Resisting Sin (Gold Diggers #1)

Episode 6 : Unmasked

Hayley.

Gabriel recalled her dress, the one that covered up her arms, legs, even her neck. Now that was a woman who wouldn't tempt him. He doubted if she could tempt anybody. Even if she wanted to.

"Hayley what?"

"Denton." Thank God he remembered her full name.

"Where is her family from? Do we know them?"

"I doubt it, mother."

"You don't seem to know much about her."

"I know enough." He rubbed his forehead. "Look, you can get to know her next time we're in Shanghai, all right?"

His mother sighed. "Very well. But I still want you to meet Astrid."

"Mother, I —"

"The way you're taking and discarding girlfriends these days, it won't hurt for you to meet a girl your father and I approve of. Who knows, you might even decide you like her better than Harry?"

He sighed. "Her name is Hayley. And as I've said, our relationship is —"

"Yes, yes." He could imagine his mother waving a hand dismissively. "If that were true, then meeting Astrid won't change anything. She's new to California and far away from her family. I'd very much like you to be friends."

He couldn't dispute his mother's logic. But then, she'd always been too clever for him. "I can do that. Of course."

"Em will give you Astrid's number. I'm off to bed, as it's very late. Next time, please do answer your phone."

Guilt nagged at him. Her mother had stayed up late just to speak to him. "I promise, mother."

As he was hanging up, he sensed someone behind him. "Good morning," he said, and turned to Suzy.

She was wearing his shirt from last night, and leaning against the breakfast bar. "Good morning," she said. "I was looking from my clothes." She looked even more beautiful than he remembered, from when she'd finally taken off her mask last night. Her long, straight brown hair flowed over her shoulders down over her chest, mussed only slightly to hint at her having gotten up from sleep. His shirt covered the upper half of her thighs, giving him a delicious eyeful of her long, slim legs.

She had dressed in his shirt for the sole purpose of seducing him, Gabriel knew. The way she arranged her hair, the way she smiled at him, her slightly sleepy gaze — everything she did was practiced, almost predictable. These were the things women did to entice men after a night of sex. To remind him of the intimacy they'd shared the night before, and what he could have if he wanted it.

Christ, he wanted it.

Even now, he felt his body grow tight and hot at the sight of Suzy. He wanted to push her up against the bar and wrap her sinfully delectable legs around him. He knew that if he did, she would welcome the hard invasion of his cock with the same loud, enthusiastic moans she did the night before.

She'd been at Imperia looking for a new boyfriend — a rich one — and it was clear she had decided he would do nicely. She didn't bother to hide the fact that she knew exactly who he was, and had a good idea of what he was worth. But she was also damned good in bed, as well as interesting to speak to. He had no doubt that if the two of them could agree to an arrangement, she would be worth the money he'd be expected to spend on her.

That was the problem.

He didn't want a woman who would happily fuck him every night, especially not one he wanted to fuck every night. It took him years to master his self control after that fateful night where his lust and other base urges lost him something he would never get back. Not only did he suffer a lost so keen it sent him down a well of depression, but it had hurt his family as well.