Modern Romance July 2019 Books 1-4. Sharon Kendrick

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СКАЧАТЬ the hours lost to jet lag. But he had refused point-blank.

      ‘Me stroking your breasts before you deciding you don’t want to play along any more doesn’t qualify you for dispensation from the job you’re being paid to do,’ he had drawled. ‘You’re the official face of my sober new image, Emily, and you’re coming to the party with me. You can catch up on your sleep tomorrow, before the race.’

      She hated the way he talked about sex so... casually...as if it was nothing more than an enjoyable bodily function which could just be enjoyed without much thought or deliberation. Maybe that was how men like him thought of it. When women flung themselves so eagerly at Alej Sabato—herself included—why wouldn’t he think of them as anything but sexual fodder? But she had found herself unable to argue with his logic. You couldn’t really cite being overly attracted to your boss as a reason for not doing your job properly, could you?

      Nonetheless, it had been with a heavy heart that she’d put a few final tweaks to her dishevelled appearance and joined him in the back of the chauffeur-driven car which had brought them down to the harbour. And now she was cast in her favourite role of observer, watching the comings and goings of the glittering guests as she stood in a shadowed corner.

      She noticed that, although the party was attended by lots of the hunky drivers who were competing in the race the following day, it was the charismatic Alejandro who captured all the attention. Everyone wanted to talk to him, she realised. She spotted a famous Hollywood actress making her way across the deck to push her way through the small crowd gathered in front of him, her famous fall of blonde hair blowing softly in the early evening breeze. Emily screwed up her nose. Kate Palmer, yes, that was her name—a woman who’d won two BAFTA awards, amongst others. And wasn’t that a top-selling novelist surreptitiously sneaking a selfie with him, despite Emily’s stern instructions that such casual interactions must stop if he wanted to be taken seriously?

      She told herself it was professional pique which was making her so cross that he was ignoring her advice but the truth was a little more sinister. Because a dark rush of jealousy was clenching at her heart, making her want to rush over to the glittering group and to grab Alej possessively by the arm and to announce that he’d been making love to her earlier.

      ‘Must be frustrating.’

      A voice made Emily break her gaze from the oddly uncomfortable sight of Alejandro saying something which made the award-winning actress dissolve into instant laughter. Reluctantly she turned her head to study the tanned features of the tall man who had positioned himself beside her, his fair hair and open face making him seem the Argentinian’s very antithesis.

      ‘What must?’ she asked.

      The man shrugged. ‘Dating someone like that, who attracts women like moths to the flame. He’s famous for it. Or should I say infamous? I saw you come in with him,’ he said, by way of an explanation Emily hadn’t asked for.

      ‘I’m not dating him,’ said Emily slowly.

      ‘No? Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all evening.’ His blue eyes lit up and he extended his hand. ‘Marcus Hedlund.’

      ‘Emily Green,’ she said as she shook it.

      ‘Happy to meet you, Emily Green. You know, I’m looking for someone who might be interested in sailing away for a year and a day.’ He smiled. ‘And I’ve always had a thing about a woman in a red dress. Could I interest you in the position?’

      ‘That’s a terribly kind offer,’ said Emily sweetly. ‘But I’m afraid I’m not in a position to sail anywhere right now—and I’m a terrible sailor anyway.’

      ‘I could teach you. We Swedes make great teachers—didn’t you know that?’

      Emily smiled back in spite of herself. ‘I’m afraid I’m beyond teaching.’

      ‘Nobody is beyond teaching.’ Marcus plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress and handed one to Emily and, although she had diligently stuck to fizzy water all evening, she couldn’t resist a sip of the fine wine.

      ‘So, back to Sabato,’ he continued. ‘You’re saying he’s just...?’

      ‘Just wondering why you’re monopolising my newest member of staff,’ interjected a voice of steel, and Emily looked up to see that Alejandro had extricated himself from his adoring audience and was standing in front of them, surveying her and Marcus with an unfathomable look darkening his green eyes.

      ‘You were ignoring her, so I stepped in,’ said Marcus, giving an unabashed shrug. ‘I was simply being chivalrous.’

      ‘Is that what you call it?’ queried Alejandro drily. ‘Surely you have plenty of women to choose from, Marcus—especially when you own a yacht this size.’

      ‘Not when you’re in the vicinity, man. And surely you must know by now that it’s not the size of someone’s yacht which interests them. Nice to meet you, Emily.’ Marcus grinned. ‘Don’t waste your time falling for him.’

      ‘I don’t think there’s much chance of that happening,’ Emily answered crisply, watching as the Swede raised his glass in a mocking toast and sauntered across the deck, before turning her attention to Alejandro. ‘Were you listening to a word I said to you earlier?’ she questioned exasperatedly.

      He raised his eyebrows. ‘Surely I’m the one who should be feeling aggrieved, since I’ve just found you flirting with one of my oldest friends.’

      ‘I shall flirt with whoever I please. You seem to have no qualms about doing the same. And please don’t try to change the subject, Alejandro. I’m serious.’

      He could see that. She had assumed a disapproving expression, which seemed at odds with the woman who had briefly come to life like a firecracker in his arms a couple of hours ago. In her he had seen glimpses of the old Emily, who would thrill to his touch just as he would thrill to hers.

      But he hadn’t really known her at all back then, had he? He’d attributed to her all kinds of qualities she didn’t possess, probably because she’d been an innocent virgin who had made him feel old-fashioned and protective towards her. She had destroyed his idealism with a few cruel words and, because of his dalliance with her, his mother had been summarily dismissed from her job.

      He felt a beat of anger as he remembered his impotent rage when he’d heard about his mother’s sacking, but anger was a pointless emotion. Desire was something he was better equipped to deal with. And revenge, of course. A primitive reaction but a very satisfying one, nonetheless. He hid his flicker of anticipation behind a bland mask of social concern.

      ‘Would you like some food?’ he questioned.

      ‘No, thanks. I’m allergic to caviar. I’m going to head back to the hotel and do a little work before getting an early night.’

      ‘I’ll come with you.’

      ‘No, Alejandro,’ she said, in a low voice. ‘You stay on here. People will be disappointed if you leave now. You’re obviously the guest of honour and you don’t need me hanging around. Besides, that actress you were talking to has been staring at you with moony eyes for the last five minutes.’

      His eyes narrowed. ‘I thought you told me women were off limits?’

      ‘Women in the plural, СКАЧАТЬ