A Trap So Tender Read Online Free PDF Page A

stand?”
    “Buying old computers and reselling them for scrap.” She lifted
her chin. “Much more profitable than squeezing lemons.” No need to mention she’d
had the lemonade stand, too.
    He moved closer to her. Which was unsettling considering that
they had about an acre of space around them. “I started my first business at
eleven.”
    “Competitive, aren’t you?” She raised a brow. All the tiny
hairs on her body stood on end, prickling with awareness as he moved even
closer.
    “Very. Some have even said it will be my downfall.”
    Maybe sooner than you think. “What
was your first business?”
    “I bought wholesale chocolate bars and resold them to the
desperate souls at my boarding school.”
    “A captive audience.”
    “The best kind.” His shoulders were broad, almost straining
against the elegant cut of his shirt. The great room was cool, but she could
feel her body temperature spiking as he shifted his stance. His gray gaze rested
right on her face, thoughtful, daring her to argue with him.
    She straightened her own shoulders and raised herself to her
full height, which unfortunately was a good half a foot less than his. “Is it
hard to find a captive audience these days?”
    “Not at all.” He held her gaze for a heartbeat. “Everyone’s
captive in one way or another.”
    “Are you?” Had he moved closer? She didn’t see him move his
feet, but he was now so near she could lift her hand and touch him. His male
scent—expensive wool and subtle musk—tickled her senses. Her nipples now
strained against her bra, and she hoped he didn’t notice.
    “Absolutely.” His voice was a low growl that took her by
surprise, but not as much as the way he stepped in, lifted her chin deftly with
his fingers and pressed his lips softly to hers.
    Electric voltage zapped through her. Her body temperature shot
skyward as his tongue touched hers. I’m kissing James
Drummond.
    She felt the weight of his palms settle on her lower back. Her
breath now came in unsteady gasps, and her hands crept up to his torso and
fisted themselves in his shirt.
    This man is a beast. He chews people up and spits them out. He just confessed as
much!
    His low moan in her ear made her desire surge. Her fingers dug
into his hard back. His rough skin created pleasurable friction against her
cheek as he shifted the angle of the kiss and plunged deeper, making her arch
her back and lean into his arms.
    Uh-oh. Instead of fighting him off,
she gripped him tighter and kissed him back with all the strength she
possessed.
    His scent was intoxicating. Surprisingly masculine and rugged,
betraying the man hidden beneath the expensive designer clothes. She could feel
the raw passion of his warlike ancestors surging through them both.
    Was there magic in this place? If so, it might be the dark and
scary kind. She certainly didn’t feel fully in control of this situation—or even
herself—at this moment.
    And there was that family curse to contend with….
    James’s strong hand squeezed her buttock, which made her
squirm. Her breasts bumped against his chest, and his other hand rose to skim
her nipple with his thumb. His lips never left hers. His kiss was alternately
fierce and tender, drawing her in and taking her breath away. She’d never been
kissed like this.
    He’s your enemy.
    This is probably exactly what his ancestors did with their
enemies. The female ones, at least. She was being ravished. Why did it feel so
good?
    Her fingers had somehow wandered into his thick hair. She
pressed the length of her body against his, and the thickening of his arousal
made her heart beat faster. James Drummond seemed so cool, so controlled, that
it only heightened her desire to feel him surging within her with heat and
passion.
    There was definitely more to this man than met the eye, or was
written about in the columns of Investor’s Business
Daily. The way she felt right now, she could easily imagine peeling
off his shirt and pants and making love