Claiming Lauren (eXclave) Read Online Free PDF

.
"I'd like to know how much of my time you'll require while you're in New
York."
    "Much," he said definitively.
    Lauren frowned. "I need something more specific than that."
    "I'd like you to make arrangements to join me in the city."
    "I can't do that."
    "Why?" He slowed the car and turned onto a narrow, tree-lined
road.
    "If you provide a calendar of engagements, I'll accommodate them,
but I can't be in your pocket."
    "We'll discuss the level of structure you require later."
    Swallowing a frustrated sound, she spent the remainder of the short, slow
drive in silence. They were accumulating a fair number of matters to be
discussed "later", none of which she actually wanted to revisit.
Minutes later, Jacob braked and parked in front of an elaborate mansion. Every
window glowed with light.
    Oh, why hadn't she declined his invitation? Jet lag, a travel headache, a
previous obligation--any excuse would have sufficed, and she wouldn't be in
this situation.
    Wondering what, exactly, this situation really was.
    Before she found the fortitude to ask, a young man approached their car.
Leaving the engine running, Jacob opened his door and stepped out. Lauren
reluctantly followed suit. As their host's valet slid behind the wheel, Jacob
joined Lauren. He spread his fingers wide at the small of her back, the touch a
hot brand through her dress, and urged her up the wide stairs to the waiting
door.
    She hurried to widen the gap between them but she couldn't gain any
ground. She seemed glued to her husband's hand, unable to part from him. At the
top of the stairs, he lifted the old-fashioned knocker and beat it thrice
against the door.
    "I have something for you." He took her left hand in his and
rubbed the pad of his thumb over her naked ring finger.
    Lauren turned her head to look at him, an inexplicable sense of dread
settling in her stomach. As if he read the emotion in her eyes--he probably
did, as transparent as she'd been--he smiled slightly.
    "It was careless of you to leave it behind." Gold flashed
between his fingers, reflecting the torches that flickered at either side of
the door. Despite the chill in the air, the precious metal warmed her skin as
he guided her wedding ring into place.
    Warmed her skin but left every other part of her iron-cold. Slowly, she
raised her eyes to his. Jacob mercilessly held her gaze, unflinching in his
intensity. Lauren didn't bother asking how. She wasn't stupid. The only
question she had was why , but before she could find her voice, the door
opened.

 
    Chapter Four
     
    "Good evening, Elizabeth. I hope you're well." With a slight
smile for their hostess, he stepped into the house. "Have you met my
wife?"
    "I am. Thank you." The woman named Elizabeth, a tall, slender
beauty with long waves of ginger hair, smiled and squeezed Jacob's free hand in
welcome. Her smile remained genuine when she shifted her attention to Lauren.
"We haven't met but I'm familiar with her charity work. I'm pleased you
could join us tonight, Lauren."
    "The pleasure is mine." She responded by rote, well-trained to
say the right things at the right times, but her manners failed there. A
movement, a flash of pale skin and smooth curve caught her eye, drew her
attention to the guests mingling in a room off the foyer.
    Jacob and Elizabeth exchanged a few more words and Lauren surrendered her
wrap to a young man clad in...nothing. Her focus snapped back to her immediate
vicinity.
    "You're welcome to stare," Jacob murmured in her ear. "He
wants to be seen."
    A shudder rippled through her, her husband's words such an unexpected
reminder of how well he'd come to know her without her knowledge. She needed
space to think, but now wasn't the time to figure out how she felt about
Jacob's...what? Deceit? Or revelation?
    Would she have explored these feelings with Jacob face to face, eyes
open, identities fully disclosed?
    Could she explore them with him now? Because clarity of truth lent
explanation to his appearance. If he had no