The American Earl (Elbia Series Book 4) by Kathryn Jensen

Author:Kathryn Jensen [Jensen, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Sensual Story Theme, Hearts Desire, Lifetime Love, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Romantic Schemes, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Small Town & Rural Area, Action & Adventure, The Smythe Family Cousins, Sexy Aristocrat, Educational Loving
Publisher: Silhouette Desire
Published: 2011-04-18T04:00:00+00:00

Six

Bristol Cove was an intimate pink-sand beach on the south shore of Paget Parish. Unlike the famous Elbow Beach or Horseshoe Bay, which attracted large numbers of tourists in season, the secluded cove was visited mostly by locals and often remained completely deserted. “I discovered this place a few years ago,” Matt explained the next day as he helped Abby down the steps cut into the limestone cliff.

The path was narrow, edged in blooming shrubs. The arms of the cove closed in an embrace, sheltering the beach, keeping the water calm, offering a haven for the colorful little fish that darted in and out of the submerged coral reef.

Abby wished she were one of those little fish, hiding in among the lovely branches of coral. The simple fact that she and Matt had discussed sleeping together had set her on pins and needles. Could she actually do what Matt proposed and she had assured him she wanted to do? Could she simply have sex with him as an educational experience, then return to business as usual?

He had made no promise of a future for them; he’d implied much the opposite. But she’d approached this same point in her life once before, with Richard, and later wondered if she’d done the right thing by turning him away. She cared more about Matt, surprisingly, than she had ever cared about the man she had promised to marry. Now she wondered if she ever let Matt possess her body would she be letting him take her heart, too? And once that happened, would she find the strength to walk away from him when the time came?

Shivering despite the warm tropical breeze off the water, she followed Matt onto the pale crescent of sand. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” she whispered.

“It’s a favorite of mine,” he admitted, dropping towels onto the sand. “There are others that come to mind, though.”

“Where?”

“Castle Donan. Haven’t been there in years, but it’s a breathtaking estate. You should travel to Scotland someday. You’d love it.”

She smiled at the fantasy. Did he really think she would ever have that kind of money? He must, having said it so casually.

“Then there’s Elbia, just the other side of the mountains from Austria,” he added. “That’s where my other brother and his wife live.”

“Another castle?”

He chuckled at the skepticism in her voice. “Believe it or not, yes. But only one good-sized private suite belongs to Thomas. I think I mentioned that he’s employed by King Jacob. The mountains there are amazing. You feel as if you’re ten miles in the sky.”

Abby let out a long breath. “Your family sounds pretty amazing.” She nibbled at her lower lip. “You must miss them.”

He shrugged, but the gesture was anything but casual.

“How long has it been since you’ve seen your father?” She waited for a response, but none came. Perhaps she shouldn’t have brought up the subject.

Instead of answering her, Matt faced the water, pulled his shirt off over his head and marched with purpose toward the turquoise wavelets.

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