Temptation’s Edge Read Free Page B

be away from him.” Dylan ducked her head, but Mischa could see her blush.
    “Oh, you’ve got it bad, hon,” she laughed. “But honestly, I’m used to living alone. And we’ll be together all the time to work on the wedding plans. You’ll be plenty sick of me by the end of the trip.”
    “I will not,” Dylan insisted. “I’m grateful you’re here. I need a right hand. I’ve never done this girly bridal stuff.”
    “Me neither. But we’ll figure it out.”
    “Thanks, Misch.”
    “No problem, chica.”
    Dinner arrived, a gorgeous array of sushi, spicy curries, noodles and rice, and Dylan went back to her seat, where she cuddled up with her groom-to-be. Mischa wondered for one brief moment if any guy would ever want to stick with her the way Alec did with Dylan—their mutual devotion was an almost palpable thing. But why was she even considering it? She’d always been fine on her own. Just like her admittedly eccentric mother had finally learned, she didn’t need a man to make a happy, full life. Her lifewas already full with running her business, her friends, her art, her writing. Men were a pleasant pastime, and one she didn’t want to do without. But anything more? No, that wasn’t for her. She’d learned that lesson early on through the absence of her own father. It had only been confirmed when Raine’s father had left when Evie was pregnant with her. He’d been around for Raine through the years, but Evie had been left alone again. And again and again, until she’d had an epiphany about the value of independence a few years ago. No, she was just fine on her own. More than fine. Hadn’t her success as a businesswoman proved that?
    “Gathering wool?” Connor asked, the deep timber of his voice breaking into her wandering thoughts.
    “Hmm, yes, I guess I was.”
    “What about?”
    She turned to look at him more fully. His face was serious. Too damn handsome. “Oh, I doubt you really want to know.”
    He shrugged again, reminding her of the breadth of his shoulders. He paused to eat a piece of sushi, chewing thoughtfully for several moments. “Maybe I do.”
    Good Lord, he did. Connor realized he wanted to know exactly what was going through that gorgeous head of hers. He wanted to know everything about her. And it had nothing to do with his usual thorough investigation of a woman he was going to play. He simply wanted to
know
.
    What the hell was wrong with him? He was as taken as a teenager with his first warm tit in his hand. And he didn’t even have his hands on her tits, although Lord knew he wanted to. Wanted to have her
under
his hands. Under his command. But Mischa was no quiet, passive, submissive girl. She was full of fire, this one. Which made the idea that much more tempting.
    He didn’t mind a little power struggle. Not as long as he came out on top. He always did, no question about it. But he had the sense that it’d be one hell of a struggle with this girl.
    The idea intrigued him. Fascinated him. Hell, he hadn’t been able to think of anything else since he’d first set eyes on her. With those lush curves, that fall of pale blonde hair, the way it kept falling over one eye like some old Hollywood siren. Full lips painted a wicked scarlet that was meant to imply sex. A woman as confident as she was, as cocky as any man, wouldn’t go down easily. But despite what she thought—and it was obvious she thought
she
was in control, through and through—he’d seen it in her. That unconscious response that signaled a spark of submissive desire. It may only be a small spark, but he was just the man to bring it out in her. It wasn’t simple ego talking. He was good at what he did in the BDSM arena. Or maybe it
was
some ego. Or just the power of his desire for this girl, which was frankly throwing him a bit. He wanted to sleep with her. Spank her. Feel her naked flesh under his hands. See what her body looked like beneath the tight-fitting black dress she wore. She looked like some