Stolen Kisses Read Online Free PDF Page A

positive exactly how she managed to say one coherent word, let alone do justice to the proposal for Planchet Enterprises. All she remembered clearly about the next hour were the speculative looks that went from the man in front of her to her rigid figure by the easel. Of those seated at the table, Tory Planchet seemed the most interested. How much did Trevor’s sister remember about the Bushes’ party?
    Ignoring her audience didn’t give Jessie any respite. Whenever she glanced in Gina’s direction her partner was eyeing the man as if he were her favorite dessert—double dipped in semi-sweet chocolate, rolled in cashews, and topped with whip cream. The only person who seemed unaffected in the aftermath of Trevor’s outrageous entrance was Trevor himself.
    Like his father, he didn’t appear to be bothered by business conventions. He was dressed in slate-blue pleated slacks, the same blue alternating with gray and brown stripes in his shirt. His suspenders, however, were a conservative brown that matched his knit tie. And Jessie had the urge to snap, “Stop that,” as he crossed his legs and idly swung his ankle from side to side.
    His hooded gaze never strayed to the easel. Instead his attention alternated between her face and her body. For one wild moment, she imagined he was mentally undressing her, then ruthlessly dismissed the thought before she created her own mental image of Trevor dressed only in rabbit ears. Thankfully, Gina uncovered the final drawing, of T.L.’s office, a second later.
    When she finished, a polite round of applause from the others was punctuated by shouts of “Bravo” from one of the company. Jessie expelled her breath, relieved she hadn’t fainted—yet.
    “Jessie, the concept is as delightful as I remember.” T.L. succeeded in drowning out his son with little effort. “Does anyone have any questions or comments?” The question was followed by general murmurings of approval and compliments as the others rose to their feet.
    “Are you sure that pink color is going to work in the ladies’ restroom off the lobby?”
    Jessie kept her smile in place only by biting into the side of her mouth for a moment before she answered. “That pink color is called dusty mauve, Mr. Planchet. It’s a very soothing color. I’ve used it in my own home.”
    “Really? Where?” Trevor’s eyebrows rose in polite inquiry, but his expression told her he was asking ridiculous questions only so she would look at him.
    “It’s a good choice, Jessie,” T.L. said expansively. “You and Gina have excellent color sense. That’s one of the reasons I felt Aesthetics, Ltd. was our best choice.” He rounded the table, seeming to place himself purposely between Jessie and his son. He couldn’t know he saved Jessie from admitting she’d used the disputed color in her bedroom. “Isn’t that right, Trev?”
    “Yes, sir.” Jessie was amazed at his deference to his father, though there had been nothing censuring in his father’s tone.
    “Good, good, then we’re all agreed,” the elder Planchet exclaimed, shaking hands with both Jessie and Gina once more as the board members bid them good-bye and left. Minutes later, only the Planchets remained. “If it isn’t too much trouble, I would like to keep the drawings for a few days, just to let the staff see what they can look forward to in our new home.”
    “Certainly, T.L. Keep them as long as necessary,” Gina answered when Jessie was suddenly busy rearranging the drawings under discussion and placing them on the long walnut table that bisected the room. “We can’t wait to get started on this,” she continued as Jessie, overly aware that Trevor was poised for the minute she turned back toward the small group, started to gather up both their purses and the portfolio. “It’s going to be such a pleasure working with all of you.”
    Stiffening slightly at her partner’s emphasis, Jessie continued to impersonate the anal-retentive decorator until