T is for Temptation by Jianne Carlo Page A

gritted his teeth. “The principal reason I went into partnership with Tony was because of the capital infusion he brought to the table. While the business has always been profitable, cash flow at the time he appeared on the scene was crucial. Not that it matters anymore. You should know, though, as soon as I can, I’m shutting down Trinidad . I can’t risk the bad press that’s bound to occur now.”
    “Ah, I was afraid of this. I’ve admired the way you’ve dealt with everything after Tony’s boat exploded. This may prove too intrusive, but I am particularly grateful for your gentle handling of my girl.”
    Jake didn’t believe in guilt, didn’t acknowledge the emotion even existed, not for him. It booby-trapped success. For the first time in months, he hesitated, as the unfamiliar emotion sent his stomach into a nosedive. The study door opened with a sharp thud, offering a small reprieve.
    Tricia Inglefield marched into the room, shoulders squared in disapproval, and her azure eyes ripped a shot of sheer scorn at him.
    “Jake,” she said and inclined a regal nod in his general direction.
    Her clipped, prune-in-the-mouth English accent irritated every inch of his skin, and he fought the urge to straighten his shirt collar.
    “Henry, our guests will be arriving in less than half an hour.”
    Blast, the woman could scold without raising her voice, and he wondered if she’d ever hugged her daughter, ever laughed with her, and how a man like Henry could live with such a cold, unfeeling female. It reinforced every conviction that the institution of marriage was a doomed one and not for him.
    “Jake, you’ll be joining us, of course, since Henry’s seen fit to invite you to stay at Greenbriar. I presume you’ll need to freshen up, and the affair is jacket and tie.”
    His hackles rose, and a reflexive belligerence set in, and Jake suggested in a rough, insolent drawl, “Perhaps Tee can show me the way to the cottage?”
    “Tallulah is quite busy assisting with the preparations. I’ll have a servant lead you there.”
    No one used such a politically incorrect word anymore, and he recognized Tricia’s hit with reluctant admiration, her clarification of his plebian social status as clear as an uncluttered tropical horizon and given as a warning.
    “Jake took Tee to Eight Bells to get your hibiscus holders, darling.”
    Henry’s mild reproach soothed Jake’s bruised ego a tad.
    “Thank you.” She twined her fingers together at her waist and met his gaze. “I understand you met three members of my crochet club.”
    Blast, his face warmed, and he had to staunch the inclination to squirm under her glowering stare. The three old biddies, Jake shuttered his eyes and clenched a fist. A wave of sympathy wracked through him as he contemplated Tricia confronting Tee about their passionate, public embrace.
    He lurched to his feet, eager to escape from the room.
    “Thanks for the drink, Henry. Tricia, if you’ll point me in the right direction, I’m positive I can locate the cottage on my own.”
    Her lips flattened, and she gave him terse instructions. Resisting the impulse to race out of the study, Jake mumbled a polite thank you and strolled away.
    Greenbriar proved to be a miniature of the Main House, a quaint replica of plantation splendor. A high king-sized mahogany bed dominated the master bedroom, and lascivious fantasies of Tee nude and glorious, lying on her back in the middle of it, got him to orgasmic spilling point in seconds.
    With only ten minutes to shower and change, the fantasies proved so erotic he almost jacked off in the shower. He resisted the temptation only by anticipating luring Tee back to the cottage after the blasted dinner.
    Shrugging on his jacket, Jake caught sight of handmade cards of all shapes and sizes crowded onto the bedside table. He picked one up and studied the wobbly crayon script.
    Cherry is the best horse ever , read the outside. Lopsided hearts decorated the inside, along