The Best Of The Year - Modern Romance 2016. Кейт Хьюит

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СКАЧАТЬ her. She would do those cameras proud.

      ‘Why would I be nervous?’

      ‘Because we’re pretending to be something we aren’t,’ Alexa said bluntly.

      ‘You never did tell me,’ he murmured, ‘whether you have a boyfriend or not.’

      ‘Because it’s none of your business.’

      ‘Of course it’s my business,’ Theo returned smoothly. Was it? Really? Probably not. But he was suddenly curious to find out. ‘Reporters will do anything to get background material so that they can flesh out a non-existent story, and you’d be surprised at the efforts they go to to rake up mud. If they uncover a lovelorn pro bono lawyer weeping in a corner somewhere they’ll have a field-day. I’m going to have to be prepped with a suitable story.’

      ‘Are you telling me that you’re as pure as driven snow when it comes to...to...women? That there are no skeletons in your cupboard that can be uncovered?’

      ‘My love-life is an open book!’

      Theo grinned, and she was fascinated at how that open grin could be so engaging. She was as nervous as a kitten and he couldn’t have been cooler.

      Did anything rattle the man?

      ‘We’re here.’

      Alexa realised that the limo was slowing in front of an impressive white building, fronted with imposing stone columns and a bank of shallow stairs leading up to double doors, which were open. In front of them two uniformed men were checking invitations.

      ‘Boyfriend or no boyfriend?’ Theo pressed, circling her wrist with his hand, staying her before she could get out of the car.

      ‘No boyfriend! Okay?’

      Theo shot her a smile of such satisfaction that she wanted to smack him. Instead she gritted her teeth and returned his look of satisfaction with one of simmering resentment, which just made him smile a little more.

      ‘No boyfriend. Good. The fewer complications, the better. And stop scowling. Our relationship is too fresh for us to be having arguments in the back seat of a limo. We’re still in the honeymoon phase... The way I leave the toothpaste uncovered and forget to put the toilet seat down hasn’t started getting on your nerves just yet... So let’s smile a lot and face the music...’

      He laughed softly at her indignant, helpless expression and gently urged her out of the car as her door was opened for her.

      It was a big deal. Cameras flashed at the throng of people clustered outside or making their way in. Even as the car had stopped Alexa had been able to recognise faces. A couple of high-profile politicians, celebrities clinging to other celebrities, as if terrified of moving out of their comfort zones, businessmen in suits, accompanied by wives dripping in diamonds...

      Just the sort of crowd she preferred to avoid.

      They stepped out of the car and every reporter with every camera seemed to turn, as one, in their direction.

      This was the difference between being rich and being rich and newsworthy. The blinding flash of bulbs going off dazzled her, and the steadying arm of Theo, curving around her waist, felt like a solid rock of support in turbulent waters. She knew that she was actually leaning against him. Loathing the man, yet still finding his support strangely comforting.

      There was an excited babble of voices and heads turned in their direction.

      ‘You look amazing.’

      Theo leant to whisper huskily into her ear and she looked up at him, sensed the popping of cameras taking a picture of their whispered conversation.

      ‘So don’t be nervous. I’m right here.’

      He felt her automatic protest and his hold on her tightened. He laughed softly under his breath.

      ‘Remember,’ he murmured, still pressing close to her, so that no one could overhear what was being said, ‘what I told you about retracting those claws in public... Don’t forget that we’re in love...at the honeymoon stage...you can’t get enough of me...’

      Alexa had no idea how she managed to deal with the next hour and a half. She drank two glasses of champagne and ate some of the canapés that were passed around. Questions peppered her from various quarters, including from several people—friends of her parents—who wanted to know what was going on.

      The gossip mill was in full swing, and they couldn’t have announced their togetherness in a more public manner.

      Theo didn’t leave her side. His arm was around her at all times. She was conscious of that with every step she took.

      ‘Had enough?’

      Theo tilted her chin up and their eyes met. Alexa found that she could do little else but stare. His eyes were truly amazing and she felt giddy, sucked in by their green depths. She saw those fabulous, mesmerising eyes flicker and then he was leaning towards her and his mouth was covering hers, grazing it, and then he was delicately teasing his tongue between her lips.

      Never in her life had she felt anything like this before. It was as if a series of fireworks had exploded in her head. Every single thought vanished. Indeed, there was no one else in the room—no crowds of people chattering around her, no waiting staff weaving through with trays balanced on hands, no curious eyes boring a hole into her back.

      There was just the two of them, and the feel of his tongue meshing with hers, eliciting a soft shudder of response.

      Simultaneously the flash of a camera captured the moment, and she knew instantly that Theo had foreseen that.

      Everything had been timed to perfection. He had held her with just the right amount of possessiveness, had been attentive to just the right extent, had led the charade, expecting her to follow in his lead—and she had.

      They left the still-packed art exhibition and the babble of noise eventually subsided as they moved out into the open foyer outside the room where the main event was taking place, which was far less crowded.

      ‘Well done.’

      Theo released her, and without his arm around her reality was re-established.

      ‘What choice did I have?’ Alexa asked stiffly as they made their way outside.

      The chauffeur had already been summoned and was waiting for them, with the passenger door open and thankfully, no prying cameras to chart their sudden lack of affection.

      She was taut with anger. Anger at herself, for having become swept up in that kiss—and not just the kiss. The whispered encouraging compliments...the way he had spent the evening touching her in some way or another...the way he had been the perfect newly loved-up boyfriend.

      ‘About as much as I had.’

      The ferocity of his body’s response to that well-timed kiss, which would doubtless be in print somewhere by the following morning, had shocked him. He prided himself on being in control of the situation that had been foisted upon him, and he was annoyed with himself for the unrestrained surge in his libido. Again.

      He propelled her СКАЧАТЬ