The Seduction Game Read Free Page A

things. Trust, respect, and communication. Phase Three was fun. I placed two fake internet ads. In the first I pretended to be a vivacious blonde looking for a good time and in the second I pretended I was a successful entrepreneur looking for Mr. Right. Within the first week, the successful woman received more responses.”
    “Okay, so why Phase Four?”
    Kate’s gaze wavered for a moment. “To implement the results in a real live experiment and give credibility to all the research I’ve amassed.”
    “What if this guy turns out to be the man you’ve waited for all your life and you lose him once he finds out what’s going on. And you can wipe that look from your face. The world may see you as a veritable pillar of strength, but I know better. At heart you’re still that little girl who thinks her prince charming is going to sweep her off her feet.”
    “I already met my Prince Charming and he turned out to be a toad, remember?” Barbara’s face filled with sympathy. Kate didn’t want anyone’s pity. She’d survived her heartbreak. “Right now the only fairy tale I’m interested in is how I’m going to look convincing as Katrina, the bad girl . That’s why I need your help. When the time is right, I’ll need you to help me look…er…sexy.”
    Barbara’s expression darkened. “It would serve you right if you do fall in love with him.”
    “Have you been listening to me at all? I’m only going to see him twice. That’s not enough time to fall in love. Besides getting involved with a patient is morally wrong, and I would never compromise my professional code of conduct.”
    Barbara frowned. “Maybe Mom and Gail are right. Maybe you should start worrying less about other people’s love lives and start concentrating more on yours.”
    “I’m single by choice and it has nothing to do with Simon. I have everything I need. My home, my practice, my writing.”
    “What will you do if he recognizes you?”
    “He won’t. I only had my picture on my first book jacket, and that was five years ago.” She glanced at her watch. It was getting late. “Barbara, please, just stop worrying. I know what I’m doing, how I’m going to do it, and when to stop. And I can guarantee you I won’t be seducing anyone tonight. I’m sorry, but I have to get ready. I’m meeting him at seven.”
    Barbara rose, grabbing her purse. “Okay. Just don’t do anything stupid.”
    * * * *
    An hour later Kate parked her car a couple of blocks from the restaurant and exhaled a nervous breath as she slammed her door. With a shaky hand she touched the loose bun at the back of her head and adjusted her glasses perched on her nose. God, she welcomed the short walk. Fresh air was just what she needed. She flicked a glance at her appearance in a store window and eyed her newly purchased floral print summer dress with satisfaction. It was pretty, the kind a school teacher would wear.
    She drew in a sharp breath as a few drops of rain spattered her arms. It had been raining on and off the past couple of hours. The streets were wet, the city gutters brimming with a steady stream of water. She shielded her glasses with her hand as she ran to the curb to cross the street, praying it wouldn’t pour till she was inside.
    Just as she was about to dash across the street, a sleek, black Jaguar glided in front of her and parked, splashing her dress in the process. Mortified, Kate glanced down at the damage. How was she going to meet Adam Tyler looking like this?
    She was ready to voice her indignation the moment the driver slammed his door, but the instant he turned to face her, she felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared up at the most piercing stare she had ever encountered. He stood very tall and eyed her with irritation.
    “There are easier ways of trying to kill yourself, ma’am,” he said, his voice deep.
    Kate stiffened, then frowned. “Look what you did to my dress.”
    “Your dress?” He barely flicked a glance to the