Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page A

simply beautiful. So much of your father’s coloring. Stunning.”
    “Thank you, Mother.” I can’t ignore the tears in my mother’s eyes at the mention of my father. “You’re beautiful, too. And Father would be so proud of you. The lives you’ve touched and the bridges you’ve mended in Africa. The work you’ve done is phenomenal. I couldn’t be more proud.”
    “Thanks, darling. I’ve tried to live as Richard would’ve wanted me to. Wealth isn’t something to hoard. We’re very blessed, and it would be a sin not to help others. Someday, I hope you will carry on with the foundation. I’m not getting any younger.” My mother doesn’t look anywhere near her age of sixty, but what do I say to her desire to appoint me as her successor?
    “You’ll be at the helm for years to come, Mother. Besides, I haven’t a clue about running a foundation.” She releases my hand, and I hope I haven’t offended her by my slight rebuff.
    “I know, but think about it. I know you’re invested in your business, but I’d love for you to be involved with the foundation in some way. Even coming in a day or two a week.” The hopefulness I see in her is something I can’t dismiss.
    “We can talk more about it later, but a day a week seems doable. I’d love to learn more about what you’re doing.”
    “Nothing would make me happier. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’d love to see you find love again.”
    Her last words were spoken cautiously as if trying them on for size. Frankly, I’m not sure how well they fit me right now. I don’t know if I’ll ever find another love like Jean-Paul, and the saps I’ve met have been far from encouraging. I miss the feeling of being loved and loving someone with my whole heart in return.
    “As you know very well, there’ll be no replacing Jean-Paul.” She nods and understands since she hasn’t remarried after my father’s passing. “But I am open to seeing what fate has in store for me. I haven’t met anyone I’ve had an ounce of chemistry with.”
    “Ah, yes. Chemistry.” Mother rolls the word over her tongue, slowly drawing out its sound. “The much-needed but often overlooked essential to long-lasting love.”
    “Exactly. After experiencing it, I’ll never settle for anything else.”
    “And you shouldn’t, dear.” My mother knows a lot about chemistry. What she and my father shared was nothing less then an electrifying love. I remember my father staring at her longingly across the dinner table. The man was head over heels for her. He always had his hands on her in some manner, touching her shoulders, smoothing her hair, even a few pats on the ass. They loved each other with a deep passion.
    “There’s a man coming tonight I want you to meet.” I begin to protest, but my mother cuts me off with a quick lift of her hand, a familiar gesture from times past when I tried to interrupt her and was overruled. “He’s something else. Tall, dark, and handsome. Best looking man I’ve seen in years. I swear if I was younger...”
    I watch in shock as my mother transforms into a giggling schoolgirl in front of me. Holy hell. Who is this guy?
    “Okay, Mother. Now I’m super curious.” I tip my head to the side, trying to process this person she’s become in front of me. “I have a strange feeling you want to live vicariously through me.”
    “That’s silly. I’m nearly double his age.” She waves me off. “Just wait until later tonight. You’ll see what I mean. He’s giving a large donation to our foundation, and I’ll be sure to introduce you.”
    “Who’s this man and how old is he?” I’m failing terribly at appearing uninterested, but I wonder if I’ve ever heard of him. Although it’s unlikely, considering I’ve been out of the New York social scene for years.
    “His name is Adam Kingsley.” The makeup artist applying my eyeliner stops cold and almost inaudibly gasps. I look up at her and find horror written all over her face.
    “I believe