Read Seduction by Design for Free Online Page B

girl’s wounded tone that she had been unfairly using her as a scapegoat for her own bad temper. “I’m sorry, Charlene,” she said by way of conciliation. “If you’ll give me his number, I’ll call him myself. And I apologize for being so grouchy. It’s been a rough day.”
    “That’s okay. I think it’s the humidity.”
    In Hailey’s case, it wasn’t the humidity. It was a pair of gray eyes, flecked with ebony and fringed with spiky black lashes, that kept interfering with her work and souring her disposition. It was the vivid recollection of urgent lips demanding a response in the gentlest of ways. It was a hard, taut body pressed against hers, acquainting her with the male physique in a way that left her trembling.
    She hadn’t known many men, had certainly never been deeply involved with any. Now this man was storming his way into her life with plans to use her just as everyone else had. What was it about her that made people think they could take advantage? Was she too dependable? Too acquiescent? Or was cowardly a better word?
    All her life she had been used. By her parents to set a good example for Ellen. By Ellen to do her dirty work and get her out of trouble. By friends to whom she could never refuse a favor even at her own expense. She had learned the hard way that people are avaricious and grasping and that it was human nature to take advantage of one who was weak.
    But maturity, repeated disillusionment, and heartache had taught Hailey well. She had achieved independence and guarded it fiercely. She’d be no one’s doormat. Not Tyler Scott’s. Not anyone’s.
    Eight o’clock found her checking over the tally of guests who had walked through the turnstiles that day. At the sound of her name, she raised her head and looked through the plate-glass windows that enclosed her office to see Faith Scott charging around the fountain outside. The girl was out of breath, her broadly smiling face bathed with a film of healthy perspiration, when she came to an abrupt halt on the other side of the glass and cried, “Isn’t it great, Hailey?”
    Hailey slid the window open so they could hear each other without shouting. She was laughing at the sheer delight written all over Faith’s features. “Isn’t what great?”
    “Daddy told me you’re coming to dinner with us.”
    Indeed, Tyler looked quite pleased with himself as he sauntered around the pool of water surrounding the fountain. His coat was negligently hitched over his shoulder by an index finger. His long stride brought him quickly up to the window, where he casually draped his arm around Faith’s shoulders. “Hi,” he said.
    Hailey wanted to scream. His taunting grin was more irritating than his seductive promises had been. She was on the verge of telling him that she wasn’t at his beck and call when she happened to glance down into Faith’s expectant face. The harsh words died an instant death on her lips. Tyler was using the child for his own devious ends. But Faith was innocent, and Hailey didn’t want the girl’s disappointment to be on her conscience.
    “How are the bee stings?” she asked Faith, ignoring Tyler.
    “No sweat. Daddy got that stuff you told him to get at the drugstore and by this morning they didn’t hurt at all. You sure are smart.”
    “I’m just glad I outsmarted the bee.”
    Faith giggled. “Are you ready to go?”
    Hailey looked up at Tyler for the first time and smiled sweetly. She was satisfied to see that her congeniality surprised him. “I’ll be just a minute.”
    She went into her office to get her blazer and purse. On her way out, she issued last-minute instructions to Charlene, who would be responsible for the office until the park closed at ten o’clock. She left by a back door after checking her appearance in the lavatory mirror. She swore to herself that it didn’t matter what she looked like—she wasn’t trying to impress anyone, especially Tyler Scott.
    Faith was waiting eagerly. Tyler