Seduction by the Book Read Free

himself. It was bad enough that the storm had ruined his plans for the day—this day of all days. The thought of being helpless to assist the research team during the storm also made him remember too clearly another time when he had not been able to help.
    Absently rubbing his temple, he felt the familiar ache of memories.
    But the worst thing about this storm was knowing he had to spend the rest of the day…and night…alone with Annie. Damn the storm. And damn her.
    She got under his skin and he didn’t like it one bit. He was a one-woman man and his woman had been violently taken from him. Other women, no matter how inviting, were distractions he just didn’t need.
    He needed to remain frozen and apart. Distance let him maintain his emotional balance. Cold hearts didn’t feel guilt. Being numb meant keeping the pain at bay.
    Nick had spent two long years keeping his distancefrom life, and damned if Annie didn’t bring that tempting heat right onto the island with her. Heat and wanting.
    Hell, he just hated these emotions. But he knew his mother would have a fit if he fired Annie. She thought Annie was good for him. Another few weeks of Annie’s perky helpfulness, however, and he might just explode.
    His only hope tonight was if he could talk Annie into remaining in her room at the back of the house while he spent the long hours of the storm by himself in his office. He was already restless but it had nothing to do with the coming storm.
    The anniversary of Christina’s death made him feel unsettled and uneasy. He wanted to be left alone so he could bring back the sharp pain of missing her.
    That pain brought her memory into clear focus and reminded him of all his vows and promises. All the promises he had never been able to keep while his wife was alive. He needed those memories to stay focused now.
    â€œBut she’ll be okay, won’t she? Sultana is healthy, you said.” Annie withdrew her hand but took a step closer.
    Her voice brought him back to the moment with a thud. Nodding, he backed up a step to keep from touching the vibrant personal trainer.
    Lately, every time Annie touched him, he burned—and he was surprised by his growing attraction to her. He didn’t want any part of the lustful urges.
    Nick had tried desperately to keep his distance from Annie over the past few weeks, and had worked hard to manage his exercises by his own strength. But she was a personal trainer, and had kept her watchful eyes and sensual hands on his body as he exercised in his home gym.
    He groaned silently at the very thought. His unruly desire for her was getting so bad, he had actually considered risking his mother’s wrath by hiring someone else in her place.
    Though Annie was strictly his employee, on his mother’s frequent visits, the two women had become friends. Coconspirators against him, he supposed.
    It was bad enough that his father was furious with him for quitting the business to come live on the island and devote himself to Christina’s project. Nick didn’t want to risk losing his mother’s support, too.
    Family was all important. But as much as he loved his mother, she was a meddler.
    Since his wife’s death two years ago, his mind was often distracted. That was only one of the several reasons he’d left his home in Alsaca and given up everything he’d ever worked to achieve. He’d come to honor Christina’s memory and wishes in the very place where she had died.
    But his mother was unduly worried about his isolation and absentmindedness. And he knew she thought Annie could bring him back to the world of the living.
    In his opinion, Annie was entirely too alive.
    â€œPlease come with me, Nick,” Annie said as she looked up at him with those spectacular emerald eyes, flashing in both vivid color and obvious heat.
    He had never seen a woman with such vibrance and fire. It fascinated him how different from Christina she was. Of