Millionaire Under The Mistletoe. Janice Maynard

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Reece’s unhelpful contributions, she eventually selected one that was neither too bushy nor too straggly and didn’t have any bare bits. The tree was bagged in a net and installed in the back of the Land Rover beside Wally.

      ‘You’ll have a mince pie, of course?’

      Reece bent downwards to enquire in her ear, ‘Is this another family tradition?’

      Darcy ignored him and the tantalising male scent of him that teased her receptive nostrils—she was partially successful.

      ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ she agreed, following their host into the shop area, which was dripping with both tasteful and gaudy Christmas decorations—not the place for a man who was trying to avoid Christmas, although Reece seemed to be taking the festive surroundings in his stride. ‘But no sherry for me,’ she added hastily, with an expression of regret, ‘I’m driving.’

      ‘But you’ll have some, Mr Erskine?’

      ‘Reece. Yes, I’d love some.’

      Darcy was watching from under the protective sweep of her lashes, so she had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes widen in shock as he took a robust bite from his innocent-looking pie. Her lips twitched; she was far more tentative in her approach.

      ‘Delicious as usual,’ she mumbled, chewing away valiantly; Uncle Rick must have a stomach of cast iron, she decided, watching him munch his way through two for her one. The problem with Aunty Grace’s mince pies was that they looked totally delicious and had the consistency of concrete. ‘Aunty Grace has surpassed herself this year.’

      ‘Delicious,’ she heard Reece agree faintly after he very visibly swallowed.

      ‘Would you like another, Reece?’

      Reece patted his stomach. ‘Love to, but I don’t want to take the edge off my appetite—I’m taking Darcy to lunch,’ he explained glibly.

      ‘First I’ve heard about it.’

      ‘It was meant to be a surprise, darling.’ He glanced at the steel-banded watch on his wrist. ‘Talking of which, we should be making a move—I’ve booked a table for twelve.’

      ‘Where would that be…darling?’ she wondered innocently. The man was entirely too slick.

      ‘Why, where else but your favourite, daaarling?’ Reece drawled smoothly.

      ‘Twelve…? You’d better get a move-on, Darcy; it’ll take you twenty minutes to get to the Bull’s Head. You give my best to the family.’

      Darcy bent forward and kissed the older man’s cheek. ‘I will, Uncle Rick. Why, Reece!’ she exclaimed, picking up the glass carefully secreted behind a potted palm. ‘You’ve forgotten your sherry,’ she reminded him spitefully.

      ‘So I have.’ He met her eyes and, nostrils flared, tipped back the glass, downing the contents in one gulp—like taking nasty medicine, she thought, stifling the urge to giggle.

      ‘Was that a test, or an initiation ceremony?’ he muttered under his breath as they walked together back to the Land Rover.

      If it had been he’d have passed with flying colours. ‘Uncle Rick only hands out the mince pies and sherry to valued friends and customers.’

      ‘I’m surprised he still has any.’

      ‘Shut up,’ she hissed, waving through the window. ‘He’ll hear you.’

      ‘What was that I just drank?’

      ‘Sherry.’

      ‘I’ve tasted sherry, sweetheart, and that wasn’t it.’

      Darcy, who had sampled the sweet, syrupy concoction in the past, had some sympathy with his view. ‘It’s probably safer to call it fortified wine,’ she conceded.

      ‘How about we head for the Bull’s Head, your favourite watering hole?’ he reminded her drily.

      ‘How about I drop you at the nearest bus station? Oh, sorry, I forgot I’m talking to limo man.’

      ‘Helicopters are my preferred mode of transport. Do you realise that nearly all our conversations have taken place while you’re at the wheel of a car—?’

      ‘Is there anything wrong with my driving?’ she asked belligerently.

      ‘Not a thing—when you’re looking at the road. It would make a nice change to be able to have a conversation that doesn’t prohibit the odd physical gesture.’

      Darcy swallowed nervously and decided it would be safer to never relinquish her place at the wheel. ‘Your problem,’ she announced scornfully, ‘is you think I’ll agree to anything if you kiss me.’

      ‘From where I’m sitting that’s a revelation not a problem.’

      It was one revelation too many for Darcy; she couldn’t concentrate on the road when her mind was full of forbidden images. The battle of words, at times undeniably stimulating, had lost all appeal. With a muffled plea for heavenly intervention she brought the Land Rover to an abrupt halt on the grassy verge. Without even bothering to switch off the engine, she leapt from the driver’s seat.

      Reece switched off the engine and pocketed the keys before following her.

      Darcy, who was hunched over, her hands braced against her thighs, turned her head to look at him.

      ‘Go away!’ she pleaded hoarsely. She didn’t actually hold out much hope of his doing as she requested.

      ‘Are you all right?’

      ‘Very obviously not.’ She took another deep breath and slowly straightened up. She brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face; it was an intensely weary gesture. ‘If you must know, I couldn’t stand being in that car with you any longer.’ She was past caring what he thought.

      Reece didn’t seem to take offence in her anguished observation. ‘It’s pretty intense, isn’t it?’ he commiserated.

      Darcy’s brows drew into a suspicious line above her wide, startled eyes. ‘Are you saying that you…?’ She moved her head in a scornful negative gesture, rejecting the idea that Reece could be similarly affected by her proximity.

      ‘I can’t stop thinking about last night or wanting it to happen again.’ His tone might have been matter-of-fact bordering on rudely abrupt, but the lick of flames in his deep-set eyes was not!

      Darcy was shaking so hard she had to fold her arms tight across her middle to hide the tremors. In the process she unwittingly drew attention to her full, heaving bosom. ‘That was sex.’

      ‘That was exceptional sex,’ Reece contradicted firmly. ‘A relationship has to start somewhere.’

      Darcy looked at him blankly. ‘Relationship…? You don’t want a relationship.’

      ‘How do you know what I want?’ he demanded.

      ‘Well, do you?’

      ‘Maybe СКАЧАТЬ