Free A Weekend Temptation by Krista Caley Page B

with his parents today.
    A wave of queasiness thrashed in her stomach. Better call Alexander while she could before he left to pick her up.
    An hour later, she’d made a decision. She was on her way to see the one man she’d promised she’d never see again.
    The one who didn’t want to see her either.
    Her brother had always said, “You can never plan your life because life takes over.” In the past she’d always been able to prove him wrong. Not today. The back of her eyes burned with unshed tears. She blinked them away. Now she knew exactly what Rob meant.
    That didn’t mean everything had to change. The baby would just be incorporated into her life-plan. Sure, it had taken her by surprise, but that didn’t mean she had to give up what she wanted. She could still marry Alexander and be with the man who loved her, she’d just add a baby to their happy lives. Alexander was an understanding man. Everything would work out.
    After she told Joel.
    ****
    Saturday morning, Joel’s housekeeper opened the door and took Ava’s coat as if she’d been expected. The woman didn’t ask her name or why she was here.
    “You’re a little late for the party, but brunch hasn’t been served yet.” The woman said, smiling.
    Oh, that explained it. Joel was having a people over. Not great timing, but maybe she could steal him away for just a moment.
    “Follow me,” the housekeeper said, leading Ava through an impressive marble foyer to the dinning room.
    A rambunctious, noisy group chatted and laughed. Candles flickered. Champagne flutes clinked. The whole scene.
    Even through the crowd, she knew where to look for Joel—at the head of the table. Even with her eyes closed, she’d have known where he was because she felt him. He still pulled her to him with his strong, male magnetism. Even sitting he was imposing, a man who belonged at the head of every dining table and every boardroom.
    Heads turned as she stepped closer to him. Even though she felt the weight of the group’s questioning eyes, she couldn’t pull her gaze from the powerhouse of the man. His shoulders were just as broad, his hair just as thick and midnight dark, his granite face gorgeous and expressionless.
    “Ava, what are you doing here? Joel, did you invite Ava to our engagement party?” asked a familiar female voice.
    The silken voice made Ava drag her attention from Joel. And when she did, Ava froze and gaped at the sparkling beauty—the one and only Claudia LeMure.
    The supermodel lifted her glass, flashing a dazzling rock. One that made Ava’s ring look like dull quartz.
    Time to do something.
    But Ava froze and stared and tried to remember how to breathe. Her skin flamed with embarrassment.
    “No. I didn’t invite her,” he said, flatly.
    It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Joel’s answer was void of emotion, but that didn’t stop his words from chewing through her. Then his dark eyes met hers in a cold, curious way, and he lifted his regal hand to summon her closer.
    Like any good royal subject, she started to move toward him. Then stopped. As her fuzzy brain added up the details. The party, the guests, Claudia and the glittering ring. Of course. This was an engagement party. His engagement party to Claudia!
    A nervous bubble of wild laughter rose in the back of her throat. Wicked. Joel was a wicked, wicked man. He’d done exactly what he’d set out to do. He’d had Ava sexually. Then he’d gone back to his perfect plan of marrying a woman more fitting of his exalted social stature. Probably the minute Joel’s private jet had landed and his limo had dropped Ava back at her condo, he’d gone to see Claudia.
    Air stuck in the back of Ava’s throat and refused to make its journey down to her lungs. She swayed on her feet, and her ears buzzed. She covered her clogged throat with a trembling hand.
    “Are you okay? You’re whiter than death,” Joel said to Ava, his normally hard, commanding voice softening with surprising