Free High-Society Seduction by Maxine Sullivan

she didn’t party much at all, not even on the weekends. She must be so different from his other women friends. Mistresses, she corrected, reminding herself that she wasn’t his mistress and didn’t intend to be, so being different in this case was a good thing.
    A shadow of relief crossed his face. “That’s okay. I’m not really up for it myself. I just thought you might like to go out.”
    His consideration softened something inside her, even more so when she saw that he looked tired. He must have a lot to worry about right now, with his brother and father away so much, not to mention all this business about Liam. She tried not to let it get to her.
    “You’ve just finished work by the looks of things.”
    He loosened his tie a little. “Yes.”
    “Have you eaten?”
    “Not yet.”
    She hesitated. “Me, either. I made spaghetti bolognese and there’s plenty to share if you want to stay and eat with me. It’s nothing fancy.”
    He eyed her quizzically. “You don’t mind?”
    “You’ve been feeding me a lot lately. I guess I can repay the favor,” she said wryly.
    He smiled. “With an invitation like that, how can I refuse?”
    She smiled back at him, then spun toward the kitchen. “Would you like a glass of wine?” she asked, pleased that at least her voice sounded normal, even if her racing pulse wasn’t.
    He followed her and stood in the doorway. “No thanks. If I had alcohol right now I’d probably fall asleep.” His voice lingered. “Of course, then you’d have to put me to bed.”
    She peered at him, not smiling now. “Why do you say things like that? We don’t have an audience.”
    “I like making you blush.”
    “I don’t embarrass easily. If my cheeks are red, it’s from anger,” she fibbed.
    The gleam in his eyes said he knew better. “I enjoy knowing I’m affecting a woman…like she affects me.”
    She felt heat burst into her cheeks. “Adam…” she warned.
    “Do you realize you blush on and off for me? I kind of like being the switch that turns you on.”
    “And off,” she flipped back at him. She handed him some cutlery and place mats. “Here. You can set the table over there.”
    He chuckled, then took the items and did as he was told. With a silent sigh of relief, she turned away and finished preparing the food. Soon they were sitting down to eat.
    In contrast, Adam didn’t talk much while they ate.
    “That was delicious,” he said, finally, putting his napkin aside after he’d cleaned his plate. Then he leaned back in his chair with an inward look. “You can be quite calming to be around.”
    “I can?”
    His mouth tilted. “Sometimes.”
    “You’re just tired.”
    He acknowledged that with a nod of his head. “I wanted to tell you something and was waiting until we’d eaten.”
    Her heart jumped into her throat. “You’ve got the money?” she said, hope rising inside her. It would solve all their problems if—
    His mouth turned down at the corners. “No.”
    “Oh.” That was somewhat disappointing, despite it still being early.
    “My guys are on it now.”
    She nodded. It was a letdown to realize he’d kept to his word and hadn’t even started looking for the money until she’d attended the ball with him. It said how much he didn’t trust her. Of course, she didn’t trust him either, so why would he be any different? There was nothing between them to trust anyway.
    She held herself stiffly, preparing for what he was going to say. “What do you want to tell me then?”
    “Todd stopped by my office to see me today. He and Chelsea are having a housewarming party this weekend. He wants us to come.”
    She considered that. “I guess it would be okay,” she said slowly.
    “It’s in the Grampians, at their new vacation home.”
    “What!” She thought ahead. “That’s a long drive.”
    “Around three hours. It’ll mean staying overnight.”
    “In the same bedroom?”
    “Yes.”
    “Same bed?”
    “More than likely. Unless Chelsea