Fran Lee Dictated by Fate (pdf)

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about what has happened between us, but I also think that you took as much pleasure in our
lovemaking as I did. Or am I mistaken again?"
She stared and swallowed hard. She drew a deep, shaky breath, and she smiled slowly,
seeming oddly breathless.
He calmed the need to sweep her off the toilet seat and carry her to the tub. He inhaled
carefully before continuing. So, even though one of us has chosen a different lifestyle, it would
appear that we are a pleasurable match sexually, don't you agree?"
She swallowed again. What exactly are you trying to tell me, Antonio? Her voice was so
soft he almost didn't hear her.
"I am telling you, little one, that there is nothing to fear from me. I know that we have
different tastes in sex partners, but that should not make us enemies. I find you an enjoyable
companion in my bed, but I will not abuse your trust. His eyes moved over her flushed face,
noting the wince of pain that crossed her pale features.
He drew a slow breath to maintain his calm, and without using his brain, he whispered
hoarsely, If you ever want anything at all from me, I am willing to give it anything at all."
She drew her fingers slowly from his grasp, and she tugged the robe closer about her
chest, her eyes avoiding his. I understand completely. Now, if you will go away, I will take my
bath."
Tonio frowned. Had he completely misread her? He rose to his full height and shrugged, a
trifle miffed that she had outright rejected his offer, which he felt was rather generous, seeing that
he was not all that bad in bed.
"Very well. I'll see you downstairs when you've finished."
She waited until she heard the soft click of the bathroom door closing before she rose and
dropped her robe to the marble floor. She stepped into the swirling tub with her thoughts and
her body completely at odds. The hot, bubbling water rose to her chin, and she closed her eyes
and wondered if she was going to be able to keep her head screwed on straight for the next two
years, of if she was going to embarrass herself completely by crawling to him and begging him to
ease her needs with another magnanimous gesture.
What a mess she had jumped into. She let her mind and body float in the wonderful
water, and after a few minutes, she managed to calm her anger at her own stupidity as well as her
pain at having a husband who saw her as nothing more than a bump in the road on his way to his
family fortune.
* * * *
She stepped out into the hallway, refreshed and feeling more herself after a long soak and
a short nap on her luxurious bed. After that lovely soak, she just might be able to face him once
again. She'd given herself a serious talking-to, and had decided that she would accept what he
offered and walk away feeling no remorse at the end of this brief time. She would play her part
and let him play his, avoiding, of course, any more physical contact than was necessary to fulfill
the contract. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she frowned and repeated to herself, "I will
get through these two years I will get through these two years."
The knee length cream silk sundress was gloriously soft against her skin, and she'd drawn
her copper mop up away from her face into a perky, absurdly youthful ponytail. A pair of cream
leather pumps completed the ensemble. She had opted to leave the lovely pearl necklace that
was bought to go with the dress in its velvet jewel box.
She was approaching the top of the grand staircase when a door to her right opened, and
Luis stepped out, his eyes sweeping over her quickly before he lowered his dark gaze and hurried
down the stairs. She half expected him to say something rude, but he still seemed to be afraid she
would throw something else at him, and that thought made her smile.
She heard male voices at the bottom of the staircase, and Luis raised, angry tones. By the
time she had reached the first stair, the only person standing at the foot of the staircase was
Antonio. Drawing a deep breath before starting down, she moved as gracefully and as [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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