Sara Craven by Count's Blackmail Bargain

Author:Count's Blackmail Bargain [Bargain, Count's Blackmail]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-05-20T06:46:47+00:00

‘He saw her,’ Alessio said, after a pause. ‘Saw her one day, and fell in love for ever.’

‘And did they live happily ever after?’

‘They lived their own lives, but not together. She—belonged to another man.’

She made a thing of adjusting her sunglasses. She said lightly, ‘Then maybe he shouldn’t have allowed himself to fall in love.’

‘Ah,’ he said softly. ‘But perhaps, Laura mia, he could not help himself. Listen.’ He found a page, and read aloud. “‘I was left defenceless against love’s attack, with no barrier between my eyes and my heart.’’’

He put the book down. ‘Is there a defence against love, I wonder?’ The dark gaze seemed to bore into hers. ‘What do you think, bella mia? Did Paolo travel straight from your eyes to your heart when you saw him first?’

No, she thought, pain twisting inside her. But you did—and now I’m lost for ever…

She made herself look back at him. ‘Naturally there was—a connection. Why else would I be here?’

‘Why indeed?’ he said softly. He stretched slowly, effortlessly, making her numbly aware of every smooth ripple of muscle in his lean body. ‘I am going to swim, Laura. Will you join me?’

‘No,’ she managed somehow. ‘No, thank you.’

He smiled at her. ‘You do not feel the necessity to cool off a little?’

‘I’m a very poor swimmer,’ she said. ‘I don’t like being out of my depth, and your pool has no shallow end.’

‘Ah,’ he said meditatively. ‘Then why do you not allow me to teach you?’

There was a loaded silence, and Laura found she was biting her lip. ‘That’s—very kind,’ she said, trying to keep her voice steady. ‘But I couldn’t—possibly—impose on you like that.’

‘No imposition, cara mia.’ His voice was a drawl. ‘It would be my privilege, and my pleasure. Besides,’ he added with faint reproof, ‘everyone should be able to swim safely. Don’t you agree?’

‘I—I suppose so.’ Except that we’re not really talking about swimming, she thought wildly, and we both know it. So why—why are you doing this?

He said softly, ‘But you are not convinced.’ He walked to the far end of the pool, and dived in, swimming the whole length under water. He surfaced, shaking the water from his hair, and swam slowly to the edge, resting his arms on the tiled surround.

He beckoned. ‘Laura, come to me.’ He spoke quietly, but the imperative came over loud and clear. She realised, not for the first time, why he was a force to be reckoned with within the Arleschi Bank.

Reluctantly, she shed the voile shirt and walked over to the edge of the pool, reed-slender in her green swimsuit.

She said coolly, ‘Do you always expect to be obeyed, signore?’

‘Always.’ The sun glistened on the dark hair as he looked up at her. He added softly, ‘But I prefer compliance to submission, signorina.’ He paused, allowing her to assimilate that, then smiled. ‘Now sit on the edge,’ he directed. ‘Put your hands on my arms, and lower yourself into the water. I promise I will keep you safe.

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