LEAD ME ON by Julie Ortolon (find a book to read TXT) 📕

“Yeah. Guess so.” Lightning flashed, followed by a blast of thunder that shook the ground.

They looked at each other, and she wished he would kiss her one last time. Instead, he looked toward the house where lights shone from every window. “I need to use the phone in the office for a private call, if that’s all right.”

“Certainly.” She frowned at his stiff manner after the openness they’d shared for the past twenty-four hours. But that was part of the deal, she supposed. One night only. She turned back toward the house. “Shall we make a dash for it and leave our bags for later?”

“Definitely.” He peered out at the rain. “You ready?”

She nodded and they moved together, jumping from the dry safety of the car into the deluge. They raced for the back porch, splashing through puddles before they ducked beneath the protection of the overhang. Sheets of rain fell about them in a gray curtain, closing them in that small space as they shook water from their hair. Allison plucked at her wet T-shirt, thankful it wasn’t wet enough to have gone completely transparent. With Scott crowding in behind her, she maneuvered around the motorcycle and reached for the door.

“Wait,” he said.

She turned toward him as best she could. Though his body blocked the wind, the intensity of his gaze made her shiver.

He cupped her face in his hands, holding her there as he lowered his mouth to cover her cool lips with a hot kiss. She swayed into him, absorbing every sensation as he wrapped his arms about her. Her fingers slid into his wet hair as the taste and scent of rain filled her. A part of her wished the exhilarating freedom of the past two days could go on forever. It had been a time out of time, where she could be as bold as she dared.

Wanting to cling to that an instant longer, she pressed into him. He groaned as he kissed the raindrops from her cheeks, her neck, then returned to her mouth, taking her back to that place of greedy giving. Her body trembled as he lifted his head. She looked up into his eyes, and saw the same blaze of desire that burned inside her.

He banked it slowly, pulling back inside himself before he stepped away physically. “Okay.” He nodded, his voice raspy but firm. “Now I’m ready.”

The words were an ending. She nodded, knowing it was best but feeling an odd sadness as she led the way inside. The air-conditioned back hall raised goose bumps on her arms. A murmur of voices came from the kitchen, letting her know the whole family was gathered there. She let out a sigh as she and Scott took off their muddy boots.

“I guess I’ll need to get fitted for a new pair,” he said, frowning at his black cowboy boots. They were eel-skin—meant for dress wear, not horseback riding—and they looked frightfully expensive. They were also scuffed beyond repair.

“Sorry,” she offered.

“Don’t be.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “The ride was worth it.”

Sadie let out a bark and came charging toward the sound of their voices. “Hey there, sweetie.” Allison bent forward and ruffled the dog’s long fur. “Did you miss me?”

“Who’s this?” Scott asked, smiling at the dog.

“Sadie.” Allison looked up at him. “We keep her in the kitchen or downstairs most of the time, since not all guests care for dogs.”

He gave the sheltie a scratch beneath the chin, winning her over instantly. “She’s a pretty thing.”

Sadie cocked her head and barked.

“And she knows it.” Allison laughed, then straightened. Bolstering her courage, she stepped into the open doorway to the kitchen.

Silence descended. Adrian, Rory, and Chance sat around the worktable, their expressions grave.

Allison’s stomach tensed. “Is something wrong?”

Adrian glanced meaningfully at Scott before answering. “Family matter. We’ve been waiting for you to join us.”

“Oh.” Her gaze flew from one frowning face to the next, wondering what had happened. Or were they simply planning to berate her again about last night, this time en masse? “I’ll be right with you.”

Rather than walk through the kitchen and butler’s pantry, she motioned for Scott to follow her to the small servant’s door that led straight from the back hall into the central hall. “The phone’s this way. No, Sadie, you stay.”

Sadie barked in protest and Allison quickly closed the door on the sound. Turning, she was glad to find the central hall free of guests, since she looked a bit worse for wear in her stocking feet and wet T-shirt. A couple sat in the music room, across the hall from the dining room, watching the TV they’d tucked into an armoire, but they were too absorbed in their show to pay any attention to her and Scott.

“So how much grief are they going to give you?” he asked as they headed for the office.

“I don’t know. It could be something else.”

He nodded and let the subject drop.

“The phone’s here on the desk,” she said as she turned on a floor lamp. “We have a block on the line to prevent anyone but us from making long distance calls, so you’ll need a calling card.”

“No problem.” He reached for his wallet. “I just need a few minutes of privacy.”

“Take your time. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.” She stopped long enough to pull the sliding pocket doors together, closing the room off.

Scott let out a breath when she was gone, but his temper began to simmer again as he dialed the number for his sister’s house in New Orleans. Everything Allison had told him on the beach kept playing through his mind. He had expected some ill will between Nicole’s descendants and the LeRoche family, but the extent of her animosity stunned him, as did the reason behind it.

His sister answered on the first ring, sounding frantic. “Chloe?”

“No, it’s Scott.” He frowned at Diane’s tone.

“Scott? Oh, thank God! I’ve been trying to get in