Soliman, Wendy - The Name of the Game (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read Online Free

was so convincing. I really did think he meant what he said.”
    “Of course you did. I’d be the first person to agree that he’s hunk material of the first order, and I could see exactly why you fell for him. He’s charming, sexy as hell, exudes power and authority, and all the other damned things that make him so attractive. But, honey, men in his position, married to their work, won’t ever leave the little woman. It’s too distracting, too expensive, too…well, too everything.”
    “It was easier for him just to keep me as a bit on the side.”
    “Yep, and get you working all the hours God sent to get his bloody office organized for him.”
    Ashley summoned up the ghost of a smile. “I wish I could think of a reason to say you’re wrong.” She sighed. “I feel like such a fool.”
    “Yeah well, put it down to experience and move on.”
    Ashley looked at her as though she’d spouted a second head. “Just like that?”
    “Don’t let him see that he’s got to you. That’s the only weapon you have left.”
    “I suppose.” Ashley plucked sullenly at the arm of the settee. “Where’s Callie?”
    “At her friend Kitty’s birthday party. Kitty’s mum’ll bring her back later.”
    “Ah yes, I remember her being excited about it.” Ashley sighed, fought down fresh tears, and swallowed a large gulp of her drink. “Sandy, what am I going to do now?”
    “It’s a bit of a bummer, isn’t it?” Sandy looked thoughtful. “You know what I’ve always thought of him, even if I could still see why you fell for him. Those rugged good looks and smouldering eyes.” She sighed dramatically. “When he turned on that disgustingly compelling charm, you didn’t stand an earthly. Working so closely together for so long, and with his wife safely down in Southampton, he was bound to make a move on you sooner or later.”
    “Well, he didn’t, not really.”
    “Bullshit! He played you like a Stradivarius. You’re a real babe, Ash. You’d been celibate for far too long when he came into the picture, and he would have picked up on that. I’ve tried to tell you before, you represent the sort of challenge a man like him can’t resist.” Sandy was a founder-member of the “all men are bastards” club, having been unceremoniously dumped by her live-in lover the moment she fell pregnant. His parting shot had been to clear out their joint bank account and leave her destitute. “You have a reputation at the office for keeping men at arm’s length, and he would have heard about it. It was always going to end like this,” she finished gently.
    “All that work, all the hours I put in to help with the amalgamation, thinking we’d be together at the end of it. All the hiding and deception I put up with, never questioning the need for it. How could I have been such a fool?”
    “You’re not the first to fall for such a line, darling, and certainly won’t be the last.”
    “I really believed him, Sandy.” Ashley dropped her head in her hands and sobbed. “I really thought he loved me.”
    “He probably did, in his way. He’s just not the monogamous type.”
    “I still can’t get my mind round the extent of his lies. He assured me he had no intention of moving Eve to Reigate when he relocates here himself, but it’s clear now that they’ve been house-hunting for ages.”
    Sandy grimaced. “Yeah, that must be a tough one to stomach.”
    “And, just think, I was so pathetically grateful ’cos he wanted to take me somewhere smart tonight. I really thought we were making progress. But all the time Eve was here in his flat.”
    “Are you sure? You said he wasn’t expecting her.”
    “Well, he did seem surprised, and she said her trip was impromptu, but I don’t believe anything that either of them said.”
    “Atagirl!” Sandy gave Ashley’s shoulders a squeeze. “So he would have wined and dined you, showered you with expensive presents, come back here to have his fun, and then gone home to the