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

you’re right. He would have cherished it as part of her, part of their love. So, if he thought it was a matter of running to his cabin and grabbing it before abandoning ship, he’d have gone.”

“I’d still like to read the diaries. Understand what happened in Marguerite’s own words.”

“I don’t know. We’ve never let anyone outside the family read the diaries.”

“What if I swear to guard them with my life?”

“No, really ...”

“I’ll read them while I’m here. They won’t leave the inn, so you wouldn’t really be letting them out of your control.”

“Scott, they’re too personal. They’re her diaries. I really couldn’t.”

He studied her. “I’m not going to let up on this.”

“You have two weeks to try and persuade me.” Her lips turned up in a slow grin.

“Is that a challenge?”

“Maybe.” She trailed a fingertip down his chest.

“Because, as of yesterday and your Great Underwear Caper, all bets are off.” He rolled her onto her back, covering her body with his. “No more Mr. Noble on my part.”

“The part didn’t suit you anyway.” She ran her hands down his back to cup his bottom.

He closed his eyes as his body hardened. “Just be warned”—he bent down to nuzzle her neck—“I plan to take full advantage of the next two weeks.” Cupping her breast, he rubbed the nipple with his thumb as he spoke. “You come into this room in the middle of the day bending over to make the bed in your see-through dresses, don’t expect to leave untouched.” He retrieved a foil-wrapped packet from the nightstand drawer. “I don’t care if there are people in the hall, or if your brother comes knocking at the door. I will have you.”

“Promise.” She opened her legs to cradle him between her thighs.

“You can bet on it.” He slipped inside her, enjoying the purr of contentment that rumbled in her throat.

* * *

“Okay, I can’t stand the suspense anymore,” Chloe said to her uncle as the three of them stepped out of the old-fashioned candy store licking ice-cream cones. Scott had decided to take the day off and go shopping with Alli and Chloe in the historic district. “I know you know about the boxer shorts, so when are you going to retaliate?”

Allison’s gaze shot to Scott as her cheeks heated. Nearly a week had passed since they had made love on the underwear-strewn bed, but the memory was still fresh in her mind. Along with several other tantalizing memories of encounters that had followed.

“Who says I’m going to retaliate?” Scott countered calmly.

“Oh, come on,” Chloe whined. “It’s not like you to do nothing.”

He affected a sinister look. “Perhaps that’s my revenge. To leave you wondering for the rest of your life, glancing over your shoulder, waiting for me to strike.”

“Now that is like you.” Chloe’s eyes widened as she turned to Alli. “I told you he was clever. Only, he’ll have to catch me first.” The girl took off like a power walker down The Strand.

Smiling at each other, Scott and Alli followed at a slower pace past the gift shops and art galleries. Brightly painted buildings stood beside stately red-brick and colorful blossoms filled planters and flower boxes. A few of the merchants had even set a sampling of their wares out on the sidewalk to take advantage of the springtime weather. The day would be perfect, Allison decided, if not for the cloud of the lawsuit hovering in the back of her mind.

John LeRoche had rejected their offer to drop the slander suit if he’d drop his suit. Their attorney’s confidence about their chances of winning seemed to dwindle daily, but they’d voted to stick to their guns. The thought of a court battle made Alli’s stomach churn. But then Scott casually took her hand in his, and her anxiety vanished.

Just walking down the street with him, hand in hand, filled her with contentment. Over the past week, not a day went by that he didn’t find a way to get her alone. Sometimes in his room as he had warned, but he’d also coaxed her down the walking trail late one night where he took her against a tree. The following night, they’d left the house separately and rendezvoused at the far end of the beach, where they’d made love on a blanket with the stars overhead and moonlight shining on the cove.

A smile tugged at her lips as she licked her cone, savoring the icy vanilla and chunks of chocolate.

“What’s that smile about?” he asked.

“I was just thinking I might need to ... um ... clean your room when we get back to the inn.”

He raised a brow, then chuckled. “You know, Alli... I sure hope you aren’t expecting Santa Claus to bring you any presents this year.” When she looked at him askance, he leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Because you are a very naughty girl.”

She licked her cone, smiling up at him. “I do believe I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“As it was intended.” They stood for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes as tourists moved around them on the sidewalk. A horse-drawn carriage clopped down the street, harnesses jangling, as the driver regaled his passengers with the history of Galveston. “Yeah”—Scott ran his thumb over her knuckles—“I think my room could use a little extra dusting when we get back.”

“Hey, guys, come look!” Chloe called, waving toward the windows of the Strand Emporium. “Check this out.”

With twin sighs, they continued down the sidewalk.

“What’d you find, kid?” Scott asked.

Chloe thumped the glass with her finger. “Look at that old baseball mitt.”

Allison smiled at the girl. “One of the vendors specializes in sports memorabilia.” When Scott looked at her, she explained. “I used to work here.”

“Can we go in?” Chloe asked.

“Finish your ice cream first.” He took another lick of his own cone, as his niece gobbled hers down.

“All done.” Chloe held a hand in front of her full mouth.

“Hang on.” Allison dug through her purse for a hand wipe. “The dealers get