One Night of Misbehavior Read Online Free PDF

I have to turn down the job.”
    “Over my dead body,” Gran snapped, and Charlotte winced. “I’ll talk to Elizabeth, child. You grasp this opportunity with both hands.”
    “Why does she hate me so much, Gran? She hated me from the first moment Dad introduced us. Since Dad died…” She trailed off, blinking rapidly to rid herself of the prickle of tears.
    “Oh, child. Elizabeth loved your father very much, and I think she was a little jealous of Richard’s first wife. It doesn’t help you’re the splitting image of your mother.”
    “Or the fact it was my fault Dad was out driving in such atrocious conditions and crashed.” Elizabeth’s accusation still stung after all these years because it held truth. If it hadn’t been for her… Charlotte gulped, the sting of her eyes tipping over into tears. They welled in her eyes, and she hastily wiped them away.
    “Don’t worry. We’ll work out something.” Gran winced, one hand creeping up to massage her temple.
    “Should I get the nurse?”
    “No, child. My headache isn’t severe. Tell me about the interview.”
    Footsteps sounded behind them, the rustle of paper and cellophane. They both turned to study the new arrival.
    “Hello,” Ash said, his grin broad and roguish and irresistible to any woman with a pulse. And while his scars were horrid, the man’s charisma made Charlotte forget them after a while. They were as much a part of him as her red hair. “Charlotte said you were in hospital, so I thought I’d pop in between appointments and cross my fingers I’d run into Charlotte too.” He set the flower arrangement aside—miniature roses in a delicate apricot combined with baby’s breath and greenery. “The color reminded me of you,” he said, his gaze at Charlotte direct and sizzling.
    An inappropriate lick of heat speared to her sex and ricocheted back to her breasts, touching every sensitive spot between. Her nipples stiffened, rubbing against the cups of her cotton bra. She froze. Maybe if she didn’t move, the forbidden sensations would disperse in a harmless fashion.
    “Are you going to introduce me to your young man?” Gran focused on his scarred face. She stared for an instant. “He has pretty eyes.”
    Charlotte gave a silent groan while resisting the urge to hide her hot cheeks with her spread fingers. “This is my new boss, Ash Marlborough. Ash, this is my grandmother, Ivy McDougal.”
    “Ah, I recognize the name.” Laughter rippled through his tone. “You browbeat me into giving Charlotte an interview.” As he spoke he moved closer and brushed an errant lock of hair off Charlotte’s face. “Did Charlotte tell you we met at the charity ball on Friday night? Neither of us realized it until the interview.”
    Charlotte opened her mouth to protest and shut it again when she noticed the spark in Gran. She would weather the embarrassment if it helped Gran rally.
    “No, she never mentioned that.” Gran squinted at him, mischief playing on her lips. “Are you the man responsible for the hickeys on her neck?”
    “Gran.” Her protest did nothing to halt their shared laughter at her expense. “He’s not.”
    “I am,” he countered, the twinkle in his blue eyes daring her to reinforce her fib. His gaze zoomed in on her neck, and the heat in her face intensified to excruciating levels. “We had a great time at the ball.”
    She wondered if she could get away with murder and shot him a glare—lethal of course—to get herself in a killing frame of mind. She met his impish grin and wavered. It was difficult to stay mad at this man when he smothered her with charm and perked up Gran with his easy manner.
    “She made a pretty princess.” He winked at Gran.
    “I can’t work for you,” Charlotte blurted.
    His laughter dropped away. “You can. Don’t let my teasing put you off. You have talent and a good feel for color and textures. It will be a crime if you don’t pursue a job in some form of design.”
    “I agree with