Read Aegis 01 - First Exposure for Free Online Page B

another massive room, this one decked out with soaring ceilings, arched windows that looked out over the grounds of the resort, formal furnishings grouped around a massive fireplace, and on the edges, a series of desks and chairs.
    Avery glanced at Patrice from the back. The woman was gorgeous, slim, athletic, and her breasts were all but falling out of that top. Avery couldn’t help but wonder what kind of amenities Patrice was offering and whether or not she’d be joining in.
    “Everything okay?” Cade whispered, leaning close to her ear.
    A shot of irritation whipped through Avery. What the hell was that? Jealousy? She had no business being jealous. While she had zero intention of taking advantage of any “amenities” while she was here, that didn’t mean Cade couldn’t. With this beck-and-call woman or any other.
    “Yes, fine,” she snapped, more harshly than she intended.
    He shot her a look, and Avery took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves, then nodded slowly, reassuring him she wasn’t going to blow their cover.
    Patrice led them toward the farthest desk, moved around the piece of Elizabethan furniture, and gestured for them to sit. Just as they did, a waiter swept into the room carrying a tray of champagne flutes. “Welcome to Indulgence.”
    Avery took the champagne he offered and downed half of it before she realized Cade had politely turned down the offer.
    The waiter moved out of the room as quietly as he’d entered, and Patrice’s fingers clicked over keys while she studied the screen in front of her. Finally, she said, “We’ve got you booked in one of our best suites on the waterfront. There are two other units in your area. Inside your bungalow, you’ll find a welcome packet outlining all the amenities the resort offers, as well as rules and regulations while you’re here. Look through the information, then let me know if you have any questions. And be sure to tell me what activities I can schedule for you. We have many I think you’re going to enjoy. While at Indulgence, we want you to relax, let your stress go, and indulge in every one of your fantasies.”
    She reached for a card and slid it across the table. “This is my personal number. Call me day or night. I’m here only to serve and entertain you.”
    Avery lifted the champagne flute to her lips and eyed Patrice over the edge. The woman was totally fixated on Cade as if Avery weren’t even in the room, and interest flared deeply in her pale blue eyes.
    Irritation growing, Avery downed the rest of her champagne, then reached for the card, covering Cade’s fingers with her own so Patrice-the-viper couldn’t touch him. “Thank you, but I’m sure we won’t be needing your services. Mr. Black prefers blondes…other than me.”
    Both of them looked her way, but Avery wasn’t about to back down. This might only be a role, but she was going to play it for all it was worth.
    Patrice’s eyes narrowed. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Avery Scott, the actress?”
    The air caught in Avery’s throat. Dammit, what was she supposed to say? They’d practiced it on the plane but at the moment her brain was too wrapped around keeping the viper’s hands off her man to remember what they’d agreed on.
    And… her man ? Whoa. Wait a minute. Where had that come from?
    Sweat broke out all along her spine. She started to pull her hand back, but Cade wrapped his fingers around hers before she could break free. “Nah, she’s way hotter than Avery Scott.”
    Startled, Avery looked his way, then faltered. Heat blazed in his black-as-night eyes. Heat and an admiration that sparked a thousand memories.
    “Besides,” he added, “I’ve heard Avery Scott’s had all kinds of plastic surgery. Her eyes, her lips, her tits. Trust me”—his gaze strayed to the cleavage bursting from Avery’s corset—“Ava’s breasts are all hers. And they’re magnificent. Just like the rest of her. She’s right. She’s the only brunette