Free Wicked & Willing: Bad Girls by Leslie Kelly

incredibly fortunate to have always been part of a wealthy lifestyle. Still, he liked to think it hadn’t ruined him. He might have a reputation as a playboy at night, but fifty-hour workweeks had been a part of his life for the past several years. He didn’t mind hard work though, since he had never aspired to be a useless rich guy with fast cars, fast women and no ambition.
    He also liked to think he could do exactly what his twin had—make it completely on his own, without a penny of Langtree money. Though until recently his paychecks had come from a family-owned business, that’s essentially what he’d done. His salary had certainly been in line with any other retail executive, and it had supported him just fine. He wore nice clothes because he liked them and got them at a discount. He drove a Jaguar because he enjoyed going fast. Otherwise, he was pretty conservative with his money.
    Not, he imagined, that Venus Messina would believe it.
    Whatever she believed, she had to know he was in a position to help her deal with her new surroundings. If Leo’s claims proved true, if she really was Max’s granddaughter, she’d have to deal with them for the rest of her life.
    Tending bar at a Baltimore pub was a long way from interacting with the elite of Atlanta. She was right—she’d be crucified the minute she attended her first social function. Not by Max, of course. If Venus really turned out to be his son’s daughter, Max wouldn’t care if the woman got up and danced the limbo on the bar at the country club.
    “She won’t, though,” he muttered as he rinsed his hair. Because Troy had said he’d help her and that’s exactly what he intended to do. At least until he found out for sure what she was up to. Until then, helping her learn to fit in would be the perfect excuse to keep her within his sight and try to make sure Max didn’t get hurt. The tricky part would be keeping her in his sight…but out of his arms and out of his bed.
    Which was exactly where he most wanted her to be.
    She was funny and beautiful. Irreverent and bawdy. But at some moments so damned vulnerable, he wanted to just take her in his arms and hold her. Pretty unbelievable for Troy Langtree, whose own twin had on occasion called him a louse when it came to women.
    Twisting the knob close to ice-cold, he let a jet of frigid water cascade down his body, then turned the showeroff. After opening the glass door, he stepped out onto the mat, then reached for a towel he’d dropped on the counter earlier. Before he could take another step toward it, however, he realized he had company.
    Venus.
    Standing just a few feet away, inside the bathroom, she froze, just as he did. Their eyes met, their stares held. They both sucked in their breath and held it. Each stunned. Each unsure what would come next.
    Troy noted the shock on her face. He didn’t imagine Venus Messina was shocked by much. Now, though, her wide eyes and gaping mouth said his presence had taken her by surprise.
    “Ever hear of knocking?” he asked in a lazy drawl, making no effort to grab the towel. Hell, if she wanted to stand there staring at his naked body, instead of beating a hasty retreat, he’d accommodate her.
    She wore only a fluffy towel sarong style, that barely covered all the essentials. Her hair was piled loosely on her head, with a few long, tempting curls hanging loose. In one hand she held a small bottle of bath oil and a paperback book. Her other hand was pressed flat against her heart, the bright red tips of her long nails stark against the white terrycloth and her smooth, creamy skin.
    Her eyes remained wide and appraising. Without so much as an apology, an embarrassed explanation, and certainly not a quick exit, she moved her gaze over his body, head to toe. Even from here he could see the strong, fast pulse in her neck and the rush of color on her face. Her every deeply inhaled breath loosened the towel she wore. His heart skipped a beat, as he wondered if