Harlequin Presents December 2021, Box Set 1 of 2 by Maisey Yates

Author:Maisey Yates
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWO

DELPHIE WANTED TO back away from him, but to do so would be as good as arching her neck, displaying her jugular and inviting him to deliver the mortal blow.

So she summoned the poise she’d painstakingly learned under Rachel’s tough tutelage when she was just seventeen, turned her back and strolled with feigned nonchalance into the spacious living room and its to-die-for vista, flaunting the best of San Calliano’s capital, San Lorena, at sunset.

The stunning city was a masterpiece blend of old-world charm and modern architecture, which under normal circumstances Delphie would have spent hours exploring. Instead, she was struggling to remember to breathe, intensely aware of the man who’d sauntered in behind her after ominously shutting the door, his presence filling up the room to the exclusion of all else.

With nowhere to go once she reached the floor-to-ceiling windows, she turned and faced him. ‘Since you seem to know which room I’m in, I’m assuming you’re responsible for all this?’

From the priceless Venetian wallpaper to the Aubusson carpeting and the gold-edged paper set upon the polished antique writing desk, every inch of the suite was testament to the sort of wealthy echelons Lucca moved in.

‘I thought you would appreciate it. We both know you appreciate the finer things in life,’ he confirmed.

‘No,’ she denied. ‘You’re the one who commands the highest premium out of every corner of your life. I merely came along for the ride.’ It had turned out to be a more precarious roller coaster than she’d anticipated, and when she’d stepped off she had known she was changed for ever.

Hard cynicism twisted his lips. In the setting sun, his deeply tanned skin gleamed with vitality, making her fingers itch to explore its warmth the way she’d once loved doing.

‘It’s unbecoming in you to attempt to paint yourself the simpering sycophant when we both know you’re nothing of the sort.’

A punch of pride raised her chin. She wasn’t going to admit she would’ve followed him anywhere, turned herself into whatever shape he desired, simply to remain at his side. Hadn’t discovering just how deeply that desire ran, on top of finding out she’d been nothing but a passing fancy, with her true, temporary place in his life unveiled with callous brutality, been the reason she’d fled?

‘Think what you will, but I didn’t ask for this.’

‘You refused the plane I sent for you—and my invitation to stay at the royal palace. Now you disparage my generosity.’

The bite to his words and the tension in his shoulders fed her own. She fought the urge to swallow, and shrugged. ‘I prefer to pay my own way.’

‘Really? The rumour is that you’re a little light in the pocket. Are you sure you can afford to throw my hospitality back in my face?’

‘And how would you know that?’

His smile was pure arrogance, declaring that he was top of the food chain and didn’t care who knew it. Hell, he was extremely happy to flaunt it.

‘Do you really need to ask, Delphine?’

The

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