Chosen by Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

last time I came to dinner, I swear I gained five pounds.”
    “We’ll only serve two desserts instead of five,” Gabe promised, slipping into her sweater as she rejoined them.
    “Or maybe I could work out with you guys.” She waved her arms, trying to look like Jet Li. “You can show me some kung fu moves.”
    “Dream on, babe.” Gabe reached across the counter to give her a one-armed hug. “You’re a cute bunny, not a killer, and I like you just the way you are. Get used to it.”
    “Maybe I can show you a move or two when she’s not looking,” Rhys said with a hint of a smile. He stood up and stretched to kiss Carrie on the cheek. But as he withdrew, his brow furrowed and his hand clamped on her arm.
    “Rhys?” she heard Gabe ask distantly.
    His eyes honed sharply on Carrie, and she felt something vague roll through her, disquieting and uncomfortable. His grip tightened on her, and confusion twisted his expression.
    He wasn’t the only one confused here. Something was going on, but she had no idea what it was. She bit her lip. She only knew instinctively that he needed to let her go—now. But when she spoke, her voice came out thin and wispy. “Don’t.”
    “Rhys, what the hell?” Gabe grabbed his hand and pulled one of his fingers back, peeling him off.
    “Bloody shite, Gabrielle.” He flexed his fingers as he scowled at her.
    “Well, you were being a freak.” She glanced apologetically at Carrie over her shoulder as she escorted him toward the door. “See you tomorrow?”
    “Yeah,” she replied automatically, totally confused as she watched them leave.
    What just happened?
    She shook her head. Maybe Gabe would be able to clue her in tomorrow.
    Rolling her shoulders, she looked around at the semi-full bar. No one seemed to be aware of the drama that had just taken place. She tried to shake it off, but still she felt like someone had her under a microscope.
    One more strange thing to add to the assortment of strangeness that had happened today. She shook her head and went to refill pints for a couple regulars at the other end of the bar.

Chapter Four

    T he blonde knew Rhys.
    Max’s hands fisted in his pockets. His feet pounded the pavement with each step he took to his rental, an echo of the rage pounding in his chest.
    The blonde knew Rhys. Rhys Llewellyn, the man he once loved like a brother. The man who’d betrayed him. The man whom, for the past seven years, he’d hated with every molecule in his being.
    He hadn’t expected it. Expected it? Hell—he was in complete shock. Reaching the car, he put his hands on its roof, trying to pull himself together.
    When he’d disguised himself and gone to her place of employment, he’d thought it’d be a matter of simple observation. He’d get to know her routine, perhaps figure out where she’d hidden the texts, retrieve them, and leave—no one the wiser.
    But then Rhys had walked in.
    Jn ch’i
swelled in Max, fueled by his fury. He felt it surge through him, leeching from his body. The metal under his hands vibrated, and with a low groan the car’s roof began to twist with the force of his anger. When he lifted his head, the top of the Audi was a rippled chunk of steel.
    With a grunt, Max clicked to disable the lock and slid in, slamming the door shut behind him. Francesca would deal with the car. He’d deal with the blonde. And Rhys.
    Closing his eyes, he gripped the steering wheel, trying not to picture her in Rhys’s arms. It was all he could see. Her doe eyes showering affection on Rhys. Her soft body held in Rhys’s traitorous hands.
    Just like Amanda. Although, inexplicably, imagining the blonde in Rhys’s embrace disturbed him far more than actually witnessing Amanda in it.
    Through sheer force of will he controlled
jn ch’i
and tore off down the street, making it back to the Nikko Hotel in record time. Without a word, he tossed the key to the valet and strode through the lobby, to the elevator, and to his suite.
    In his room,