Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page B

to officially introduce myself to you. Jacques Gaston. Artist extraordinaire.”
    “Not only smooth, but modest, too,” Liza quipped, withdrawing her hand.
    “I see no reason for false modesty,” Jacques returned. A megawatt smile spread across his handsome face. “Do you?”
    Aimee bit back a laugh at the wary arch of her friend’s brow. Like most men, Jacques was obviously drawn to the other woman’s beauty. That was something Liza herself considered a flaw, since most people failed to see past the physical loveliness to the woman inside.
    She cut a glance to Jacques, and grinned at his captivated expression. Whether Liza wanted it or not, she had herself another conquest. The truth was, Aimee had yet to meet a member of the male species who hadn’t succumbed to Liza’s beauty and charm.
    Except Peter.
    Although he had met her and Liza at the same party, Peter had never once shown any interest in her gorgeous friend. She had been the sole object of his attention.
    As Liza and Jacques continued to spar, Aimee looked across the room at Peter. Leaning against the countertop, his arms folded over his chest, he appeared bored and even irritated by Liza’s appearance—not the least bit affected by her friend’s beauty. For some reason, the thought filled Aimee with pleasure, made her feel special. Surely, if Peter’s interest in her was merely physical, he would have found Liza equally appealing.
    As though sensing her scrutiny, Peter shifted his gaze to Aimee. His eyes darkened to a smoky blue, reminding her of storm clouds gathering before a squall. He stared at her mouth, her throat, then dropped his gaze to her breasts. Braless, her nipples hardened against her T-shirt.
    Aimee swallowed as his gaze dropped lower still. Her stomach quivered in response, and she could feel the warm tenderness gathering between her thighs.
    “No thanks, Mr. Gaston,” Liza was saying. “I gave up being interested in seeing a man’s etchings…er, paintings, when I was still in high school,” she added coolly.
    The ice in her friend’s voice enabled Aimee to turn away, breaking the sensuous spell Peter cast over her with one of his steamy looks.
    “I promise you, mine are worth seeing,” Jacques said, seemingly unperturbed by Liza’s barb.
    “Like I said, I’m not interested in seeing your paintings. But I’m sure Aimee would love to see them.”
    Aimee narrowed her eyes at the triumphant note in Liza’s voice. She caught the smug smile her friend tossed Peter’s way. For the life of her, Aimee didn’t understand why Liza insisted Peter was using her, or why her friend remained furious with Peter for his refusal to marry without the prenuptial agreement. Whatever the reason, Aimee was certain that Liza’s attempts to make Peter jealous were not the answer to her dilemma. Jealousy didn’t necessarily equal love. Although she had told her friend as much on numerous occasions,it hadn’t stopped the blond beauty from trying to elicit that reaction from Peter.
    “After all, Aimee’s an artist,” Liza said sweetly. “It’s something the two of you have in common.”
    Aimee cut a glance to Peter. From his thunderous expression, she knew Peter had risen to Liza’s bait once again.
    “Ah, but Aimee has already seen my paintings,” Jacques said smoothly.
    “Has she now?” Peter asked, his mouth tightening into an angry line.
    “Yes,” Jacques replied offhandedly.
    Aimee nearly groaned, wishing Jacques had explained that she had seen the paintings when he moved into the building, two days before. Obviously, from the looks on both Liza’s and Peter’s faces, they had jumped to a far less innocent conclusion—one that Aimee refused to dignify with an explanation.
    “But you, Liza, have not seen my work.” Evidently not the least concerned by the scowl on Peter’s face, Jacques refilled Liza’s wineglass. “Sure you won’t change your mind?”
    “Quite sure.” Liza set her glass down firmly on the countertop.