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

apparently,” Chance replied with a sideways glance and named a posh hotel that was fairly new but built in a traditional turn-of-the-century style. It had become an instant Boston landmark, its dining room and ballrooms favored by society mavens.
    â€œI’ve never been there,” Jennifer said, intrigued. “But I read an article in the
Boston Herald
about the grand opening. The design alone sounded fabulous.”
    â€œRumor has it the financier was a mad count from Austria who was a distant relative of Dracula.”
    â€œWhat?” Jennifer’s gaze flew to his. His dark eyes were lit with amusement. “You’re joking.”
    â€œNope.” He raised his hand, palm out. “I swear someone actually told me that.”
    â€œAnd did you believe them?” Jennifer asked with a laugh.
    â€œNot a word.”
    â€œExcellent,” she responded promptly. “I’m glad to know you’re a sensible man.”
    â€œOh, I’m sensible,” he replied. “Now if you’d said I was a ‘nice, safe’ guy, I would have had to rethink my answer.”
    She shot him a chastening look from beneath her lashes and found his mouth curved in a half smile that set awareness humming through her torso. “Hmm,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ask you why.” With an abrupt change of subject, she pointed out the window. “Isn’t that the hotel?”
    Chance lifted a brow and his gaze met hers for a brief moment before he nodded, downshifting as he turned out of traffic and drove beneath the portico.
    The lobby was a fascinating blend of old and new, with jewel-toned, blown-glass Chihuly light fixtures hanging from boxed ceilings. A broad expanse of thick black and gold carpeting covered the floors, and round seats upholstered in gold were arranged at intervals between the reception desk and the wide hallway on their left.
    Jennifer loosened her wrap from her throat and let it slip down her arms to catch at her elbows. Chance took her hand and tucked it through the bend of his arm, the move securing her against his side.
    She didn’t shift away from the press of his body against hers although she had the feeling she was playing with fire. She was all too aware of his reputation with women; in fact, she’d overheard several diner conversations about the subject between female employees from the institute. She didn’t doubt that Chance had plans for ending the evening with her in his bed. Which left only one question—did she want the same thing?
    She was certainly attracted to him. She also knew that their conversations over the past six months had led to her feeling more than just physically drawn to him. Still, she wasn’t sure if she wanted more from this evening than the sheer pleasure of an adult night out with a handsome man. And since she
was
undecided, she told herself to stop worrying and simply enjoy the party.
    Chance led her down the wide hallway, one side lined with upscale shops. Some were filled with jewelry and designer clothing while several stores resembled Aladdin’s cave, aglow with colorful glassware and gifts. Directly across from the shops was a long bank of elevators.
    â€œGoing up?” a man called, holding the door of a half-filled car.
    â€œYes, thanks,” Chance told him, handing Jennifer ahead of him into the elevator.
    They shifted to the rear of the car as three other couples entered and Jennifer found herself standing in front of Chance. When the elevator stopped on the next floor up and several other people entered, the crowd shifted backward once again, compressing the free space even farther.
    Jennifer stepped nearer to Chance to avoid being bumped by the large man in front of her and Chance slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer and into the shelter of his body. By necessity, however, the move brought her bare back flush against his chest, his arm a warm bar across