Unyielding (Tortured Love Book 1) by Ravenna Tate Page A

for it.”
    Coming from him that meant a lot. “No, I haven’t.”
    “You should. I have a lot of contacts. You could work on campaigns freelance, the same as you do your design work.”
    Lynda was very surprised by his offer. “I’ll think about that.”
    “Good. In the meantime, I’d love to see some of your work.”
    “Sure. Do you want me to get my laptop?”
    He smiled indulgently. “Let’s finish our dinner first. It’s the one meal I like to linger over, and I try not to do any actual work during it.”
    Dessert was almost too much food for her, and then he took his time drinking coffee. Normally she didn’t drink it so late in the day, but she had one cup with him. Since he’d mentioned them trying out his tub earlier, she was hoping she’d have a reason to stay awake. Her earlier resolve never to let him touch her again rolled around in her mind as they watched the sun set over the city.
    She had been upset, and with good reason, but he had apologized for leaving her alone last night. And he seemed to be making an effort to be nice today, and to get to know her as a person. They didn’t really know each other, after all. This would take time and effort on both their parts. She had to meet him halfway if there was any chance of getting past why he’d married her in the first place.
    When they finally finished, he followed her to her suite and she opened her laptop to show him what she was working on. He pulled a chair over and sat very close to her. She was hyper-aware of his body heat, and kept picturing how he’d looked last night, hard, muscled, naked, and dripping with lust. Her traitorous body responded, sending wetness to her pussy and a sweet tingling sensation throughout her limbs.
    When she’d shown him everything she could think of, he gave her a thoughtful look. “What else do you like to do? I’m sure you don’t spend all your time working.”
    “Well, I go out with my friends.”
    “Make sure you invite them over. This is your home now. I don’t want you to think you’re a prisoner here.”
    She rolled her eyes. “If they ever speak to me again after that bridesmaid fiasco.”
    He looked confused. “What do you mean?”
    Didn’t he know? “My friends, including Natalie, my best friend, were all eliminated from the wedding party.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “André nixed them. He chose people from among your acquaintances. I thought you knew that?”
    “I did not. Are you telling me that you didn’t know your maid of honor, or any of the bridesmaids?”
    “Not really. Only in passing for a few of them. I assumed that was your decision.”
    A muscle in his jaw twitched, and his eyes filled with anger. “Did someone tell you it was?”
    “Well, yes. André gave me the distinct impression the wedding plans were your choices. And you know how he is, regardless. I couldn’t say ‘no’ to him. Everything moved so fast. I was pulled along in the wake. Even my dress was one he said you had chosen.”
    An expression nothing short of incredulity crossed his features. “ You didn’t choose it?”
    “Hell no! I wanted something off the rack I’d seen at a shop downtown, but André said I had to wear a dress designed specifically for me, and one that the reporters would recognize.”
    He looked really agitated, and Lynda bit back a smile. André was in big trouble, and she didn’t feel the least bit guilty about it. The man had been an insufferable tyrant.
    “Lynda, would you excuse me for a moment? I have to make a couple of quick calls before it gets too late, but…” He gave her a meaningful look that left no doubt where his thoughts had just wandered. “We’re going to take a long soak in my tub as soon as I’ve finished. It’s been a day of adjustment for both of us, and I know I need some relaxation.”
    She let out a long sigh. “I would love that.” Yeah. Earlier resolve completely gone. She and her husband were going to fuck again.
    “Good. I’ll meet you in