Blackmailed Into Bed Read Online Free PDF Page B

bright lights and bustling activity that made up the heart of Sin City. Though the thick, lush carpeting absorbed the sound of her footsteps, he seemed to sense her presence and turned as she rounded the end of the floral-patterned sofa.
    His eyes softened when he saw her, and a gentle smile curved his lips as he skimmed her appearance, from the upswept knot of hair that left her neck and shoulders visible, to the strapless royal blue dress with its lace overlay that hugged her every curve and left her legs seductively bare. She shifted slightly and toyed with the sapphire pendant at her throat, uncomfortable with his thorough perusal.
    He strode forward, taking his time and keeping his gaze firmly locked with her own.
    “ Nice,” he murmured as he passed, careful to leave just enough space between their bodies that her skin prickled in awareness, but they never actually touched.
    “ I won’ t be long,” he added before disappearing into the bedroom and closing the connecting door behind him.

    Dinner, Elena was relieved to admit, passed much more enjoyably and with a lot less stress than expected. Chase had introduced her to his business associates by name, with no further explanation, rather than referring to her as his girlfriend or mistress or some other label she’ d been concerned he might use. And though she’ d made small talk with the other women at the table, she mostly remained silent and allowed Chase to conduct his business.
    He even asked her to dance at one point, and held her close while the orchestra played a slow, romantic song. After a couple glasses of wine and the lulling atmosphere seeping into her bones, she let herself lean against the strong wall of his chest and absorb the heat of his fingers where they rested at the small of her back.
    She hadn’ t forgotten their agreement or her reason for being here— both to help her father and become Chase’ s lover— but since the outcome of her decision was inevitable, she started to relax and live for the moment rather than obsess over what might come next.
    They said goodnight to the others and made their way through the lobby to the bank of elevators, their footsteps slow, her arm wrapped around his and their hips brushing.
    “ You were great tonight,” Chase said as they stepped into the empty elevator car. “ Finklestein and Rogers loved you. And I think their wives were glad to have another woman at the table. My unattached state usually causes them to spend the entire meal going through a list of single young ladies they think might suit me.”
    Elena offered a small smile, but didn’ t reply.
    “ Bringing you along was definitely one of my better ideas.”
    When the elevator stopped at their floor, he led her to the suite, opened the door with his keycard and waved her inside ahead of him.
    They’ d left a lamp on at the far side of the room, so the suite was bathed in pale yellow light. The closed curtains kept the neon sparkle of The Strip from intruding.
    “ Would you like something to drink?”
    Elena turned to find Chase standing near the entrance to the kitchenette, but shook her head. “ I already had too much wine with dinner. Any more and I’ ll probably pass out and sleep for a week.”
    “ We can’ t have that,” he replied, his voice a low rumble.
    Moving closer, he stroked the pads of his fingers down her bare arm, raising goose bumps all along her skin. His gaze held hers and she swallowed hard to keep from shivering.
    When he reached her wrist, he unhooked her gold and diamond watch, setting it aside on the kitchenette counter. From the next wrist, he loosened her dangle bracelet, then slipped the rings off her fingers, adding them to the growing pile. Next came her earrings and necklace, until she stood free of accessories.
    “ Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
    To her great embarrassment, the only reply she could manage when she opened her mouth was a strangled sort of sound. Chase grinned, his