Harlequin Presents--August 2020--Box Set 1 of 2 by Sharon Kendrick

Author:Sharon Kendrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

‘SO, WHO ARE these “others”?’

Glancing up at Vicè, Imma frowned. Neither of them was hungry, but they were drinking wine on the vast terrace next to the pool. Or rather he was drinking. She was too jittery to do anything but clutch the stem of her glass. Besides, just looking at him made her tongue stick to the roof of her mouth.

Watching him languidly stretch out his long legs, she felt knots form in her stomach. He was so perfect, with his dark poet’s eyes and panther-like grace…

Trying to stay calm, she gazed past him. It was a bad idea. Somebody—probably Marianna, the housekeeper—had lit some candles, and the twitching flames made the curves of his face even more dangerously appealing.

Accompanying the darkness was the lightest of breezes—a whisper of dry air from Africa—and on it came the scent of the roses and jasmine that Marianna cherished in the garden that surrounded the villa on all sides.

The undiluted romance of it all sent a tremor through her blood.

She cleared her throat. ‘Others?’

He picked up his wine glass, lounging back in his seat, his dark eyes roaming her face. ‘Earlier, you said something about me changing my mind “like the others.”’

‘Oh, that…’ She felt a prickle spread over her skin and down her spine. ‘It’s nothing, really.’

How could someone like him truly understand? But he held her gaze.

She sighed. ‘Just that my dates were always ever so keen on me—until they worked out who my father was. And then—’

‘Oh, I see,’ he said softly.

She nodded. ‘Papà has a reputation. Friends in low places. I’m sure you’ve read the stories about him?’

He shook his head, his eyes gleaming. ‘Too busy reading about myself.’

The teasing note in his voice made her skin sting. Pulse quickening, she glanced away. What was he thinking when he looked at her like that? And why did her body like it so much?

Reaching across the table, he took her hand. ‘Look, what they can’t find out they make up. It’s not important.’

His voice was gentle but his dark eyes were burning into her, the intensity of their focus accelerating her already racing pulse. He was everything she wanted, but everything she feared. Compelling. Confident. Curious about her.

She had never talked like this to anyone. Her father’s moods were too changeable and Claudia was so young and innocent.

She felt his fingers tighten around hers.

‘Those men had no right to judge you, cara.’ His beautiful mouth twisted. ‘Believe me, I know. People think because they read about you that they know you, but they don’t.’ His eyes met hers. ‘They really don’t.’

Remembering the stories she’d read about him, she felt a twinge of guilt. How could she complain about being judged when she was guilty of doing the same to him?

‘And those people don’t know you,’ she said, her words tumbling over themselves. ‘The real you. You’re funny, and smart, and kind, and sweet…’

Her voice petered out. Beside her, Vicè leaned back a little, his expression midway between surprise and amusement—unsurprising, given that she’d sounded like some teenage fangirl.

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.