Postcards From Buenos Aires: The Playboy of Argentina / Kept at the Argentine's Command / One Night, Twin Consequences. Lucy Ellis

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ he’d thought she’d looked sexy in her little blue dress, it was nothing to seeing her decked out in one of his favourite blue shirts. Scrubbed clean, hair sleek, bare limbs.

      Had she done the buttons up wrong just to add to the whole ‘tumbled out of bed’ look? His eyes zoned straight in on the asymmetric slices of fabric that skimmed her toned, succulent thighs.

      She strolled right up and took the bottle of water that was dangling limply from his hand. Then she unscrewed the top, tipped the bottle head against his, winked, said, ‘Cheers!’ and took a long, slow sip.

      His eyes zoned in on her throat. Swallowing the water. It killed him.

      He’d really thought that some of her allure would have rubbed off by now. Didn’t feel like it. Not the way he was warming up. He turned away.

      Dante beamed at her as if she was some kind of clever child who had taken its first steps or said its first words. Then he did exactly what he always did: he stood up and sauntered over as if he was being called to the stage to collect a prize—all easy charm and sunshine smiles.

      ‘I’m Dante. Absolute pleasure to meet you, Frankie. Again.’

      He kissed her right cheek, kissed her left cheek. Held her by the shoulders and gave her a long once-over. Nodded.

      Rocco sank the rest of his water and watched from the corner of his eye.

      She was smiling that smile. She could be so intense, but when she smiled her face lit up like carnival.

      ‘Pleased to meet you, too, Dante. Again.’

      ‘Dante’s just leaving.’ He took his empty bottle and fired it into the recycling bin. It clattered noisily.

      Dante didn’t miss a beat.

      ‘Yeah, I’m heading to Punta, Frankie. We always head there after the Molina party. It’s the Turlington Club party tomorrow night. I’d be happy to take you.’

      It was the usual chat, but seeing the flash of dipped eyes and the curve of a smile made him bristle. Was she flirting? Was Dante flirting right back? Whatever—it was pushing his damn buttons. That was all it was. He should know that. What was wrong with him? He should calm the hell down.

      She opened her mouth to reply but he cut in. ‘As I said, I have to call in at La Colorada. So I’ll let you know later if I’m going to make it up to Punta.’

      ‘How about you, Frankie? What would you rather do? Go and muck out horses with the Lone Ranger here, or drink cocktails at Bikini Beach with me?’

      Rocco felt his fingers grip Frankie’s shoulders. ‘Frankie came all the way here to see the horses, so I reckon that answers your question.’

      ‘And I thought she was here to see you …’

      The swine threw his head back and laughed. Round One to him.

      Rocco palmed her back as he steered her down the hallway, with Dante’s chuckling words ringing in the space. ‘I’ll see myself out, then. See you at the Turlington Club, Frankie—save me a dance.’

      How many times had Dante tried that routine on one of his girls? And how many times had Rocco found it entertaining? Countless. Watching their eyes widen, wondering who to look at—wondering if Dante really was flirting.

      ‘You never said anything about going to your ranch.’

      She had stopped dead, in that way that she did. Like a mule.

      ‘No, I didn’t, but I have to go there now.’

      He paused. This could be the moment. At any other time, with any other woman, this would be the moment. As soon as they got possessive, bitchy or mean: It’s been great, but change of plans. Thanks for a wonderful time. It would be that clean. The words would maybe sound harsh, but it would be short, sweet, simple.

      He considered, but he just didn’t want to. Not yet anyway. Another day should see all the knots worked out …

      ‘But I’ve already told you I was only here with you for the day. I’ve come halfway across the world to see Esme.’

      She was still with that? She couldn’t see herself that the minute she’d landed it was him she’d tracked down? He was still coming to terms with everything she’d told him, but he was slowly getting there—she couldn’t really be blind to the fact that it was his house she was standing in, in his shirt, after having his body all over her for the past ten hours.

      ‘Punta is a two-hour trip. If you want to leave now I’ll make the arrangements …’

      She opened her mouth.

      ‘I have to go to the estancia. Juanchi, my head gaucho, wants to talk. He’s got a concern about one of the ponies on the genetics programme. It’s up to you. Easy to get you to your friends, if that’s what you want.’

      She twirled a strand of hair, made a little face, shrugged. ‘Okay. Sounds like a plan. As long as there are no more surprises.’

      Sounds like a plan? No more surprises? He almost did a double-take. God, she riled him like no other woman ever could.

      But even as she stood there he wanted to wipe the coy little look off her face with his mouth.

      ‘That’s the thing about surprises—you can’t always see them coming.’

      She slipped him a little smile. ‘I suppose …’

      ‘Take us—right now.’

      He took the water from her hand, put it on the console table beside them.

      ‘Bolt from the blue.’

      He slid his hands round her waist, felt the faint outline of her ribs, pulled her towards him. She was still holding back. Still playing her game. He could feel it. No arms round his neck … no legs round his waist.

      ‘This has been a very lovely surprise. Gorgeous.’

      He stepped into her space, eased his thumbs to the underside of her breasts. Slowly, slowly rubbed the soft flesh, gently massaged.

      ‘So what if it’s only going to last a few more hours? A day? You go your way—I go mine.’

      He kept up his sensuous caressing. She blinked her eyes, slowly, softened like butter in the sunshine.

      ‘But there’s no point denying that right now we’re very …’

      His hands slid to the sides of her breasts and his thumbs found her nipples. Little light touches to begin with, just how she liked it.

      ‘Very …’

      She closed her eyes.

      ‘Hot for one another …’

      Her head fell back and she ground out a long, satisfied sigh. ‘Mmm …’

      He СКАЧАТЬ