Melanie Milburne by Bedded & Wedded for Revenge

Author:Bedded & Wedded for Revenge [Bedded & Revenge, Wedded for]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-05-05T13:17:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

O NCE the removal company had collected Gemma’s things as arranged late the following morning she waited for Andreas to collect her for the ceremony.

She had dressed in a simple lightweight suit in a soft shade of pink, with a matching camisole top, and low-heeled sandals. She’d washed and dried her hair and carefully arranged it so it disguised her scar, applying just the right amount of make-up to make her feel a little less exposed.

Right on the dot of two-thirty Andreas arrived and, sweeping his dark gaze over her as she let him in, remarked, ‘You look very beautiful, Gemma.’

‘For a girl with a limp,’ she responded deprecatingly before she could stop herself.

He paused from closing the door to look down at her. ‘For your information, I hardly notice your limp. Personally, I have always considered outward beauty to be totally worthless unless it is backed up by inward grace.’

Gemma had no answer. She had hated the ugliness of her soul for so long and had tried so hard to change, but yesterday’s little show of uncontrollable temper had made her realise there was still more work to be done.

‘This is for you,’ he said, handing her a small package. ‘Happy birthday.’

Gemma stared at the neatly wrapped slim rectangle he’d placed in her hands. She had not expected anyone to give her anything, and certainly not Andreas. It had been many years since she had celebrated her birthday; mostly she tried to ignore the date as it came around each year, unwilling to acknowledge the painful memories it evoked.

‘Go on, open it,’ he said.

Gemma untied the little ribbon and picked at the sellotape ineffectually with her short fingernails, her hands not as steady as she wanted them to be.

‘Do you need some help, mia piccola?’

She glanced up at him, surprised yet again at how dark and warm his eyes were as they connected with hers. ‘I—I think I can manage…I need to grow my nails…’

He took one of her hands and inspected the ragged edges, the warmth of his fingers around hers stirring her deep and low in her belly.

‘You have beautiful hands, Gemma, but you are punishing them.’ His thumb gently caressed the torn edge of one of her cuticles. ‘You should not hate yourself so much.’

Gemma could barely breathe as he held her gaze. Her chest felt as if it were being slowly filled up with an inflatable substance, leaving no room for her lungs to expand.

‘Here—’he took the package from her other hand ‘—I will open it for you.’

She watched as he deftly removed the wrapping and handed the velvet box back to her. She opened it to find a diamond pendant on an exquisitely fine gold chain, resting on its bed of blue velvet the colour of her eyes.

‘It’s…beautiful…thank you…’ Her voice came out husky, a slow, seeping warmth consuming her at the thought of him taking the time to choose such an exquisite gift for her.

‘I am glad you like it. Perhaps you would like to wear it now.

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