Kitabı oku: «Seduction by the Book», sayfa 2
Stephanie Bond
SEDUCTION BY THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Bond believes in the power of books to change a person’s life. Reading and writing have taken her on wonderful journeys, real and imagined, and brought her friendships of a lifetime. Stephanie lives in midtown Atlanta and has, in her words, “the best job in the world.”
Books by Stephanie Bond
HARLEQUIN BLAZE
2—TWO SEXY!
169—MY FAVORITE MISTAKE
282—JUST DARE ME…
338—SHE DID A BAD, BAD THING
428—WATCH AND LEARN
434—IN A BIND
440—NO PEEKING…
MIRA BOOKS
BODY MOVERS
BODY MOVERS: 2 BODIES FOR THE PRICE OF 1
BODY MOVERS: 3 MEN AND A BODY
4 BODIES AND A FUNERAL
5 BODIES TO DIE FOR
6 KILLER BODIES
For Brenda.
A thousand thanks.
Contents
Prologue
BETWEEN THE COVERS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
TURNING THE PAGE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
A NEW CHAPTER
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
SURPRISE ENDING
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Epilogue
Prologue
GABRIELLE POPE STARED AT the clock on the wall, willing the minute hand to tick just one more time. A bead of perspiration rolled between her shoulder blades. After ignoring her silent pleas all day to move faster, the clock was finally straining toward six o’clock. She leaned forward in her chair as the second hand swept around slowly…slowly…
The minute hand sprang to twelve without incident, but Gabrielle’s pulse skipped as wildly as if an alarm had sounded.
Time for book club.
She pushed back from her tiny desk at one of the oldest branches of the Atlanta Public Library and stood. As she guided the stiff chair under her desk, the warm flush climbing her neck belied her careful movements. Gabrielle leaned over to pick up her red book tote—the special tote that held the special books. Then, guarding a secret smile, she nodded to coworkers and patrons as she made her way through the maze of hallways.
The sprawling building had undergone several renovations and additions over the years, rendering some areas less desirable. Tucked behind an abandoned supply closet was a forgotten room that held six of the most plush, most comfortable chairs Gabrielle could find, situated around an elegant table with curving legs.
The room was rarely used. Employees and patrons complained the low lighting was unsuitable for reading, the dark corners and flaking plaster walls, depressing. But the Red Tote Book Club found the space atmospheric, and perfect for sipping tea or smuggled-in wine during their monthly get-togethers.
Gabrielle moved around the room, dusting lightly and straightening the chairs. At the sound of a rap on the door, she looked up and smiled as four members filed in, talking and laughing amongst themselves. They greeted Gabrielle, each turning a smile in her direction as they claimed a chair. The women were all in their early to mid-thirties, and from their appearances, each of them had come directly from their jobs.
Cassie Goodwin was an architect with shoulder-length hair the color of strong coffee, and intelligent blue eyes. Her smart chinos and long-sleeve button-up shirt were neat and modest, while her practical shoes were dusty, presumably from a job site. Cassie was friendly to everyone, but there was a wariness about her that hinted of past heartache.
Page Sharpe, a shy administrative assistant, might as well have been dressed in camouflage. She pushed a fat plait of auburn-colored hair over the shoulder of a drab dress that said, “Don’t look at me.” Her expression and emerald green eyes were demure, but Gabrielle had seen for herself the way Page lit up during their book discussions. She was a banked fire, that one.
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