Punishing for Pleasure Read Online Free PDF

her flaws.
    She’d been more than a little worried the pompous ass would use today’s press gathering to his advantage. When she’d learned his staff had forwarded his regrets, she’d breathed a sigh of uneasy relief. What she had been too ashamed to share with anyone was the fact her ex had been emotionally abusive almost from the beginning, and his behavior had quickly escalated to the point she’d become fearful for her safety.
    Once she’d started researching domestic abuse, she’d immediately recognized the pattern of behavior the books had described. It had begun with complaints about everything—he found fault with anything and everything she did or said. Nothing she did was or ever would have been good enough. There had been several nights that he’d screamed at her for so long he had actually gone hoarse. But it was Senator John Stevens’ threats to destroy her reputation that resonated the loudest in her mind. His vicious verbal attacks resounded loud and clear anytime she scheduled a press conference. Just thinking about a reporter asking her about her fondness for pain or her membership to one of the most popular BDSM clubs in the state sent shards of icy-fear through her. She wasn’t sure who would be damaged the most in the media frenzy that would ensue, likely they’d both sink like the Titanic.
    Somewhere along the way John had decided her interest in BDSM was an affront to his sexual prowess, which really was laughable when she considered they’d only had sex a handful of times. No reason to repeat any of those ninety-second wonders. Why had she trusted him when every instinct she possessed had warned her he was a predator? Why had she let this man slip through when she should have known he was like every other man who had ever pursued her? Men were only interested in her for one reason—her parents’ money and political influence. And how on earth had he convinced her to reveal what she needed most in the bedroom?
    Shaking off the memory of how her last night with John had shattered all of her dreams, Meri refocused her attention to the task at hand. Good God in heaven above, surely Mr. Bluster is getting close to finished. When he finally introduced her, Meri stepped behind the podium and instinct took over, allowing her to move easily through her prepared remarks. Her memory had always been phenomenal. From the time she’d been able to talk, her parents and teachers had marveled at her ability to recall even the minutest detail of something she’d seen or heard. She’d been tested numerous times in school and the last she’d heard the psychologists were still arguing whether her memory was eidetic or photographic. Personally she’d never cared—it was useful and that was all that mattered to her. After all, just because I can remember minutia doesn’t make me smart…and it damned well didn’t make me a good judge of character when I got involved with John.
    The audience was reacting just as she’d hoped they would and all the right media outlets were in attendance, but something was still off although she was too distracted at the moment to sort it out. Continuing to feed the group’s enthusiasm with the architect’s rendered drawings, she could almost feel the enthusiasm of the group growing. The entire project was going to require a tremendous amount of community support in addition to the Lanham Foundation’s seed money and Regi’s generous donation, so today’s announcement was also the unofficial kick-off for the fundraising effort. She’d been happy to see many of the wealthier locals in attendance, but less than thrilled to see Kelly Mason was among them.
    Meri had attended very exclusive schools so she hadn’t met Kelly until they’d both become members of Prairie Winds at the same time. She’d found out later their parents had known each other for years, and that her dad had gone to considerable effort to ensure she and Kelly’s paths didn’t cross. She’d