Full Exposure. Diana Duncan

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СКАЧАТЬ silent. After a few moments, her soft, warm cheek rested on Dante’s chest.

      He listened as her breathing grew deep and even. The night closed around him, and the tenderness tugging at his heart turned to sharp claws of terror.

      Like Eros, he’d been sent on a covert mission to bring down a woman…and found himself confronted by a dilemma he’d never expected. Assaulted by feelings he didn’t dare investigate.

      During Ariana’s captivity, her lovely face had creased with concentration as she had listened to her iPod and scribbled in her notebook. She wasn’t merely writing stories. He’d tried to confiscate both items, but she’d thwarted him.

      He frowned. Did she still have them, or had they been lost during the explosion? Ariana murmured and snuggled closer. The fact that she’d lowered her shields and fallen asleep in his lap did something strange to his insides.

      Where there is no trust, there can be no love.

      The cold, hard truth. His stomach knotted. Deception was his job. He lied and stole and strove to earn people’s trust…so he could betray them. He was damn good at it.

      One way or another, he would obtain the information he needed. He glanced down at Ariana and his throat constricted.

      How much of his soul would it cost him to use that information against the woman sleeping trustfully in his arms?

      CHAPTER FOUR

      DANTE ENDURED THE NIGHT in a restless vigil that enabled him to leap to awareness. His eyelids slitted open as an anemic sunrise crawled above the horizon.

      Gunmetal clouds glowered overhead. Wind-lashed waves reflected a leaden sky. A vile mood gnawed at his temper, and his body ached with pain…and arousal.

      In contrast to the foul elements, the sweet morsel sleeping in his lap was warm and soft and tantalizing. And off-limits.

      He scowled. It was going to be a terrific day.

      He’d been livid when Ariana’s meddling at the dig site had caused his boss to yank him out of the smuggling ring to protect her. He’d lost eighteen months of planning and groundwork. Lost his position inside the Camorra.

      Dante clenched his jaw. He’d used the resentment to sustain distance between them. But after six weeks babysitting Ariana, he’d lost his perspective. Last night when she was vulnerable, he should have targeted the opportunity to interrogate her again. Instead, he’d encouraged her to indulge in fairy tales.

      He’d lost his damn mind.

      He shifted away from the boulder digging into his spine, and Ariana stirred. Her long lashes fluttered up, and he fell into her deep, blue gaze. He hadn’t been afraid when the Greek was holding him underwater, but now fear uncoiled inside him.

      He was in over his head.

      Drowning.

      Ariana’s wary glance assessed him. She’d have to be oblivious not to notice his reaction. Signorina Bennett had plenty of smarts.

      “Hi.” Her husky contralto sounded sleepy. “I don’t think this is exactly what the cruise line intended when they offered me a job with travel and excitement.”

      He surfaced, clinging to a life preserver of irritation. Liking her would only make double-crossing her more painful. He fought the urge to smile, managed a frown. “If we’re going to survive, we cannot loll around all day.”

      “Drat, there goes my plan to stake out a beach blanket and sip lemonade.” She wrinkled her nose. “Are you always Prince Charming in the mornings?”

      “There’s a reason the story you related last night is called a myth. Devoted princes, love eternal and happily ever after don’t exist.”

      “But every woman pines for a high-maintenance guy who demands she sacrifice herself.” Ariana snorted. “I don’t know why Psyche thought a man was worth that much trouble, or pain.”

      He narrowed his eyes. “And Eros was foolish to sacrifice his duty and honor.”

      “Well, now that we’ve solved the imaginary problems of mythical beings, we can concentrate on escape.” She sat up, and he didn’t miss her wince of pain. “Priority one—where’s the ladies’ room?”

      Like him, she was cut and bruised and must be hungry, thirsty and sore. Some women would complain, or cry. He couldn’t help but admire her fortitude and determination. “Twelve meters down, second boulder on the left.”

      “See?” The sensual brush of her silky limbs ignited a fire in his belly. “You can smile without cracking your face. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

      Obviously, Ariana had chosen to ignore his blatant arousal. Hard didn’t begin to cover it.

      “Dante, would you mind indulging me again?”

      His pulse leaped, and his intent gaze held hers captive. Mia cara, I would indulge you as many times as you could handle…and more.

      Her pupils dilated and her breath hitched in a small sound that made his heart stumble. “Um…please close your eyes so I can dress?”

      Dante ground his back teeth in frustration. “Believe me, bella, you do not possess anything I have not seen before.”

      “No doubt, but I’m not in the habit of providing a free peep show. And there aren’t enough euros in the western hemisphere.” She waved. “Now close those big brown eyes.”

      Cold reality chilled his ardor. She was right.

      Involvement with her could cost him everything.

      He had a job to do. He couldn’t afford to pay her price. Both of them would pay dearly—with their lives—if he botched it.

      He hadn’t survived years in a cutthroat occupation by being gullible enough to shut his eyes or turn his back on anyone. But he ducked his head when she slid off his lap—as much for himself as for her.

      He finished dressing first and shot a glance sideways. Though she blocked the furtive movements, he watched her unearth a plastic-wrapped parcel from beneath a rock and cram it in her hip pocket. She still had her secrets.

      And so did he.

      Dante averted his gaze as she rose and stepped toward him. “I’m ready.” He pivoted, and she gingerly rubbed her back. “Camping on the beach sounds so romantic in stories. I don’t know about you, but sleeping on sand redefines abrasion. When I get back, we can explore.”

      As he watched her slowly meander down the beach, a lightning bolt of desire seared him and he swore. Ariana was either remarkably naive, or the most cunning opponent he’d ever crossed blades with. And he’d parried with plenty of players.

      Either way, he was in trouble.

      He had to stay alert. Censor every word and action, so he didn’t end up speared on his own rapier.

      Then again, perhaps that was his destiny.

      But СКАЧАТЬ