Read All Things Pretty for Free Online

off toward the exit that leads to the parking garage. For
just a few seconds before I continue on through the lobby to the
front doors, I let myself take in his tall form, his lean physique,
his cocky swagger. He’s downright sinful to look at.
    When I finally reach the exit, the doorman
is waiting to assist me. “Ms. Lawrence. Will you be needing a car
today?”
    “No, thank you, Gerald.”
    The older man bows his graying head, his
faded hazel eyes crinkling kindly at the corners. Although I’m sure
he has an inkling what Lance does for a living, he’s never given me
the impression that he looks down on me or thinks I’m actually involved . Not like so many others do. They try to hide it,
of course, but it’s fairly obvious that they think I’m no better
than Lance is. And in some ways I’m not, but it still rankles that
they put me in the same category when they don’t really know the
first thing about me. Few people do. And even fewer still know the
truth.
    “Gonna be a scorcher today.”
    I turn my face up to the sky as I walk out
the door he holds open for me. The blue expanse boasts not a single
cloud, just a blaring yellow sun. “Looks like you might be
right.”
    Focusing on the hot, humid breeze brushing
my cheeks and tossing my up-do, I wait for my driver. My prison
guard. My possible downfall.
    I hear the expensive hum of an engine pull
up to the curb and I open my eyes to Sig dragging his big body from
behind the wheel of my Maserati and coming around the hood to open
the back door for me. I don’t argue. I just bide my time until we
are alone.
    “Thank you,” I say politely, ducking inside
the cool interior. I don’t glance at Sig as he closes the door and
I try not to follow his every move with my eyes. But it’s hard.
It’s really, really hard. Something about him draws me. It
just does.
    When he slides in behind the wheel, he finds
me in the rearview mirror and asks, “Where to?”
    I give him the address of a semi-luxurious
condo building I know of that happens to have a dark, swanky
internet bar behind the lobby. Without asking questions, he pulls
away from the curb and takes a right at the red light.
    I flick my fingernail against the strap of
my purse as I wait for Sig to say something. When he doesn’t, I
make the first move. “So, you didn’t tell me that you knew
Lance.”
    “You didn’t tell me that you knew
Lance.”
    Fair enough.
    “I, uh, I assume you didn’t, um, tell him
about…about…”
    Sig’s amused eyes meet mine in the mirror
again. “About rescuing you on the highway? Or about wanting to kiss
his girlfriend before I knew who she was?”
    My breath rushes out in a huff. I knew there
was an attraction between us. I’m not blind. Or stupid. But to hear
him say it…it brings to mind a crystal clear fantasy of Sig taking
me into those big strong arms and devouring me with that sexy
mouth. Holy lord! It’s enough to make me squirm.
    “Th-the highway, yes.”
    I hear Sig’s soft, rumbling laugh. “Yeah,
that’s what I thought. The answer is no. I didn’t tell him about
finding you on the highway. Or wishing that you were single.”
    His eyes rove my flushed face through the
mirror. The sad thing is, they’re no less potent this way–through
glass, with distance between us. In fact, him watching me like this
is a little bit naughty somehow. It’s like being spied on or
something. It makes me feel…steamy.
    I clamp my teeth down on my bottom lip and
look away. This is like playing with fire. I knew Sig would be a
problem from the moment I met him, but I didn’t give it much
thought because I never imagined that I’d see him again. I was
relieved (in some ways) that I wouldn’t have to worry about it. But
now…now, he’s here. In my life. Even more the forbidden fruit than
he was before. And even more tempting, if that’s possible.
    “So, where are you really going?” he asks,
my eyes flying back to his.
    After my initial shock, I quickly school