Free Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster Page A

decision about Kara?” Agatha quipped. Her tone was far from pleasant. In fact, Grace would have categorized it as deliberately provoking.
    Noah didn’t seem to notice. “Celebrating, actually.”
    Agatha drew back. For a brief moment she looked hurt. “Why, Noah?”
    He met her level gaze. “Sorry, but I told you, that’s private.”
    Grace moved to stand in front of him again, wishing she could somehow protect his heart. To most people, Noah probably looked stubborn, and as durable as a granite cliff.
    To Grace, he appeared vulnerable and chivalrous, and she wished with all her heart that Agatha would tell him she understood, that she believed in him and trusted his judgment. She wished Agatha would show him that he was loved.
    Her wishes were in vain.
    Agatha took them both in with a shrewd glance. “If only you’d kept this unseemly little liaison private. You hide your reasons for publicly humiliating a family we’ve counted as close friends for too many years to count and flaunt an indiscretion.”
    “Unseemly?” Grace sputtered in indignation.
    Agatha ignored her. “However, since you didn’t keep it private, you’ve ruined Grace, probably along with any chance you had of reconciling with Kara. I hope you’re ready to deal with the consequences.”
    Slowly and with a good dose of menace, Noah pushed to his feet. “I don’t want to reconcile with Kara. And as to Grace, I—”
    Without conscious thought, Grace took his hand. It was large and warm, and despite his being the grandson of a very wealthy and influential woman, his fingertips were rough from outdoor work and play.
    As they locked fingers, Grace saw Agatha take note of the telling gesture. “Noah did not ruin me,” she said, struggling for a calm she didn’t feel, “even though I was more than willing to be thoroughly ruined.”
    “Grace Jenkins!”
    Noah stared at the ceiling, but his shoulders trembled with silent laughter.
    “It’s true, Agatha. I went to his house. I knew he was drunk, but still I stayed. And I was the one who—”
    Grace’s words were cut off by Noah’s big hand. He pulled her back into his chest and with a hold on her hand and mouth, held her securely. He even rocked her a little.
    She liked it. When she tipped her head back to see him, he winked.
    To Agatha, he explained, “Grace is a little distraught at having missed the meeting. She takes her work very seriously.”
    “You don’t have to tell me that,” Agatha replied sharply. Her gaze narrowed in challenge. “Then again, under the circumstances, it hardly matters, does it?”
    Grace stilled at those shrewd, cutting words. With her free hand, she reached up for Noah’s thick wrist and gently pried his fingers from her mouth. Tension had invaded him; she felt it and wondered that Agatha didn’t also. “What are you talking about, Agatha?”
    Agatha sniffed and patted at her silver hair. “You’ve shown a distinct lack of morals, Grace. The Callens are friends, very dear friends.”
    “I know that.” Grace’s heart thumped and her stomach tightened.
    “Of course you do. You’ve worked with them, through me, many times. We deal with them socially and through business on a regular basis. I’m sure you can see how awkward this would be for all of us.” Agatha turned away to stride to her desk. She didn’t go to the chair but chose instead to perch on the edge, her ankles crossed and her head lifted in challenge. She was a tall woman, quite slender, and even at seventy-eight, she had an imposing air.
    Noah held Grace a little tighter. She felt his frustration and his growing anger. “What would be awkward, Agatha? Spell it out.”
    “Why, Grace working for me.” Agatha straightened a paper, moved a pen. “She’s involved herself in this sordid little contretemps, and unfortunately, there’s no way to extricate her now. It would be an insult to the Callens, and to Kara especially, to keep her on.”
    Grace sank into Noah, grateful for his