Read Online Heart Matters by tani shane - Free Book Online

people. Poor dear, I almost forgot him.”
    Forgot him ? Jessica wondered, as she
willingly rose to follow Niki. Who in the world could forget him ? She felt Adam’s hand at her elbow and lifted her eyes
to give him an absent smile. When her eyes left his face, she
wondered why his tan appeared so pale. One look at Niki’s date
answered the question. The bronze of the skin was much darker than
Adam’s.
    He stood up as they approached and she saw
that he was at least two inches taller than Adam. His eyes had not
left her face and when she was close enough she felt a strange
weakness in the pit of her stomach. His eyes; they were a deep,
navy blue and they were baring her soul.
    “Jessi,” Niki said, tucking her arm in his,
“I’d like you to meet Steven Hart. And Steve, this is my cousin
Jessica Cantrell and her fiancé Adam Warring.”
    Jessica drew in a sharp breath of surprise.
Steven Hart? This man was the Steven Hart?
    “Well,” the deep baritone of his voice
parted his sensuous lips and she noticed the fathomless blue of his
eyes burning into her face. “If it isn’t Jeff Cantrell’s baby
sister in person.” His lips parted in a mind blowing smile that
transformed the sardonic look on his face and made her go weak in
the knees. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Jessica.”
    Jessica stood before him so completely awed
by his overwhelming presence that she didn’t take offence to being
called Jeff Cantrell’s baby sister. It was only when she felt
Adam’s sharp nudge on her elbow that she realized she was staring
impolitely. “Er..Mr. Hart, it’s ..nice to meet you too,” she
spluttered, offering her hand.
    “Indeed,” his voice boomed covering her soft
hand in his large one. The sharp jolt that she received was so
unexpected that she backed away slightly, bumping into Adam. He
released her hand to shake hands with Adam but kept her eyes
captive with his. “It’s a pity we couldn’t meet this morning. And
please call me Steven.”
    “Y..yes, I was.. caught up in traffic.” She
glanced at Adam remembering their encounter the previous night and
flushed uncomfortably.
    “Ah!” was all Steven Hart uttered but it had
the sheer force to have her eyes flying back at him. His face once
again held a cynical look and it somehow irritated her. “Would you
two care to join us for dinner?”
    “Of course they would!” Niki chipped in,
having remained quiet for longer than she was capable. “I don’t
expect your brother’s showing up anyway so we don’t have to wait
for him. And Jessi tells me they just got engaged.”
    Jessica noticed the strange look that passed
fleetingly across Steven’s features but it left so abruptly that
she couldn’t discern it. Instead she could feel his intense gaze
once again piercing through her soul. “Well, I guess
congratulations are in order,” he said simply but Jessica sensed a
restrained note in his voice.
    She pulled herself together and scolded
herself silently for behaving like a star-struck teenager. What was
the matter with her? Why had she let this man have such an earth
shattering effect on her? For heaven’s sake, Steven Hart was just a
man. He’s also the hottest man you have ever met , a sly
little voice told her and she felt her cheeks flush. Stop
it! she told herself sternly and deliberately turned to smile
affectionately at Adam.
    His arm came possessively around her waist
in response and when they seated themselves, he took her hand and
placed it on his thigh. The intimate gesture embarrassed Jessica
making her wonder if their companions had noticed it. One look at
Steven’s mocking smile told her he had noticed it all right and she
unconsciously lifted her defiant chin. The blatant amusement in his
eyes made her bristle with irritation.
    Damn him! As though it was any of his
business what she did with Adam! She drew in a deep breath
determined not to let him spoil her evening and succeeded quiet
pleasantly. She was well aware that she