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was nothing compared to this one. He knew just how to touch her to decimate every last ounce of
control. He breached her defenses and slipped inside with an ease that shook her to the core.
And in that moment, he turned her world upside down.
She heard a harsh groan and couldn t tell if it emanated from his throat or hers. All she knew was
that it sounded primal and desperate. She d gone without this for too long, she was forced to
concede. She d been stripped of something she hadn t even realized she needed. He was her air.
Her heartbeat. Her sustenance and her reason for being. How had she survived all this time
without him?
Unable to help herself, she wrapped herself around him and gave. And then she gave more,
putting all the longing and hope and despair into that one single kiss. She had no idea how long
they stood there, their breath coming in urgent pants, hands groping, bodies pressing.
Perhaps she d never have surfaced if she hadn t suddenly felt a tingling awareness that they were
being watched. Shoving at his shoulders, she pushed him back, or tried to, for all the good it did
her. The man was as immovable as an oak, and because of his height, he blocked her view of
whomever had witnessed their embrace. All she caught was a fleeting glimpse of red.
 Playtime s over, she managed to say.
It took him a minute to release her and another one after that for her to recover her equilibrium
and attempt to walk down the hallway. Thank God she d worn sensible shoes. If she d tried to
maneuver on her usual heels, her shaky legs would have pitched her straight onto her backside.
He must have picked up on the results of his handiwork because his rumble of laughter followed
her down the hallway, as did he.
 Seriously, I need to work, Gabe, she said, attempting to dismiss him. She gave her walkie-
talkie a cursory check to make sure she hadn t accidentally bumped the volume knob. To her
relief, she saw that it was on and working just fine.
 I won t get in your way. I have a legitimate reason for following you.
 Which is?
 I need to watch how your run your business. Just in case.
 Just in case& what? she asked distractedly.
 Just in case you change your mind and ask for my help.
She stopped dead in her tracks and faced him.  That isn t going to happen. I can t meet your
price. She shook her head.  Correction. I won t meet it.
He only had to lift a single eyebrow for her to consider what had happened just moments ago,
and realize that her claim rang a little hollow.  Time will tell, he limited himself to saying.
She waved him aside with an impatient hand and looked around, not sure where she was or how
she d gotten there. What the hell had she been going to do when he d interrupted her? She was
utterly clueless. With an irritated sigh, she turned on her heel and headed back the way she d
come. Giving the checklist another cursory glance, she stepped outside. She d do a quick
walkthrough and inspect each of the various stations. Then she d touch bases with the caterers
She snapped her fingers. The caterers. That s where she d intended to go. She needed to
coordinate the presentation of the cake.
She spared Gabe a brief glance. If she turned around yet again, she d confirm how thoroughly
he d rattled her, which would never do. No point in giving him that much of an advantage.
Instead, she d keep moving forward and circle back once she d ditched him. She crossed the
beautifully manicured lawn toward Lake Washington, pausing at the demarcation between grass
and imported white sand. She took a moment to gaze out across the dark water. And all the while
a painful awareness surged through her.
 You ve done an incredible job, Catherine, Gabe said quietly.  The gondolas are a particularly
special touch. I m sure it reminds Alessandro of his home in Italy.
Catherine smiled at the sight of the distinctive boats and the gondoliers manning them, all of
whom were decked out in their traditional garb of black slacks, black-and-white-striped shirts [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]