Maxine Sullivan - High-Society Seduction (Harlequin Desire)

A nd this is Jenna Branson. Shes one of our up-and-coming jewelry designers.

Jenna heard her bosss words, thankful that at least shed had time to recover from her shock. Having Adam Roth walk into the Conti corporate box at Australias Flemington Racecourse a few minutes ago had stunned her.

Oh, God! shed thought. Here was the middle son of Laura and Michael Roth, iconic owners of Roths, the luxury-goods department stores. His family was Australias aristocracy. The crme de la crme of Australian society. Shed never wanted to meet any one of them. Not after what Liam Roth had done to her brother.

She watched in silent horror now as this Roth family member lowered his tall, lean body onto the chair opposite. His gaze came straight at her across the table, homing in like she was the only person in the room. She hid a small gasp as his pair of blue eyes trapped hers for a heart-stopping moment in time.

Its a pleasure to meet you, Jenna, he murmured, his gaze taking in her lustrous, shoulder-length brown hair, then the details of her face, before sliding down to the soft floral dress she knew looked good on her. For the first time ever, she actually wished she didnt look quite so feminine.

Jenna tried to smile, but she wasnt sure if she managed it. Yes, you, too, she somehow said, hoping she sounded sincere but almost choking on the words. Why, oh, why had she given in to pressure and come here today? If only her boss, Roberto, and his charming wife, Carmen, hadnt been so insistent. She would have much preferred to spend her Saturday relaxing in her apartment.

Have you backed any winners yet? Adam asked in a smooth voice that was as cultured as it was deep.

She tried to settle her heart back in place. Not so far.

He smiled the confident smile of a man who knew women. Then perhaps your luck will change.

If he thought he was going to change her luck, he was in for a surprise. Perhaps.

Just then her bosss son returned to the table and sat down next to her, almost making her shudder, giving her something else to worry about. Marco had been asking her out for months. Now he thought hed worn her down. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You didnt bring a date? he said to Adam, after a short greeting.

No. Not this time.

Thats not like you, amico mio, he joked, but he slid his arm along the back of Jennas chair as if silently staking a claim.

A note of awareness docked in Adams eyes, sending an odd ripple of apprehension shooting down her spine. She didnt want either man thinking she was here with Marco. Nor did she want either one thinking she was available for some sort of dalliance.

Unfortunately, as the afternoon wore on, she was fully aware of Adam surreptitiously watching her every movement. She tried her damnedest not to react, but his interest was a living thing. It made her uneasy, though not in a sleazy way like with her bosss son. Adam Roth was a playboy. A sophisticated master playboy, despite being a widower whose wife had died in a car accident over four years ago. She had no doubt he knew all the right moves.

One thing saved her. Her brother. Remembering what Stewart had been through gave her the advantage. She knew what this mans family was capable of, and that helped put up an invisible barrier to deflect any attempt at intimacy.

By the time theyd finished eating a late lunch, she was more than ready to make an escape to the powder room. Thankfully, Marco was involved in watching the next race with another woman and her generous cleavage. So while everyone was occupied Jenna grabbed her purse to slip out of the room, her heartbeat stuttering when she saw Adam notice her leaving.

Once in the corridor she hurried along the plush carpet to find the ladies room. She had a feeling he would follow. That he was about to ask her out. She didnt want that, she decided as she found what she was looking for just ahead. She reached for the door handlestarted to open it

Jenna.

She stilled, tempted to ignore him and go inside the room but suspected he would merely wait for her to come out. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her hand and turned around to face him.