Living with Temptation Read Online Free Page A

flush of heat spread
across his skin. How could he feel this way? Usually he kept any lustful
thoughts in check. He swallowed heavily, realizing that being around Chelsea
was affecting him more than he wanted.
    “I’ve found a few other places, and Ry – my ex-husband will
be moving back,” she admitted suddenly. Dean couldn’t tear his gaze away from
her as she openly stared at him, the vulnerability showing in her eyes. She
lowered her head and drew in a breath, wiping a hand across her face.
    “Sorry, it’s -”
    “A hard thing to move on from, I understand,” Dean said
softly.
    She looked up at him in shock, obviously taken back by his
sincerity. Her reaction surprised him. Chelsea was bringing out a part of him
he repressed. Dean had prepared himself for an overly excited woman. That was easy
to deal with, but not this. He couldn’t waste time comforting her, but he
didn’t like to see a woman cry – what man did?
    Whoever her ex-husband was, Dean instantly didn’t like him.
But who was he to judge? Perhaps Chelsea hurt him. He knew very well of how
deceitful women could be. But the feeling in his gut told him she wasn’t a
threat. A woman recovering from a broken marriage would have no intent of going
after his wealth, or his body.
    Which was exactly the reason why Dean chose her.
    Finally, things would work out for him. The Westley name
would gain its significance back, and the damage caused by his affair with
Desiree would be reverted. All he needed was her word.
    Chelsea exhaled loudly, her gaze lingering on him for a
moment until she turned away, shooting a glance towards Andrea.
    “If I accept this,” she began. “I need to know a few things.
Where do you live?”
    Dean held back a smile. He didn’t want to push her away by
appearing too willing to get her to accept. “I have a house in New York, and
one out at Spring Lake. Spring Lake is where I’m living right now and…”
    He hesitated. Originally he intended on offering her the
place at New York, but he didn’t realize how vulnerable Chelsea was. For a
woman like her, he wanted to let her enjoy herself, and the chaotic lifestyle
of New York wouldn’t help. Her sadness only confirmed his belief that relationships
were pointless since they ended in such a deep, unshakeable pain.
    Seeing the blank expression on her face pulled at something
within him. Dean forced it aside. Taking Chelsea to Spring Lake would make him
look better to the media, and that was what he needed.
    Noticing that her gentle eyes were fixated on him, Dean
lowered his head. Her eyes seemed to draw him in. Already he could feel himself
hardening, his thoughts vividly playing out the fantasy of bringing her face to
his, and tasting the softness of her lips.
    Dean shifted awkwardly, quickly changing his line of thought.
    “The Spring Lake house is available,” he decided. “It has a
view out towards the ocean -”
    “I can’t take it,” she interrupted sharply. “I work at
Newark. Spring Lake is fifty miles away.”
    Dean allowed himself to look into her eyes. This woman was a
challenge and quite unpredictable – he liked that. He needed someone to keep
himself and the media guessing. Who was Chelsea Levin? He had to find out.
Spring Lake was a perfect choice.
    “I’ll pay for gas, and any tolls,” he offered.
    Her eyes widened but Dean knew he had her tempted. Money was
an attraction for any woman, as he discovered over the past few years.
    “I can’t ask you to do that for me.”
    “Hey, it’s not like I need to worry about money.”
    A gentle smile crossed her face. Dean waited, observing her
expression as she bit at her bottom lip.
    “I don’t know if I’d be comfortable driving long distances
every day, not with how my knees are.”
    Dean glanced at her slim knees, picturing how soft her skin
would be if he traced his hands across them. Hell, how can I put up with her
if I’m going to feel this way? He gritted his teeth, knowing that time
would lessen