Indigo Spell Read Online Free Page B

And you’re not a snob.”
     
    Tess swept a gaze around the eat-in kitchen with the French doors, which opened out onto a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Just down the way was the Battery, Charleston’s well-known park and lovers’ meeting place. She often went there alone just to think but the influx of couples walking hand in hand usually depressed her enough to send her hurrying back to the sanctuary of her home.
     
    Belinda added, “Okay, so you live like a snob but you’re not your mother.”
     
    A grin crossed Tess’ face. “I don’t think there’s anyone who can equal Mom’s personality.”
     
    “Snobbery is not a personality trait. It’s a personality flaw.”
     
    “Have you forgotten that Colleen Montgomery has no flaws? Just ask her.” Tess continued to grin as she began to clean up the kitchen.
     
    “Why don’t you let your maid do that and come for a drive with me? We need to go shopping.”
     
    “For what?”
     
    “You need the perfect outfit for Saturday night.”
     
    One hip against the counter, Tess studied her friend. “Belle, I only invited Mr. Richards over because you paid a helluva lot of my money for him. Remind me to bring that up again later, by the way. Anyway, once dinner is done, he’ll be on his way and I will have fulfilled my portion of this charity auction. So please don’t count on anything happening beyond two adults sharing a cordial meal.”
     
    “You make it sound so exciting.”
     
    Was the flush on her cheeks noticeable? It was getting as steamy in her kitchen as it had been on that damned stage. “It’s not supposed to be exciting. This is something I have to endure. As a lady, I will endure it. In fact I’ve planned a very pleasant evening.”
     
    “Fuck plans. I’ll bet you hadn’t ‘planned’ on him kissing you like that, did you?”
     
    How did anyone plan on a kiss like that? “Well, no, but this time, I’ll be prepared. And besides, that was a fluke. He was showing off for the ladies.” And what a show it had been!
     
    “Uh-huh, but just in case, if I were you, I’d wear long-lasting lipstick. I hear there’s some pretty high-quality stuff out there, supposed to last all evening. But I guess that would depend on what you’re doing with your lips all evening.”
     
    “I can assure you the only thing I’ll be doing with my lips is talking. That is, if Mr. Richards can carry on a conversation without beer and pretzels.”
     
    Belinda winced a little. “You’re generalizing.”
     
    “I’m being careful, Belle. The man looks positively dangerous, like he could fight ten men in a barroom brawl and come out the winner.”
     
    “Only Hercules could do that.”
     
    “Did you see the size of those arms? He could probably give Hercules a run for his money.”
     
    Belinda leaned in closer, her attention captured. “Did you just shiver?”
     
    Had she? Goose bumps littered her arms but she wasn’t about to admit anything without coercion. “Of course not. And even if I did, it was because I felt a draft.”
     
    “Oh, you felt something all right and it had nothing to do with the air conditioning.” Belinda got to her feet and carried her bowl to the kitchen sink. “You’re attracted to Mr. Brawny.”
     
    “I assure you I’m not. Mr. Richards is not my type.”
     
    “If that man isn’t your type, I shudder to think what you would consider your type. I mean, honestly, name one thing wrong with the man.”
     
    “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with him. When I said he wasn’t my type, I only meant that he and I would never be compatible in a social setting.”
     
    “I think that depends on whether you were vertical or horizontal.”
     
    Tess shot her friend a disgusted look. “Will you drag your mind out of the gutter for one minute? I swear since you’ve been here all you’ve done is talk about Jaxon Richards and how fuckable he is!”
     
    “And? I’m searching for the