Sudden Pleasures Read Online Free PDF Page B

father had a good restoration business going, but it was the son who saw the need for new antiques. And it’s all American-made, although he has brought expert artisans over from Europe and Ireland to teach his employees the old tricks of the trade. He’s one smart guy. Just like Ashley, he saw a need and stepped in to fill it. It’s made him a multimillionaire. He won’t lose it for lack of a wife.”
    “He could get one of those mail-order brides, couldn’t he?” Tiffany said.
    “Nah, not his style. With the people he associates with in his business, he’ll want someone who is educated, can speak intelligently with his clients, and will be a terrific hostess. And Kimbrough Hall would be a wonderful place for him to entertain. We both know that Ashley isn’t going to give up her home for anyone, and besides, he’d be nuts not to want to live there. It’s a perfect venue for a guy in his field.”
    “So now all we have to do is get Ashley to agree,” Tiffany said.
    “No, first Ray speaks with his client, and then if the man is agreeable we set up a meeting with our client. They might not even like each other, Tiff, and they have to at least like each other to make this work,” Joe said to his wife.
    “How could any man not like Ashley?” she replied. “She’s gorgeous.”
    “A lot of men have liked her, but for all the wrong reasons,” Joe reminded her. “At least with this guy we start with an even playing field. She’s rich; he’s rich. So we know he’s not after her money. Still, I’m going to run a check on him just to be certain. We can’t be too careful, and Ashley has got to be protected.”
    “When will you talk to Ray again?” Tiffany wanted to know.
    “This afternoon,” Joe replied. “Don’t call Ashley.”
    “Why not?” Tiffany wanted to know.
    “Because until Ray’s client says he is willing to meet her we have nothing. I don’t want her getting her hopes up, only to dash them. She’s had enough sorrow these last few years. She doesn’t need to be rejected by someone who hasn’t even met her.”
    “You’re right,” Tiffany agreed. “Poor kid. Losing her grandfather and her brother, having three weddings called off. It’s a lot to bear. It’s a wonder she’s so normal and nice, isn’t it?” And then Tiffany remembered Ashley’s remark yesterday afternoon about someone’s cute butt getting whipped. She almost giggled as she considered what kind of fantasies Ashley must have on the Channel. But hell, if a little naughty spanking took the edge off of her nerves, so what? That was the beauty of the Channel: Nothing was real. She turned to her husband. “You playing cards tonight with your group?”
    “Yeah. We’ll have dinner at the club and play there,” Joe told her. “You don’t mind being alone, do you?”
    “Of course not,” Tiffany said with a smile, and she patted his shoulder. “You need your nights out.” And I need the Channel , she was already thinking. Tonight she was going to let the young sultan spank her, and then he would fuck her brains out. No. She didn’t mind Joe’s card playing after work at all. She welcomed it!

C HAPTER T WO
    R yan Finbar Mulcahy winked at the receptionist in the foyer of Alexander, Stoddard, and Kingsley as she told him to go right into Mr. Pietro d’Angelo’s office. He heard her giggle behind him, and he grinned. She was petite and blond and cute. Just the kind of girl he’d marry if she weren’t so damned young. Was she even twenty? he wondered. And he winced, realizing that the receptionist was probably young enough to be his daughter. He had nine months to go until he was forty. It was a sobering thought.
    “What’s up, Ray?” he asked as he lowered his long frame into a chair opposite the desk. “What’s so urgent that you have to drag me from work?”
    “Your mother called me a few weeks ago,” Ray began. “She and Frankie don’t like what your other sisters are doing. You know they’ve lined