By Private Invitation Read Online Free PDF

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     overwhelmed. There’ve been a lot of guys hittingon us tonight, and it’s a little disconcerting. If I thought she really loved her
     fiancé, I’d think she missed him. He left on a business trip yesterday. It looks like
     she and Tyler hit it off, though.”
    He glanced at the table, surprised to see Kate and Tyler engaged in conversation.
     And, amazing but true, Tyler was smiling. Too bad she was engaged.
    “What makes you think she doesn’t love her fiancé?”
    Belle shrugged. “When Kate decided it was time to get married, she settled for the
     first man who asked her. Big mistake, if you ask me. The woman’s a fabulous seamstress.
     She made our costumes. She could have her own business but she settled for working
     at a dry cleaner while she waits for her wedding day. It’s a shame.”
    “That she’s getting married?” Jared nodded. “I’d have to agree with that. There’s
     not enough time to tie yourself to one person. Life’s too short.”
    It was his standard response whenever anyone talked about marriage, but he realized
     the words sounded trite and kind of cold when he spoke them to Belle. He watched her
     expression, but his comments hadn’t seemed to make any impression on her at all.
    Good. That was good, right?
    “No, not that she’s getting married.” Belle shook her head. “But she’s settling for
     less than she should. I refuse to compromise. If I ever get married, it’ll be after
     I’ve secured my career.”
    Ah, a woman with a life beyond landing an eligible bachelor. This one
was
special.
    “And how do you plan to do that?” His hand inched down her back, closer to the rounded
     curve of her hip. Because of her wings, he had to be careful to keep his hand low
     on her waist. She didn’t even feel like the women he typically dated. She felt soft
     and curved, instead of hard and angular.
    “By having the best goods on the market and letting everyone know it.” Her lips curled
     at an enchanting angle, and she batted her eyes at him, flashing green fire from beneath
     full brown lashes. “You have to be sharp in the antiques business. Fakes and reproductions
     can ruin your reputation.”
    “Sounds like you know your stuff.”
    “I do. I had the best teacher.”
    She shook her hair over her shoulders, drawing his attention to her pale skin. Jared
     wanted to lay his mouth on the few freckles he could see dotting her shoulders. He
     wanted to play connect the dots with his tongue.
    “My turn to ask a question,” she said. “I’m getting a lot of, shall we say, negative
     vibes from many of the women in this room. Have you dated all of them?”
    Firming his jaw before it dropped open in amazement, Jared managed to breathe before
     laughter consumed him. This woman amazed him.
    He bent low to whisper in her ear, “If I let you in on a secret, will you promise
     not to ruin my reputation?”
    Annabelle shivered as Jared’s heated breath caressed the sensitive skin beneath her
     ear. She hadn’t meant to be so outspoken or rude, but once again her mouth had gotten
     away from her. This gorgeous man hadn’t taken offense, though. In fact, he seemed
     amused.
    “I’ve had relationships with less than five percent of the women here. And none of
     them intrigue me the way you do.”
    As he spoke, the hand on her back swept a caress down the curve of her hip and pressed
     her even closer. She drew in a breath.
Oh boy
.
    “So, there’s no one in your life right now?”
    He gazed into her eyes and her heart stuttered. “No one.”
    Jared’s smile faded, his expression more serious than she’d seen him all night. Swallowing,
     she dropped her gaze and rested her cheek against his shoulder as they continued to
     dance.
    Nerves made her lungs draw in a sharp breath unexpectedly.
    Yes, she wanted him. Her nipples tightened and her stomach clenched as she brushed
     against the erection he didn’t try to hide when she was in his arms. Her thong was
     already damp