Dream Girl Read Online Free PDF Page A

her.
    "You and your brother are close?” she asked gently.
    "Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, that's too much of a downer to talk about right now.” He smiled. “More champagne?"
    "Mmm ... sure. And I think I'll slip into the ladies’ room if you'll excuse me for a minute."
    "Okay. I'll meet you back here."
    She watched him move away and sighed. With his height and athletic shoulders, he stood out in the crowd of suits.
    But she had work to do. Quickly, she headed to the restroom, keeping an eye out for Derek. There he was. She changed direction and casually wandered over to him.
    "Hi again.” She smiled at him.
    "Ashlyn. I wondered where you'd gotten to.” His smile and his eyes were predatory, and she could feel in her gut he was another pig/ dog. “Sorry I had to leave earlier. I had to speak to someone on a business matter.” He moved closer. “Are you here alone?"
    She went through her routine, fixing her gaze on him with simulated interest, smiling, touching his arm. With Zach, she hadn't had to fake it—her attention and enjoyment had been completely genuine. But with this guy, she had to call up every acting skill she'd ever learned in all those years of ballet and musical theater her poor mother had forced her to take, hoping it would turn her into a little lady. Eventually her mother had given up on that idea.
    Soon Derek was leaning closer, and then his arm was around her waist. The heavy scent of his aftershave almost choked her. All the while, Ashlyn tried to keep a cautious eye out for Zach. He'd be looking for her. Luckily the room was big and crowded. If she was smart, she'd just abandon this whole thing—but she might not get another chance with Derek.
    "Let's go for a walk,” Derek suggested. “Away from the noise for a few minutes."
    "Okay,” she agreed and once again let herself be led across the room. Luckily they were near a door opening into the hall.
    He led her down the carpeted hall, away from the foyer area, until they reached another quiet alcove. Surreptitiously, Ashlyn opened her purse and started the camcorder. Then she hung the bag over her shoulder by its strap and arranged it on her hip.
    Derek turned to her. “You're really a beautiful girl,” he said, smiling. “I can't believe I didn't remember you at first."
    She shrugged one shoulder. “Oh well. It was months ago."
    "Months wasted,” he murmured. “If I'd met you sooner, we could have gotten together sooner."
    Oh boy. He was a fast mover. Thank God, because she didn't have much time.
    His hand stroked her bare shoulder and arm. She smiled encouragingly.
    "I have a room here at the hotel. In case it was a late night, I didn't want to be drinking and driving. How about we go up there for a while?"
    Ashlyn pretended to look surprised. “What for?” she asked, eyes wide. He chuckled and touched her cheek.
    "You know what for,” he murmured and leaned in to kiss her softly. She turned her face up to him to allow the kiss. “You are so sexy. We could have a drink, see what happens..."
    Ashlyn hoped that was enough, because it was all she could take tonight. Unlike Zach, this guy repelled her. Her skin tightened.
    She smiled slowly. “What's your room number? I'll meet you up there."
    "Twelve-ten."
    "Okay. See you in ... five minutes?” He nodded eagerly. She walked slowly down the hall and around the corner, and then sprinted in her high heels for the stairwell.
    As she drove home, her heart squeezed in her chest at the thought of Zach returning with a glass of champagne for her. She pictured him wandering around, looking for her, waiting for her, and then getting ... what? Worried? Impatient? Disappointed, maybe? Pissed off, probably.
    Her throat tightened. Shit. This was so against the rules. Remember, he's a lying, cheating bastard. When she stopped at a red light, she bumped her forehead against the steering wheel ... once, twice ... then rested her head there and took a few deep breaths, until a honk behind her alerted