With Every Breath Read Online Free PDF Page B

by the fact Sterling had told her with none of his typical, arrogant smugness that she would look fantastic in what he’d picked out for her. No, his gaze had smoldered, and he’d been completely serious and worse, he’d also looked as though he was interested in and couldn’t wait to see the results of his handiwork. And so, like a damn girl, even though she despised the man, she’d seen definite male appreciation in his sexy gaze, and it appealed to her feminine ego to further tempt the beast with what he’d never have a shot at, so she’d not only worn the gorgeous, ridiculously expensive dress—sans bra because she was in a particularly wicked mood—but she’d also taken extra effort with her hair and makeup, which disgusted her because she didn’t want it to be blatantly obvious she wanted to look good. For him . Because she did not give one fuck when it came to her looks nor did she have a clue what looked good on her, something apparently Sterling felt he knew. And since he’d taken the liberty of choosing her wardrobe, he would hardly be able to find fault with her appearance tonight. She just hoped to hell she could avoid him and Gracie, make an appearance and then exit as gracefully and as unnoticed as possible.
    Jesus, but she was the worst sort of idiot for even contemplating knocking Wade Sterling down a few notches and making him swallow his sharp tongue. She didn’t have time for making cute, being a tease with no intention of following through on the promise this damn dress offered not only to Sterling, but to any man. Gah! She hadn’t even considered the “other men” in the equation. Not that she had to worry about the guys she worked for. To them, she was one of them. But whoever else was in attendance wouldn’t be able to look at her sexy vamp look and remotely think, oh yeah, she’s one of the guys .
    A prickle irritated her nape and she frowned at the sudden, unwelcome thought that for once, just one night, she didn’t want to be one of the guys. She was a woman even if she’d refused to give in to most parts of her femininity after the disaster that was Thomas. And now, when he was about to become a free man, unleashed on hapless women he would victimize, she suddenly wanted to reclaim everything he’d stolen from her? She had to be out of her goddamn mind.
    She should have gotten laid a long time ago and gotten it done with. But Thomas Harrington controlled her from behind bars every bit as much as he had when he was a free man, and that fact disgusted her most of all.
    Eliza pulled up to Joie de Vivre in the “swanky” part of Westheimer, as she termed it. Everything about the businesses, and even buildings, looked so new and shiny to practically scream wealth, power, influence. In other words, swank . And it was definitely a place she didn’t belong.
    Reluctantly, she got out of her car, opting to have parked a block away rather than use the valet service Sterling had installed for the occasion. When it was time for her to ditch the event and get the hell out before drawing undue notice, the last thing she wanted was to have to wait in line for her car. Kind of defeated the purpose of fleeing in the first place.
    She glanced critically down her body, biting her lips in vexation. Oh the dress fit. Even her heels fit, and they were the likes of which she’d never be caught dead in, but she’d fallen in love with them the moment she’d pulled them reverently from the elegant box they’d arrived in. Apparently it was get-in-touch-with-Eliza’s-feminine-side night.
    She shimmered in silver from head to toe. Even her shoes sparkled and twinkled when they caught the light just so. The dressed was extremely formfitting, and yet somehow seemed to give the illusion of flowing motion when she moved, sending a glittery flash that enchanted her.
    The thin material cupped her breasts lovingly in a