stocking of deliveries. Finding that he had everything under control, she went back to her office.
    The conference started on time, and ran until after lunch. When it ended, Vivienne was starved, and grabbed her purse to go out for food. When she walked down the hallway, she heard Milo’s voice and stopped cold. That was one man she didn’t want to see today, cringing at the thought of his lecherous looks and inappropriate behavior. She’d listen to be sure he didn’t start hitting on her assistant.
    “That perfume was great,” Milo said. “I’d like to buy another bottle for my sister.”
    Vivienne wondered if that was true, as he didn’t seem like the thoughtful-brother type.
    “Excellent choice,” Michele said. “And lucky enough, we have one in stock. It’s been a popular choice.”
    “Is Vivie around? I thought I’d say hello while I’m here,” Milo said.
    “She’s in her office, but on a very important conference