Wicked Garden Read Free

build a decent reputation—”
    “I know.” He cupped her chin, urging her to look at him. “I’d never do anything to jeopardize your reputation. Doesn’t change the fact I want you. Damn, do I want you, Eden. In every way imaginable.”
    Her insides seemed to liquefy, sending a hot trickle of excitement between her legs. “Me too. But I don’t want anyone to think I slept with you in order to assure Feather Light won’t recommend closing the center to the city council.”
    Billy froze. Then he spun on his dress shoe and crossed the concrete floor halfway before pacing back. “No offense, but nothing you could do with that luscious mouth or your incredible body would affect the outcome of this survey.”
    “But?”
    “But when we’re alone can we put the business aside?”
    Here was her chance to close that chapter of her life. Might be reckless, but she deserved Billy Buchanan’s undivided sexual attention, if only temporarily. “How long will you be in town?”
    “A week.” He watched her smooth her hair, straighten her skirt and adjust her blouse. “You busy after work tonight?”
    “Yes.”
    “How about tomorrow night?”
    “No,” she admitted.
    He gave her a wolfish smile. “You are now.”

    Later that afternoon Billy stretched out on the tan buffalo skin sofa in Jim White Feather’s office.
    He scanned the bold color scheme of Jim’s extensive collection of Native American art, artifacts and photographs. The room whispered power, but exuded warmth.
    A row of pictures lined a rustic pine bookshelf. Jim and his wife Cindy had taken the “go forth and multiply” suggestion quite literally.
    Jim set the phone down. “What are you grinnin’ at?”
    “The White Feather bunch.” Billy faced him, surprised by the gray streaks in Jim’s long black braid. “Is eight really enough to fill your house with love?”
    “ Shee . Eight is plenty, especially with one in high school and one in diapers. Our life is never dull. Which brings me to the question of the day: how did your meeting go with the always entertaining Eden LaCroix?”
    “You might’ve warned me she’s adamantly opposed to building a new community center.”
    “Gave you a rough time, did she?”
    An image of Eden’s mouth, ripe from his forceful kisses flitted through Billy’s mind. “Ah, no more than I deserved.”
    “Our Eden certainly is a firecracker.”
    “ Our Eden?” he repeated.
    “Eden is tanka , practically my little sister. She and Cindy and Jon have palled around for years.”
    “Then why didn’t you handle this project?”
    “For that very reason. Look, I wasn’t thrilled when Bob took this assignment. In fact, I told him I wanted nothin’ to do with it because I agree with Eden’s position the community center needs to remain in its present location. That’s why I brought you in on Bob’s suggestion, for an unbiased assessment.”
    Billy realized this was his chance to tell Jim he wasn’t exactly impartial where Eden was concerned. But the damning words stuck in his throat. “Don’t you think your opinion might affect the outcome of my recommendation?”
    “I hope so.” Jim shifted his enormous frame back over the desk. “Bob has absolute confidence in your ability to make the best financial decision for the client.”
    “You don’t?”
    “Like you said, I’m biased. The bottom line is different in this case. Eden is the best thing that’s happened to the community center since Grace Fitzgerald left. So far the city hasn’t offered her the executive position if the center relocates. She’ll probably hafta leave town to find a similar payin’ position. I don’t want that on my conscience.”
    “So you’re putting it on mine.”
    “That’s why I agreed to hire you on a temporary basis. You’ve got nothin’ at stake.”
    Wrong. Billy stood, pacing to the windows where pine-covered hills stretched in a sea of greenish-black.
    His life had been in chaos since he’d finished his last