Page 25 of The Billionaire's Temptation

She disappeared through the door as Joseph stepped into the kitchen from the back door.

“Hi there!” Clarissa called and Joseph smiled at her as he walked to the utility sink to wash his hands.

“How is your afternoon tea party coming along?” he asked.

She grimaced. “It turned into an afternoon scotch party. The tea was only an excuse to gather everyone at the house.”

Joseph frowned as he finished rinsing his hands and turned off the water. “Are the others coming later?” Joseph inquired, drying his hands on a towel.

“I think Blaire mentioned her brother was coming by later with more friends.”

Joseph cringed. “Then this party is going to continue at least until dawn.” He tossed the towel over the side of the sink so that it could air dry. “Maybe you should call a halt now before things get out of hand.”

Clarissa’s mouth twisted. “Apparently, this was all set up just for me so that I could be introduced to the right people in Philly society.”

Joseph shook his head. “Blaire and Chad’s friends are not the kind you want to get to know, my dear.” He moved over to the island and sat down. “However, if you aren’t interested in participating, perhaps I could tempt you into a game of cards?”

Clarissa eyed the older man with amusement. “Think you can beat me?” She chuckled. “I think I could take you!” she teased right back.

The two of them negotiated the game, then Joseph dealt the cards.

Martha came back in with a groan. “They aren’t going to eat any of my food,” she grumbled. “Chad arrived with that disgusting friend of his, Harry.”

Martha looked over at Joseph, silently communicating something.

A loud cheer rose up from the great room. Clarissa looked around, startled. “What just happened?”

“I’m guessing that they decided to take the party outside to the pool. Since the sun is starting to set, things will get a bit…wild.”

Clarissa groaned, then picked up the card that Joseph just discarded. “Thank you!” she said with a pleased voice.

Joseph chuckled. “You think you’re going to win.” He picked up her discarded card and replaced it with one of his own. “However, you are playing against the master!”

Joseph won the first hand, but Clarissa proved her gumption by winning the second. They were well into the third game of “Gin” when a commotion at the front door distracted them. It was the chimes indicating that someone new had arrived. It only chimed when someone didn’t press the security button before opening the door.

So someone had pushed through the front door without permission!

Levi surveyed the great room, revulsion pouring off of him. “What the hell?” He took in the mess, then looked out through the large doors, noticing that the party guests were now in various stages of undress in the pool. Some were completely naked and everyone was laughing uproariously.

“They must have started early,” Hendrix replied, then glanced down at, “Betty”, the German Shepherd at his side. “You smell it already, don’t ya, girl?”

The dog whined again, shifting on her feet with impatience to get started.

The music was so loud, it was hard to speak over the noise, but there was only one couple in the room, writhing on the sofa. Naked.

However, it wasn’t the naked couple that was about to copulate that caught Levi’s attention. “That white powder?” Levi said, turning to Hendrix.

“I’m guessing it’s cocaine,” he replied, nodding silently. “Looks like Betty won’t be needed since they left the drugs out in the open.”

Levi’s fury increased. “I never would have thought Clarissa to be the kind of person who would be into drugs.”

Hendrix grunted. “I haven’t met the woman, but go easy on her. From what you’ve told me, she’s new to this world. Drugs are a temptation that some can’t resist.”

Levi knew that. However, he’d sensed that Clarissa was smarter than this. He’d thought she’d avoid the drug use and alcohol binges.

Looking out at the destruction of the sofas as well as the five, no seven, empty bottles of scotch scattered around on the previously beautiful wood coffee table, floor, and the one empty bottle that had been stuffed upside down between the cushions of the sofa, he had to adjust his idea of who Clarissa really was.

And he couldn’t deny the nearly painful levels of disappointment he felt. “I’ll see if I can find Martha to help us clean this up.” He noticed movement outside. “I guess everyone else, Clarissa included, is outside, skinny dipping.”

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