Hidden Nymph Read Online Free PDF Page A

when she was dating Ari, but he hadn’t brought up their connection in the interview, or since. She admired him for that. No doubt, Ari had told him things between them hadn’t ended well. Or rather, that she had fled like a lunatic when he tried to make love to her.
    “Who does she remind you of?” Roy Layton asked his son with a big grin and nodded toward Josea.
    “Is your father really hiring women who look like this?” Mrs.
    Layton gave her husband a playful wink and drew her fingertips in small circles behind Josea’s knee.
    Josea could barely breathe. Thank God they treated her like a fly on the wall and didn’t expect her to speak. She didn’t trust her voice not to give her away.
    “One of the new associates is hot alright.” Kevin leveled his gaze on Ari. “I wouldn’t mind snipping the laces on her.”
    Ari’s jaw tightened and his lips twitched. “I don’t think—”
    “Easy.” Kevin laughed. “I know better.” His gaze landed on Josea’s shoulder and traveled down to her thigh. “Damn,” he muttered and lifted his glass to Ari. “You know how to pick ‘em.”
    Josea turned to flee, almost bumping into a statuesque blonde who had arrived at the table. Stunned, Josea’s knees locked. She hadn’t thought the evening could possibly become any more uncomfortable.
    The men at the table all stood in greeting.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Angela Capenella said as she planted a polite kiss on Ari’s lips. “I can’t wait until that new associate starts doing more of this crap work I can’t get out from under.”
    Ari stood to pull out the chair next to him. For her mentor. The woman she would be working directly under until she’d proven her merit. Josea’s stomach rolled again. She should leave. If she stayed, her entire career may ride on how well she could play this 26
    Carmie L’Rae

    masquerade. If she left, she would be penniless and possibly homeless if her landlord’s threats were credible. She wouldn’t even be able to reserve a hotel room on the credit card she’d maxed out, thanks to the move and new wardrobe she needed for the job she was on the brink of losing. And that wasn’t even the worst of it. Angela had kissed Ari.
    Josea’s cheeks flamed as she made her way back to the bar.
    Possibilities swarmed in her mind like bees. Was Angela just Ari’s date for the night, or more than that? How much more than that? Had she fucked her mentor’s boyfriend? Fiancé? She hadn’t noticed a ring.
    But she hadn’t looked for one either. Oh, hell.
    She should just go home. Now. Forget the money. She’d survive.
    Somehow.
    Josea berated herself for getting so caught up in her little fantasy.
    Ari had obviously known Angela would be here. His promise of after-dinner plans had been nothing more than a post-coital lie to keep her from regretting what had happened between them. Not that she could ever regret the power that surged through her long before the orgasm did. For the first time in her life, she had given and taken what she wanted from a man, without embarrassment, without shame. And she hadn’t had this experience with just any man. It had happened with the man who mattered most to her. Even knowing her hopes for later were vanquished, her clit tingled, awakened and alive. And ready for more. So much more.
    She had barely made it to the bar when the staff manager appeared at her side. The woman didn’t have a hint of tolerance on her face.
    Focused on her severe eyebrows, Josea stood completely still as if playing statue would help her situation.
    “Adrianna put herself on the line when she vouched for you,” the woman said. “One more screw-up tonight, I don’t care how small, and you’re both gone.”
    Josea bit her tongue, but the woman wasn’t finished.

    Hidden Nymph
    27
    “And don’t think I’m stupid enough to believe you went to the cellar for wine. That’s not the kind of business I run.”
    Adrianna let out a low whistle as Josea swore at the woman’s