A Night In His Arms: Captive in the Spotlight / Meddling with a Millionaire / How to Seduce a Billionaire. Annie West

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СКАЧАТЬ was more than pride at stake. It was her faith in her one tangible asset—strength in the face of adversity.

      Without that, how could she face the future that loomed like a black hole? She had no family now. No friends. No prospects, as each day’s job-hunting proved. If she let herself weaken she’d never survive.

      Lucy met Domenico’s gaze, reading anticipation in his stillness. He expected her to make a run for it, damn him.

      ‘Where’s your boat?’

      * * *

      Three hours later she was a different woman. The mutinous set of her mouth had eased into a smile that made Domenico’s belly flip over. Her haunted expression had disappeared. Now her eyes shone pure forget-me-not blue, rivalling the sky for brightness.

      He’d only once before seen a woman lit from within like this. It had been Lucy then too. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

      He shook his head, unable to believe her avid enthusiasm was anything but real this time. There’d been no primping, not even a comb or mirror in the bag she’d brought. No coy looks or subtle feminine blandishments. Her focus had been on the boat and the sensation of speed as they circled the island. Her husky laughter still echoed in his ears. She’d been like a kid on a roller coaster for the first time—delighted and delightful in her glee.

      ‘Did you see the size of that octopus?’ She surfaced beside him, grinning as she removed the snorkel’s mouthpiece. ‘It’s amazing, and the way it moves!’

      ‘Do you like octopus? I could catch it for our dinner.’ Like a smitten youth showing off for a pretty girl. Like the man he’d been that first day in Rome. He’d turned from a cabinet of ornate jewellery and fallen into the cerulean depths of her gaze.

      Yet even that thought couldn’t dim Domenico’s good mood. He’d enjoyed the last couple of hours more than any he could remember in months.

      She was a pleasure to be with. Her questions had stimulated rather than bored him. She’d made him see the place through fresh, appreciative eyes.

      How long since he’d enjoyed such simple pleasures? Usually when he visited he was busy, finishing work or entertaining guests who were too sophisticated to get excited about snorkelling or a speedboat ride.

      ‘No.’ She reached out and put a restraining hand on his shoulder when he would have dived back under. ‘Thank you, but I’d rather you let it be.’

      ‘Squeamish about seeing your dinner before it appears on your plate?’ He kept his eyes on her face though it was her slim hand on his shoulder that stole his attention.

      ‘Maybe.’ Her smile turned wistful. ‘Can’t we just leave him alone? Free?’

      Something about the way she said that last word made him pause. Was that what she’d enjoyed so much? The freedom of their afternoon on the water?

      It struck him that this was a massive change from the restrictions she’d known behind bars. He couldn’t imagine such a life. How had she coped?

      He wasn’t in the business of feeling sorry for her. Yet seeing her so different from the touchy, self-protective woman he’d known, Domenico couldn’t completely suppress a sense of connection between them.

      His motive in being with her had been to soften her into accepting his deal—her silence for a big chunk of money. But somewhere in the past days he’d found himself wanting her company. He’d told himself he needed to understand the woman who threatened his family, but that wasn’t all. Not any more.

      He wanted to be with her. He wanted...

      ‘In that case we’ll leave it be.’ He looked at the westering sun. ‘It’s time to stop. Come on.’

      * * *

      Lucy wrapped an oversized beach towel around herself, conscious of Domenico’s gaze lingering as he’d helped her aboard. His eyes had shone silver as he took in the swimsuit moulding her body. It had only been for a second before he’d looked away, but that had ignited a slow, curling heat inside. His look had seared her to the core and shivers still rippled across her skin.

      The trouble was, though they were on opposing sides, the old attraction was back, stronger than before.

      Worse, she’d begun to like him.

      He put her at ease and made her smile, and it wasn’t just about him trying to persuade her to sign his contract. There was the way he was with little Chiara—like an honorary uncle instead of the man who employed half her family. The way he treated Lucy—always straight down the line. The way he’d held her this afternoon.

      It scared her how much his concern had meant to her.

      ‘Why did you never speak to me at the trial?’

      Horrified, she heard the words slip out. Did she really want to break the afternoon’s spell by dredging up the past? It seemed she did. ‘I thought you’d talk to me at least. Acknowledge me.’

      There. It was out in the open finally.

      She turned her gaze on him. To her amazement, colour flushed his tanned face, rising high on those lean cheeks.

      ‘Would it have changed anything?’

      Lucy’s lips firmed. It wouldn’t have changed the trial’s outcome but it would have meant everything to her.

      ‘When I saw you there I thought you’d come to support me.’ Her mouth twisted. She’d felt utterly alone, her family so far away. ‘Until I found out who you were.’

      His eyes widened, something like shock tensing his face.

      ‘Surely you knew that already.’

      ‘How could I? I only knew your first name, remember?’

      They’d had such a short time together, less than a day. Her chest tightened. It wasn’t his fault she’d fallen under his spell so utterly. That she’d read too much into simple attraction. She’d been so inexperienced. Domenico was the first man to make her heart flutter.

      She looked into his stunned eyes and realised what a little fool she’d been. What had her claim on him been? An afternoon’s pleasant company compared with supporting his family in crisis.

      All this time she’d blamed him for not hearing her out. How could he, with Pia clinging hysterically to him? With the weight of his brother’s death weighing him down?

      How could she have expected him to leave those responsibilities for her, a woman he barely knew? Simply because she’d woven juvenile fantasies about him! Suddenly she felt a million years older than the immature girl who’d stood in the dock.

      She raised her hand when he went to speak.

      ‘Forget it, Domenico. It doesn’t matter now.’ To her surprise, it was true. Clinging to pain only held her back.

      If this afternoon had shown her one thing it was that life was worth living—here, now. She intended to grab it by the throat and make the most of it. No point repining over what couldn’t be changed.

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