Page 54 of Recipe for Temptation

“What other story?” Sterling asked.

Everyone looked inquiringly at Michael, whose expression had gone carefully blank.

“Oh, come on, Michael,” Reese prompted in a deceptively puzzled voice, as if she couldn’t understand why he was playing dumb. “You know the story I’m talking about. Remember? The one Quentin said would offend my feminine sensibilities?”

Celeste gasped. “Michael Sterling Wolf,” she scolded, as only a scandalized mother could.

As Michael ducked his head, laughter erupted around the table.

From beneath the thick veil of his lashes, he gave Reese a look that promised retribution. She responded with a huge, triumphant grin.

She’d already learned that when it came to besting this man, she’d take whatever victories she could get. Because she knew they’d be few and far between.

After breakfast, Asha came up alongside Reese as they were leaving the dining room. “Samara and I are treating ourselves to an afternoon of shopping. If you don’t have any plans today, perhaps you’d like to join us.”

Reese beamed at her. “I’d like that very much,” she said, excited at the prospect of going shopping with the famous fashion mogul. Being able to try on clothes and get feedback from Asha Dubois was something any woman would kill for.

“Samara tells me you’re staying near them in Buckhead,” Asha said, stopping and turning to face Reese.

“That’s right. I’m housesitting for a friend.”

“Perfect. Samara and I brought our things over last night, so after we get ready, we’ll swing by your place to let you change clothes before we head over to the mall.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Reese agreed, secretly wondering if anyone ever argued with this confident, take-charge woman. Anyone other than Sterling Wolf, that is.

Asha suddenly hesitated, adding as an afterthought, “Oh, but maybe you’d better check with Michael first.”

Reese bristled, her smile fading. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Are you sure? Perhaps he was hoping to spend the day with you.”

Heat flooded Reese’s cheeks. Stiffly she said, “We’re not together, Ms. Dubois.”

“No?” Asha assessed her, a calculating glint in her eyes that made Reese want to squirm.

“We just met,” she elaborated, feeling the need to explain herself. “We’re going to be working together on his show. And I’m, uh, sort of in a relationship.”

“Sort of?”

“We’re, um, on a break. But still technically together.” Reese swallowed uncomfortably. “The point is, Michael and I aren’t involved.”

“Hmm.” Asha’s gaze traveled past her. “You might want to tell him that.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Reese saw Michael standing nearby with Marcus and Samara. He was chatting with the couple, but his gaze was on Reese. The hot, possessive gleam in his eyes couldn’t have been more potent if he’d run his hands all over her body.

She shivered, heat pulsing through her veins. She dragged her gaze away in time to see Asha’s lips curving in a soft, intuitive smile.

“He’s been watching you like that since yesterday. I could be wrong, darling, but any man who looks at a woman that way has no intention of surrendering without a fight.”

Reese’s stomach flip-flopped. Michael’s dangerously seductive promise drifted through her mind, taunting her. It’s only a matter of time before I’ll have you for the main course.

She swallowed hard. “We’re not involved,” she repeated, sounding as if she were trying to convince herself more than Asha.

The knowing twinkle in Asha’s eyes told her she wasn’t buying it, anyway. But thankfully, she made no further comment.

Slipping her arm through Reese’s, she began ushering her down the hallway. “Let’s get going. I have some designs in mind that will be very flattering on you.”

Reese grinned meekly. “Yes, ma’am.”

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