Her Perfect Match Read Online Free PDF

after the party. If you come to my room…you come .” She emphasized the word so there was no doubt to its meaning. “If you don’t…I understand and I will wish you nothing but the best.”
    She released him and stepped away. Without another word, she scurried into the crowd and left him standing, wrecked in her wake and totally uncertain of what he should do.
    She offered him a return to the happiest time of his life. A sweet taste of passion and pleasure and all the love he still felt for her. But he knew that taste came at a cost. She had already made it very clear that they would never be together beyond an affair, beyond sex.
    His brother had been telling him for years to walk away from Vivien. But he had never been able to do that.
    And now might not be any different.

Chapter Four
    “ You are distracted.”
    “What?” Vivien blinked, dragged back to the present moment as Mariah stepped up to her side and held out a glass of sherry for her.
    Her friend laughed. “You see, your response proves my point exactly. I have been standing beside you for nearly a full minute and you didn’t even notice me.”
    Vivien downed a sip of the drink. Her friend was right, but she wasn’t about to admit it.
    “Of course I noticed you!” she lied through clenched teeth.
    Mariah arched a brow and it was clear she did not believe that statement even for a moment’s time.
    “Then why were you staring off into space, eyes glazed and in no way paying attention to your own party, even though your guests have slowly begun to depart? Is this some new technique to make yourself mysterious?”
    Vivien rolled her eyes at her friend. “Very well, I was woolgathering. You would think that had become a capital offense to hear you grouse about it.”
    “No capital offense, I assure you. Simply something I am not accustomed to.”
    “I don’t know why,” Vivien protested. “No one can pay attention at all times.”
    Mariah shrugged as if conceding the point. “I suppose not, but you have always been the most attentive hostess. Which begs the question—what was on your mind that would so thoroughly change that?”
    Vivien pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t blurt out Benedict’s name. Whatever was happening between them was a private matter and she didn’t want her hawkish friends involved. Especially Mariah.
    Of course, she didn’t have to say his name at all. Her silence made Mariah shake her head.
    “And what was the news from Mr. Benedict Greystone?”
    “What do you mean?” Vivien asked, but her tone was weak even to her own ears. She would not convince anyone that Benedict wasn’t on her mind with that waver to her voice.
    Mariah set her drink aside, folded her arms and leaned closer. “I saw you talking to him a short time ago.”
    Vivien darted her gaze away from her friend. Her best recourse was to say nothing. Mariah knew she and Benedict had been lovers but little else beyond that. She might suspect something more remained between them, but she had no proof. And as long as Vivien stayed quiet, neither Mariah nor anyone else would see how many secrets Vivien had to keep. And how many plans there were to be talked out of if she dared speak of them.
    “Well then,” Mariah laughed when Vivien did not respond to her teasing. “Keep your council. I suppose you have earned your secrets and know very well how to keep them.”
    “It is my duty to do so,” Vivien said with a false brightness her friend seemed to accept for her face changed from one of interest to one of warmth.
    “Either way, thank you for tonight. I have missed being in the company of those you invited. I admit I was nervous to see old friends, but they have been very kind.”
    Vivien set aside her own troubles and thoughts and reached for her best friend’s hands. She squeezed them gently. “You deserve all your current happiness and so much more.”
    Mariah’s eyes swelled with sudden tears, but she shook her head.
    “Don’t sound so