Intimate Kiss (Bend To My Will #3) Read Free Page A

life, and within several blocks he was breathing hard. It was a day for a challenging run, not a light jog.
    The path through Central Park was populated with walkers, joggers, and sightseers. Jacob stayed near the edge of the grass, not slowing his pace until he was ready to turn and go back. While catching his breath, he looked at the vibrant green of the trees around him.
    All year round, when the weather allowed, Jacob found the park a welcome respite from urban life. But in springtime, it really sparkled. By mid-March, flowers poked up between the leaves and tree roots, and not long after, the area erupted in a fragrant display of flowering pastels. By mid-April, the landscape was painted with cherry blossoms and magnolia flowers, signaling springtime.
    Jacob had jogged to Lilac Walk, one of the lesser-known pathways in the park. It was filled with purple, pink, and white lilac blossoms, the intense fragrance intoxicating. The scent enveloped Jacob, reminding him of Vivienne, and the first time she’d walked past him at the party.
    It seemed like such a long time before Jacob would see her again, the days feeling more like months. And it was his fault. But with the playroom out of reach until late in the week, Jacob needed to get his mind off Vivienne and back on business. It wasn’t smart to let his sexual urges distract him.
    On the way back, Jacob grabbed an iced coffee at a place he frequented. The establishment was in a brick building with a nice view of the park. He’d eat later, after showering, but the caffeine provided an energy boost.
    Standing at the edge of the patio, sipping his coffee, Jacob spotted a guy he knew. But he wasn’t too keen on striking up a conversation. Daniel Kenyon was the general manager at Williamson Imports. As far as Jacob could tell, he had no fondness for Rinaldi Imports, even though they were in the same business.
    Glancing his way, Jacob noticed that his competitor was already dressed for work. His short, dark hair, thick eyebrows, and facial scruff gave him a rough look. He could have been a handsome fellow, but his lips were overly large for his face. Although dressed in a suit, Daniel didn’t exude class. Jacob had the sense that he was trying to measure up, always trying to best the other guy, which grew irritating.
    Daniel noticed him and, without a smile, held up his hand in greeting. He walked over, yet he might not have. Daniel Kenyon didn’t have much concern for politeness unless he was wooing a new account. “Jacob,” he said, with no friendliness in his tone.
    “Hi, Dan. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
    After looking Jacob over, disdain evident in his expression, Dan said, “I’m meeting someone.”
    Sweaty and still jet-lagged, Jacob was in no mood to get into it with the guy. Daniel’s sharp gaze and angry countenance did not encourage friendly discourse. Although Jacob didn’t know him well, he had heard the guy had issues. He was a college dropout, which wouldn’t have mattered, but he had been in some kind of trouble.
    Jacob hadn’t been interested enough to learn the details, and wasn’t one to gossip. But he couldn’t avoid hearing the rumor that Daniel’s family had disowned him after some scandal. The guy struck him as untrustworthy, and he gave the impression of trying to prove something.
    Looking away from Daniel’s cold blue eyes, Jacob took another sip of his coffee. “Hope your meeting goes well,” he said, and started walking away. “I have to get back and get showered up.” Without further acknowledgement, Dan went into the coffee shop, so Jacob headed home.
    *****
    From his office on the thirtieth floor, Jacob had a view of Park Avenue, but he rarely had the opportunity to gaze out the window. The office design was upscale and modern. He’d had it designed to look comfortable as opposed to stark.
    The entry had wood flooring, and the main room was done in light gray tile. Jacob’s desk was teak, and the wall behind it