Chasing Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

observations to herself.
    A muscle in his jaw flexed. “And you think Hart and Style is a home. It's not. It's a business. One I intend to have as mine. In that respect you're right.”
    She couldn't forget the glimpse of grief. Couldn't see past the wall of professionalism he'd thrown up either. He picked up his jacket. “Let's stick to observations about my store from now on.”
    She'd hit a nerve. Now she had to know what happened to this ruthless, if at times charming, business man. If honest with herself, and she was, her reasons had nothing to do with saving the store. She squelched the thought and concentrated.
    He gestured to the store. “I plan to add more merchandise that the locals favor,” he said. “I have a suggestion box. No, you may not add any of yours.”
    Despite the irrational guilt that wanted to dig its little claws in, she forced herself to laugh. He had moved on, so would she.
    “And if they suggest local designers?”
    “I'll consider it.” He placed his jacket on the counter, near the register. “I'll give customers what they want as long as it's profitable.”
    “The bottom line. Again.” She bit her lip to keep from asking personal questions.
    His gaze dropped to her mouth. “I want you...” The pause lasted long enough she didn't think he'd finish the statement. “To meet my personal assistant.”
    It seemed they both let out a breath. “I knew you'd have minions,” she said.
    Lynne forced herself to look away from him. The undercurrent between them...well, it was stupid to even consider those train tracks. A wreck between them would have causalities.
    Instead, she searched around the shop for someone who had the look of a shark. Her gaze landed on a woman in her mid-twenties wearing a black suit. Her scalp had to be screaming from the severe bun. She gasped. Not that woman, couldn’t be, but Nathan gestured to the same woman who had been in Lynne’s store the day before and had run out.
    “That's Sylvia. My assistant. Let me introduce you. You'll be seeing a lot of her when I close this deal.”
    The woman stopped short when Nathan called her name, but relaxed her features and offered her hand to Lynne.
    “Nice to meet you,” Lynne said. “I think I spotted you at the grocery store.” The lie flowed easily from Lynne's mouth because up close there wasn't a shark in any of Sylvia’s movements.
    The woman's hand relaxed. “Had a craving.”
    Lynne would never refer to Jeremy as a craving, but to each his own. And, oh, my God, Nathan's assistant was sleeping with Jeremy.
    She stole a glance at Nathan. He wouldn't stoop that low, or would he?
    “Nathan, I can take over from here,” Sylvia suggested.
    He nodded. “Finish the tour. Take her to the stockroom.”
    Even Lynne could see the woman had to force herself to smile back. A musical ding sounded and Nathan went to yet another customer. Sylvia indicated for Lynne to follow. Turning on her heel, she walked past the stockroom and out the back door.
    A million emotions seemed to cross Sylvia's face before she asked, “What's your angle? Why did you lie? I can tell you now I'm not going to see Jeremy any more. It was a stupid mistake. I should have known better.”
    This woman was strung tight as a guitar string. Lynne held up her hands. “What you do in your spare time is your business. It sounds like you're not trying to pump Jeremy for information, which was a worry.”
    “Are you going to tell Nathan?”
    This time Lynne didn't have to guess. Fear etched lines above Sylvia's brow. This alone was why she would not let the attraction between Nathan and herself be more than an undercurrent. What kind of man would inspire that type of fear for having a social life?
    “No.” She didn't second-guess the answer when Sylvia released a pent-up breath. Lynne held up her hand higher. “But you need to tell Jeremy. I'm surprised he didn't see you when he came by earlier.”
    “He came in earlier?” She stopped, swallowed