A Proposal from the Italian Count by Lucy Gordon

Author:Lucy Gordon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE BEDSIDE PHONE RANG. Vittorio answered it and found himself talking to Tania, who sounded agitated.

‘Are you mad to have that woman in your room?’ Tania demanded.

‘I told you we were both staying here.’

‘But not in the same room. I just called the hotel to speak to her and they told me where she is. Have you no common sense?’

Vittorio ground his teeth and spoke quietly, hoping Jackie would hear little and understand less. ‘There was only one room available. We had no choice.’

‘Can you assure me you haven’t lost control?’

‘I’m not even tempted. She doesn’t like me, and our relationship is strictly business.’

‘So she hasn’t even tried to put her arms around you?’

Vittorio ground his teeth. ‘No,’ he said. ‘She hasn’t. Goodbye, Aunt.’

He slammed down the phone.

‘What’s she so upset about?’ Jackie demanded. ‘I could hear her yelling even over the phone.’

‘She’s shocked because we’re in the same room. She’s concerned for your virtue.’

‘Concerned for yours, you mean. Does she think I lured you into a double room because I have a scheme in mind?’

‘We both know that you didn’t want to share my room, disliking me as you do. I’ve reassured her that you don’t want me.’

‘But can she believe that any woman wouldn’t seize the chance to seduce you and perhaps become a countess?’

‘I guess not.’

Jackie began to chuckle. ‘I can’t believe this is happening. The idea of me acting the role of femme fatale is ludicrous.’

‘Don’t put yourself down,’ he told her. ‘You’ve got your attractions.’

‘Not the kind likely to appeal to a man who can have any woman he wants,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I’m a realist. How much did you tell your aunt about what happened?’

‘Nothing. She asked if you’d put your arms around me. I told her you hadn’t.’

‘Well, that’s true. It was you who put your arms around me.’

He stared. ‘Did I?’

‘Don’t worry. You didn’t know what you were doing. I came over to the bed because you were close to the edge and I was afraid you’d fall. You were flailing wildly about and suddenly you grabbed hold of me. I couldn’t get away.’

‘Didn’t you thump me hard enough?’

‘Damn! I never thought of thumping you. Stupid of me.’

‘Want to try now?’

‘No, I’ll save it and get some practice first. When I finally thump you—oh, boy, will you know you’ve been thumped!’

He grinned, but it soon faded.

‘So we just lay there all night? Did I do anything? Say anything?’

She was tempted to ask him about Elena, but she backed away from the thought. Some deep instinct told her that she would be better not knowing.

‘You muttered a load of nonsense,’ she told him cheerfully.

‘In other words typical me?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You didn’t have to. What about you? Did you talk to me?’

‘A little. You seemed so agitated that I told you it was all right.’

Suddenly he could hear exactly what she had said then. ‘It’s all right. I’m here.’ Again he felt the peaceful sensation that had overcome him earlier, as he’d lain in her arms.

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