Falling For His Proper Mistress by Tessa Radley Page B

given in to the reckless temptation to stay in his bed all night long. For sure she would’ve slept better in his arms than she had alone. She’d missed him from the moment she’d left.
    Avery had a sinking feeling that she was about to cave to his demands. She reminded herself she simply wasn’t the kind of woman who could sleep with a man without an emotional connection. And tried to convince herself that her hurt and anger at Guy had broken the emotional connection that had bound her to him.
    She could never do pleasure for pleasure’s sake.
    Yet she knew she lied to herself. Because Guy still drew her like a moth to flame. God. How could she feel something so self-destructive about a man who felt nothing for her?
    â€œâ€¦only to find that you’d gone.”
    His murmur was so low she barely heard it, but it was enough to make her stiffen her spine. He might not loveher, and she might feel a lot more for him than she wanted, but she couldn’t afford to forget that he only wanted her for sex—however much he wrapped it up in pretty words.
    â€œGuy, stop it! This is my career, it’s important to me.”
    She couldn’t afford to compromise her career, her own professionalism for a relationship that was headed nowhere. She had to make him understand that.
    â€œYes,” he said impatiently. “I accept that.”
    â€œGood.”
    But was this what she really wanted?
    There would be no more nights of illicit passion. It would all be over. She would be well on her way to getting him out of her system—out of her life. She would never be the butt of a host of insinuations about a little gold digger sleeping with the boss.
    It was all for the best.
    She had to stick to her guns…and not cave in to his demands or her desires. Those would only cause her harm—even though the hold Guy had on her heart would make it all too easy to assent.
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    By contrast their second presentation five days later was all business.
    Yet it belied the fact that Avery and Guy had fallen into a routine since the night she’d fallen asleep in his suite. Each day they would spend several hours going through recipes Guy wanted to add to the menus and seeking the perfect wine and beverage match. Avery also spent a couple of hours each day reviewing and training the restaurant and bar staff. In the evening, she and Guy would order in room service to Guy’s suite and analyze the day’s progress. There was a delicious domesticity about their relationship, and Avery stored up every memory.
    After their speech, a trio of foodies came up to talk to Guy,and Louis, the French chef from Chagall’s, told Avery that they’d done a great job. Then Trevor and Gavin were both there adding to the crowd.
    Trevor took her hand and shook it. “Good job. You had me wanting to visit some of those California vineyards you mentioned.”
    â€œThanks,” she smiled at him when he dropped her hand. “Start with El Dorado, it’s a winery I know very well—I grew up there.”
    Erica arrived with Christian, and the talk quickly turned to the December wedding they were planning.
    â€œI thought we could serve champagne cocktails to the guests as they arrive. What do you think, Avery?” Erica asked.
    â€œYou could add a hint of cassis.”
    â€œChristian suggested I talk to you, Trevor, about where to hold the service since you live here.”
    â€œHey, I’m a freewheeling bachelor. What do I know about weddings?”
    Everyone laughed at the expression of mock horror on Trevor’s face.
    â€œBut as president of marketing you’re the perfect person to ask,” Erica retorted. “Besides, apart from Christian, you’re the only one who actually lives in Aspen.”
    Trevor spread his hands. “Of course I’ll help. Hmm, your wedding will be in December, why don’t you have Blake and Guy dress up as twin Santas?” Trevor