By Private Invitation Read Online Free PDF Page A

offspring of two very wealthy families. Their
     marriage had cemented their place in Philadelphia society. But Jared knew his mother
     would trade it all for her husband’s love, which he was incapable of.
    Jared couldn’t understand why she allowed herself to be hurt like that.
    When the song ended, he escorted her back to her table and exchanged civilities with
     his father, whose subdued responses were so unlike him Jared wondered if he’d gotten
     caught in one of his affairs again.
    Old anger flared, but he submerged it under thoughts of one beautiful redhead and
     made his way back to Tyler at the entrance, flipping again through the guest book
     on the computer.
    “I’ve held up my end, big brother.” Jared sent a brotherly elbow into Tyler’s side.
     Tyler didn’t flinch. “It’s your turn.”
    “I already did my part.” Tyler tapped the screen. “I asked and got rejected.”
    Rolling his eyes, Jared sighed. He should have known his brother would find a way
     out of his end of the bargain. The man had graduated top of his class at the Wharton
     School of Business. He hadn’t wanted to dance, so he’d found the one woman in the
     room who’d say no.
    “You’re a coward.” Jared leveled the only truthfully disparaging remark he could at
     his brother.
    One corner of Tyler’s mouth curled up. “Nah, I’m just smarter than you.”
    In some ways, Jared agreed. Though he’d never admit it. “Who’d you ask?”
    Tyler stiffened for a moment. “The blue fairy.”
    Jared snorted. Yeah, that was what he’d figured. She hadn’t danced with a man all
     night, though several had asked. She’d only gotten on the floor with Belle for a few
     faster numbers.
    Tyler shot him a hard look, his fingers stilling on the screen. “What was that for?”
    “You
are
a coward,” he repeated. “I’m going to orphan that little blue fairy again. If you
     don’t want her to be hit on by another ten guys, why don’t you go keep her company?
     On second thought, don’t bother. She promised me a dance. I think I’ll go collect.”
    His brother’s gaze narrowed on him. “It’s not gonna work, Jared.”
    “No idea what you’re talking about.” Jared countered with agrin as he headed back to Belle’s table. It only took two strides for Tyler to catch
     up. Jared didn’t comment. He’d made his point.
    The women’s conversation halted when they arrived. They both looked up at the same
     time and Jared caught his breath. Belle had finally removed her mask. He had an almost
     uncontrollable urge to take if from her so she couldn’t put it on again.
    While she wasn’t conventionally beautiful—her features were a little too broad for
     that—she was pretty. The phrase “girl next door” fit her perfectly. Not at all his
     usual type.
    Pale freckles splashed across her short, upturned nose, while high cheekbones defined
     her oval face. The costume fit perfectly. She looked like an Irish fairy just back
     from dancing under a full moon. Her cat-green eyes sparkled and her wide smile rocked
     him back on his heels.
    He returned her smile and winked, introducing Tyler only by first name. Then he held
     out his hand to Belle.
    “Will you dance with me again?”
    She flashed a quick glance at her friend, who nodded before turning back to Jared.
    “I’d love to.”
    Jared didn’t know whether to thank Kate or his brother. He was pretty sure if Belle
     would’ve had to leave Kate alone again, she would have said no. The women were true
     friends, a foreign concept to most of the females in his circle who saw other women
     as rivals, first and foremost.
    “I hope Kate’s enjoying herself.” Jared brought her tight against his body, heat rising
     at the feel of her breasts, soft and curved, pressing into his chest. His cock twitched,
     already half hard. She’d be able to feel his erection soon. “She seems…shy.”
    Belle smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in it. “Not really. I think she’s