Cinderella and the Playboy / The Texan's Happily-Ever-After Read Online Free PDF

head to toe and back again without the slightest attempt to conceal his interest.
    â€œHello.” His deep voice drew out the word, the raspy growl loaded with undercurrents.
    â€œHello.” Jennifer felt the brush of his gaze and desire curled, heating her skin, making it tingle with awareness.
    â€œReady to go?” Chance asked. He hadn’t missed her reaction to his slow appraisal and the throb of arousal beat through his veins as he watched a faintflush move up her throat to tint her cheeks. She lowered her lashes, concealing her eyes.
    â€œI just need to collect my purse.” She left him to cross the room.
    He watched her walk away, his gaze intent on the gown’s long skirt. It swayed with each step, outlining the feminine curve of her hips and thighs with tantalizing briefness. The nape of her neck and the pale skin of her back to just above her narrow waist was bare, framed by crimson lace and a few loose curls. She disappeared through a doorway, momentarily releasing him from the spell that held him.
    His gaze skimmed the room. The apartment was as neat as the rest of the old, well-maintained building and Jennifer’s living space held a warmth that was missing in his professionally decorated town house. A blue and cream-colored afghan draped over one arm of a white-painted wood rocking chair that sat at right angles to an overstuffed blue sofa. A framed poster of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art hung on the wall above the sofa. At the far end of the room, a bookcase was stuffed with hardcovers and paperbacks, the overflow stacked in a bright pile at one end. Chance resisted the urge to walk closer and inspect the titles on the spines, curious to learn whatshe read. A television and DVD player took up the two shelves on a low cabinet against one wall and beyond, a kitchen area boasted a white-painted table with four chairs pushed up to it. A bright blue cloth runner ran down the center while a small stack of notebooks and what looked like a thick textbook were spread out over one end.
    Just as he was about to step over the threshold, drawn inexorably by the rooms that he instinctively knew would give him a deeper insight into Jennifer, she reappeared.
    â€œGot everything?” he asked as he watched her walk toward him. Heat stirred in his gut, just as it did each time he saw her at the diner.
    â€œYes.” She stepped into the hall, turning briefly to lock the door before they moved toward the elevator.
    Outside, the spring night was slightly chilly and Jennifer draped the long satin wrap around her shoulders and throat. She tossed one crimson end over her shoulder and let it drape down her back, covering her bare shoulder blades above the gown’s skirt.
    â€œCold?” Chance asked as he keyed the lock and opened the door of a sleek black Jaguar sedan parked at the curb.
    â€œJust a little,” Jennifer murmured, sliding into the low seat.
    â€œI’ll turn the heater on in a second.” Chance bent to tuck her skirt out of the way and closed the door.
    A moment later, he slid into the driver’s seat beside her.
    Jennifer fastened her seat belt and stroked her fingertips over the butter-soft leather of the seat. Her gaze swept the compact, luxurious interior. “Nice car,” she said, breathing in the faint scent of leather and men’s cologne.
    â€œThanks.” Chance grinned at her and winked. “I like it.” His fingers moved over a series of buttons on the dash and heated air brushed Jennifer’s toes. The seat warmed beneath her. “How’s that?” he asked.
    â€œLovely.” She smiled at him, feeling distinctly cosseted.
    â€œGood—let me know if you want it warmer.” He glanced in the mirrors, shifted into gear and the Jag pulled smoothly away from the curb.
    â€œWhere is the ball being held?” Jennifer inquired as they left her block and headed downtown.
    â€œSame place as last year,