Don't Tempt Me Read Free

“Haven’t you better things to do with your time?”
    John would have no part of her diversionary nonchalance. “He’s called ‘the Silver Fox.’ Did you know that?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact,” she scoffed through thinned and suddenly dry lips, “I didn’t.”
    He nodded smugly, enjoying her discomfort. “That’s right. ‘The Silver Fox.’ And do you know why they call him that?”
    â€œNo, John,” she sighed loudly, exaggerating the echo, “why do they call him that?”
    â€œBecause he’s sly. A predator. He stalks little things like you and gobbles them up.”
    The image of herself feeling hopelessly trapped by Sloane’s magnetic appeal flitted about her brain. Purposefully she cast it aside. “Aren’t you getting carried away with the dramatic? If he’s called ‘the Silver Fox,’ it may be nothing more than a reference to his hair.”
    â€œStriking, wasn’t it?”
    â€œYes. In truth it was. It’s good to know that one man, at least, has managed to avoid the Grecian Formula habit!”
    John patted his own dark hair gingerly. “Now, now, Justine, that’s hitting below the belt. People in glass houses—”
    â€œJohn! That’s enough!” She couldn’t begin to count the number of times she’d been accused of coloring her hair. But its strawberry-blond shade was rich and natural, a
legacy from the father she hadn’t seen in over twenty years. Thought of him made her momentarily testy. “What is the point of this whole conversation?”
    John’s eyes flickered mischievously. “Just trying to tell you about the man you may be involved with.”
    â€œI won’t be involved with Sloane Harper!” she countered, again too vehemently, her temper beginning to fray. “He’s a corporate client of the firm. From what you yourself say, he needs neither a divorce attorney nor a family law specialist. If I hadn’t returned to the office at that particular moment, I wouldn’t even have met him.” The thought brought with it a gamut of emotional twinges, not the least of which was an eerie sense of premonition.
    â€œBut aren’t you glad you did?” John drawled slowly, recognizing the very tiny bud deep within that she struggled to ignore. “And, looking as gorgeous as you do …”
    â€œJohn, I had a speaking engagement today. Of course I’d be more dressed up than usual.” Her tone was one of exasperation, yet as she looked down at her lightweight wool dress, a gentle blue plaid with a mandarin collar and pleats down the front and back tucked in at her slim waist by an apricot tie that blended miraculously with her coloring, she was grateful for the coincidence. John, of course, must never know that! “You’re really off base with this one,” she murmured defensively.
    Silence hung strangely heavy in the air as he studied her. “Am I?” he asked slowly, then straightened and stood. Justine had been momentarily shaken by his pensiveness. As he stepped toward the door, she released her breath, only to catch it on the rebound. John’s posture grew simultaneously alert. Halting in his progress, he stood stock-still. There, beyond his dark frame, was Sloane, filling the doorway with his presence.
    â€œExcuse me,” he spoke softly. “Am I interrupting anything?” His dark eyes swung from Justine to John, studying
the latter for an instant of sizing-up before returning to her. His words suggested a legal conference; the faint twist at the corners of his lips suggested something entirely different.
    â€œNo, no, Mr. Harper,” John spoke smoothly, extending his hand in introduction. “I’m John Doucette, also of the firm. Justine and I are finished.”
    The finality of his declaration held far deeper meaning for the two lawyers and would, in future days, come