Read Falling For His Proper Mistress for Free Online

cocked her head to listen, while her heartbeat slowed, until she was sure that Jeff hadn’t followed.
    Then she brushed her fingers across her eyes, surprised to find no residue of tears.
    This had been Guy’s surprise?
    Even now, lying facedown on the massage bed, surrounded by the soft light of scented candles, she could still remember the maelstrom of emotions that had shaken her that night. By gifting his friend to her for the evening of her birthday and expecting her to sleep with Jeff, Guy had destroyed her trust.
    Yet meeting him again here at Jarrod Ridge had proved she wasn’t immune from his effect on her, that she still desired him.
    That discovery horrified her.
    What kind of woman did that make her? How could she lust after such a jerk? And how could she reconcile that with her most secret desire for a loving husband and a clutch of tow-haired kids?
    â€œHere’s a terry robe.”
    Joanie’s voice stirred Avery from the conundrum threatening to short-circuit her brain. “Thank you.”
    Turning away, the masseuse said, “I’ll fill the tub with hot water. The steam rooms are down the hall from the massagerooms. You can leave your belongings in here. I’ll give you an access card to get back in.”
    The next fifteen minutes passed in a haze of heat. Avery couldn’t help thinking of the conversation she’d had with Matt.
    â€œGet over him,” Matt had said.
    And Avery was determined to do just that. By the time she left Jarrod Ridge it would be without a backward glance. She would exorcise this wretched awareness of the man. She would banish him from her thoughts…no matter what it took.
    By the time Avery exited the steam room, filled with resolve, a sheen of moisture dewed her skin.
    As she reached into the pocket of the robe for the access card to the treatment room where she’d had her massage, a masculine hand came down on the door in front of her, blocking her entry. Avery found herself face to face with the man who’d occupied so much of her recent thoughts.
    â€œI’ve been looking for you. Rita said you were here.” Guy’s face was harder, more remote, than she’d ever seen it. The only evidence of the humor and amiability that had been so dear to her back in New York lay in the laugh creases around his eyes.
    For a fragment of time her heart ached for what had been, what might have been, what was now forever lost.
    No sign of laughter lingered in the steely gaze that roamed her giving no quarter. Avery became conscious that her face was cleansed of makeup and the spa’s white robe ended inches above her knees.
    â€œI see you’ve already managed to find yourself a rich lover.”
    Avery froze. Then, not deigning to answer, she knocked his hand off the door and pushed past him, seeking the sanctuary of the private room.
    But Guy was quicker. Before she could slam the door in his face and lock it, he was inside, and his foot kicked the door shut behind him.
    Balmy steam from the hot tub cocooned them, adding another dimension to the tension that pulsed between them. The warm reds that had appeared so welcoming suddenly seemed sensual and sultry. Avery’s heart started to pound. An acute feeling of vulnerability swamped her. She drew the toweling robe more tightly around her.
    â€œGet out, Guy.”
    Guy stalked closer. “Yesterday I thought it was my brother you were after. But by last night you’d found someone else. Did he share your bed?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe Californian.”
    â€œCalifornian—” Realization dawned. He was talking about Matt.
    â€œDid he touch you? Love you?” The darkening eyes smoldered in the glow of the candlelight. “Pleasure you?” His hand came up and stroked her skin, causing a rush of shivers to follow in its wake.
    Guy thought Matt was her lover.
    Avery almost laughed. Then she took in the tight-pressed mouth, the flexing muscle