Joseph Fallen (The Estate Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

attracted, but warned any person whose path he
crossed.   She scrutinized every
motion of his body until he returned to their table, sitting down and once
again seeming to transform back into the man she knew and loved.   The abrupt change in his demeanor was
staggering and when Arianna accepted his outstretched hand from across the
surface of the table, she did so with the newly discovered knowledge that there
were two sides to Joseph Carmichael.
    An hour passed and in that time Joseph led Arianna around
the large room, mingling with the guests.    Maintaining a bright smile on her
face, Arianna tried desperately to be the epitome of a perfect wife, laughing
with the women when they joked and cautiously tolerating the compliments of
their over-attentive husbands.   Having been raised in a modest family, she was unsure of the behaviors
expected of her in this environment.    She was surprised when she was approached by an older gentlemen who
requested a dance and she looked to Joseph for instruction on her
response.   Joseph was buried deep in
an animated conversation with a business associate so Arianna politely excused
herself, remembering that Joseph had wanted her to be the most desired at the
ball.   She allowed the man to lead
her onto the dance floor, holding her body apart from him while they danced so
as not to appear improper.   The man
was a delightful dancer as he spun her regally throughout the room.   When the lighthearted song ended, he
stepped away, bowing before escorting her back to her husband.   But while making their way back to where
Joseph stood, Arianna noticed a darkness in Joseph’s gaze.   It was fleeting in its duration but it
was enough to tell her that her husband was upset.
    In an attempt to the shake the unease in her head, and while
Arianna continued following her husband around the large room, she had allowed
herself to drink one too many glasses of champagne.   She was feeling slightly dizzy and was
ready to call it a night and return home to bed.   Joseph also seemed tired, but he was
fastidious in his obligation to speak with each and every man and woman in the
room before he excused himself to leave.
    When, at last, it was time for the two of them to return
home, Arianna was distracted by a group of ladies who wished to speak with her,
while Joseph was approached by two men who Arianna did not recognize.   Politely looking between the ladies and
her husband, Arianna took secretive glances at the men, noticing a darker edge
to their body language and expressions.   At first, Joseph didn’t appear to want much to do with the men, but then
the taller man said something that grabbed Joseph’s attention.   Arianna watched as her husband pulled a
business card from his wallet and handed it to the men within five minutes of
their approach.   After handing them
the card, Joseph excused himself and made his way over to Arianna, stealing her
away from the women so that he could escort her home.
    The ride home was quiet for the most part; and Joseph
uncharacteristically stared out his window for the majority of the trip.   Given her exhaustion, Arianna didn’t
attempt to engage him in conversation.   She was happy to avoid asking him the questions that plucked at her
mind, at least until a time when she could process what she’d seen.
    When they returned home and undressed from the evening,
Joseph approached her as he had almost every night before, waiting and anxious
to take his wife to their bed.
    Picking her up in his arms, his warm mouth came down on
hers, his tongue forceful in its demand for entry.   She opened her mouth, allowing him to
fill her with his scent and his taste, the remnants of the champagne he’d
consumed earlier still noticeable on his tongue.   She lost herself in that moment,
suddenly reminded of why she’d fallen for the man who carried her.   Laying her down on the bed, he pulled at
the belt of her silken robe, baring her to his watchful eyes.