Systematic Seduction Read Online Free PDF

have never been back.”
    “Do
you still have panic attacks?”
    “Not
now. I had them for about two years afterwards. The memories haven’t faded as
much as I’d have thought they would by now. That’s why I recognized what you
were going through.”
    She
didn’t say anything, merely stared into his eyes. Their server came to ask if
they needed anything else, and Oliver asked her to give them a few minutes to
think about it. After she left, he gave Blair a sympathetic look.
    “You
don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I will understand. Just know this.
I am here to listen anytime. Whether you want to tell me a little, or tell me
the whole thing, I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.”
    She
wasn’t sure she understood. “No more questions, then?”
    “Not
about your panic attacks.” He gave her hands another squeeze and then released
them. “I need to finish this burger. It’s too good to leave uneaten. How about
dessert? What do you recommend?”
    Blair
almost felt cheated because it had taken her a lot of courage and soul
searching to reach the decision she’d tell him a little, but at the same time,
she was overwhelmed at his compassion and understanding.
    “I’ve
had the apple crisp, and it’s fabulous warmed with vanilla ice cream on top.
But I’m not sure I can eat an entire one myself. I’m pretty stuffed.”
    “That
sounds heavenly. Let’s share it.” He signaled for their server and ordered one
apple crisp to share, then asked Blair if she’d like to take a walk when they
were finished. “The river is pretty at night, with the lights along it.”
    “I’d
love that.” This evening had turned out to be more delightful than she’d ever imagined,
and it wasn’t over yet. Blair had the sensation of a fresh breeze blowing, the
way it used to feel and smell after a heavy rain. Maybe her luck was finally
changing?
     

Chapter
Four
     
    Oliver
held her hand as they walked along the fake river. They’d even added the smell
of water, but he remembered what a river had really smelled like, and they
couldn’t duplicate the soft breeze that had blown off one as you walked this
close to it. Still, this was very pleasant, made so only because he was with
Blair.
    He’d
made the decision not to push her into telling him what had triggered the panic
attack after relaying the story of the wind and rain storm. He could have died
in that warehouse. A few more days without adequate drinking water and food and
he likely would have died anyway, because he doubted anyone would have found
him in time to get him to a hospital.
    Telling
it to someone made him all the more cognizant of how it felt to hold a secret
like that inside. Whatever had sparked her reaction this morning, once again he
realized she clearly wasn’t ready to tell him. He didn’t doubt the story about
her mother, but he also sensed it wasn’t complete by any stretch of the
imagination.
    He
glanced down at her, smiling at the way the lights made her hair shine. Why
didn’t she date? Would she be upset if he asked? Only one way to find out. He’d been wondering for years now. She
didn’t have many close friends at work and no one knew much about her.
    “How
is it you’re not seeing anyone?”
    She
kept her gaze on the walkway in the distance. “I was, but I’m not now.”
    If
she’d recently broken up with someone, that was news to him. “Someone at work?”
If one of his team members had hurt her, he’d have to do something about it.
    “No.
He doesn’t work for you.”
    “Blair,
forgive me for prying, but it’s very hard for me to believe there is only one
ex-boyfriend in your life.”
    She
stopped walking and took a seat on one of the many benches lining the walkway.
He sat next to her, watching the emotions cross her face in profile. His heart
went out to this woman. She clearly was conflicted about confiding in him, but
he knew from personal experience that it did help to get things out. She was so
damn