The Innocent's Sinful Craving by Sara Craven

Author:Sara Craven
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-11-02T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

SHE DIDN’T WANT COFFEE. The last thing she needed was an extra stimulant when she felt wired to snapping point already, but it seemed wiser to avoid a clash with her equally unwelcome host, so she drank some, finding she was oddly glad of its heat and strength.

‘Goodness.’ She tried to speak lightly to conceal her unease at his last remark. ‘That sounds terribly serious.’

‘Marriage,’ he said, ‘is a serious business.’

She replaced her cup carefully in its saucer. ‘Yes, I—I suppose so. I didn’t know you were contemplating such a thing.’

‘I have thought of it for some time.’

‘Your father must be pleased.’

‘I think he will be,’ he said. ‘Eventually.’

She reached for her cup, needing to dispel the feeling of sick emptiness inside her, caused, she told herself, by the loss of Adam and, with him, Mannion.

Zac broke the silence. ‘So,’ he said, ‘how would you save poor Mannion from being a mere convenience?’

‘That’s something you should discuss with your future wife.’

‘Then be my wife,’ he said lightly. ‘And save Mannion from its fate.’

Her hand jerked, spilling coffee onto the coral dress. She said breathlessly, ‘If that’s a joke, I don’t find it amusing.’

‘I am perfectly serious,’ he said. ‘I am asking you to marry me, Dana mia.’

‘In which case you must be mad.’ She swallowed convulsively. ‘And the answer is no.’

He sighed elaborately. ‘And only moments ago you were declaring that no sacrifice was too great for the house you love.’

Oh, God, she thought. Why did I let my mouth run away with me?

She took a deep breath. ‘Marriage is totally different. I am not for sale.’

Zac shrugged. ‘Yet, to possess this house, you were ready to sell yourself to Adam.’

She stiffened. ‘You have no right to suggest that. I’m involved in a relationship with him, as you know perfectly well.’

‘So closely involved that you knew nothing of the Australian scheme.’ It was a statement not a question.

She bit her lip. ‘Perhaps he needed to be sure of the money before he told me.’

‘Ah, yes,’ Zac drawled. ‘The money. He wishes, as always, to start at the top, with the expensive house and the lifestyle to match it.’ He paused. ‘So will he ask you to go with him to Australia and share his good fortune?’ His dark gaze was quietly implacable. ‘And, if so, will you agree—become his and leave everything else behind?’

There seemed little point in lying. Nor was there anywhere left for her to hide. She did not look at him, just shook her head, mutely, defeatedly.

‘Then we understand each other. You want Mannion and I, carissima mia, want you.’ He shrugged again, almost casually. ‘In the end, it is very simple.’

‘Simple,’ Dana echoed incredulously. ‘In what alternate universe is that?’

Her breathing had quickened and she saw that he was aware of it too, his eyes studying the rise and fall of her breasts. Her inner disturbance was turning to tumult. She touched the tip of her tongue to her dry lips, only to realise that was not lost on him either.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.