Read Online Hiring Cupid by Jane Beckenham - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jane Beckenham
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Seconds ticked by and she thought she couldn't stand another moment, that her overwhelming need to touch and feel, to taste Marco's lips on hers, would send her over the edge.
But what on earth was she thinking?
An affair with a stranger? That wasn't her.
With a sharp groan, she wrenched herself from his grip and spun on her heels, racing for her room and slammed the door so hard it rocked on its hinges with a fierce shudder.
Wake up. This is paradise, fake reality. Carly sank down onto a cane chair and dropped her head into her hands. Heaven help her, she was just like her mother and sisters.
For a long, silent while she shut herself in her room sitting beside the window overlooking the golden sand. She hugged a cushion to her chest and stared numbly out at the view. A seagull, perched atop a craggy rock pool uncovered by low tide, cawed several times before flapping its wingspan and taking to the clear skies. Such a peaceful existence. No worries, no cares.
No dreams!
Carly sprang up. She didn't want to think about dreams, wild or otherwise. She had goals—clear, determined, get-out-of-my-way-I'm-coming sort of goals. Goals that didn't include a fantasy four-day fling, or any other sort of fling for that matter, and definitely not with a stranger.
With shoulders squared, and a determined set to her jaw once more, she eyed her reflection in the mirror. Wild hair haloed her elfin face and she screwed her nose up in distaste as she spied the light spattering of sun kisses.
Eyes, the color of deepest emerald and flecked with shards of gold stared back. They were alive with excitement.
Outside she heard Marco moving about and for a moment she stared at the closed bedroom door. She couldn't stay locked away. She had to go out and face her demons.
And right now, Marco Valente was her demon.
A tentative smile tilted the soft curve of her mouth. She scraped the pad of her thumb over her lips and for a fraction of a second her eyes shuttered as she remembered his touch, the feel of his body pressed against hers. His lips on hers, pliant and inviting, and definitely delicious. Oh yes, he was a demon to be handled with kid gloves. He needed a sign tattooed on his forehead— handle with care . She hadn't been prepared for Marco Valente.
"Feeding time at the zoo,” she announced as she opened the door with a flourish.
"I thought you had gone into hibernation?” he called as she stepped out from her sanctuary.
"Just a minor set back."
"Set back?” His eyes darkened. “I hope nothing serious."
"Nope. Everything is fine, absolutely dandy, and back on track."
"Back on track?"
Carly laughed. “Do you always repeat what people say?"
But he didn't smile. His expression was deadly serious. “Only when I'm completely lost as to the change in a person.” He turned away abruptly.
"Where are you going?"
"Out.” He shot back over his shoulder. “This genie is taking a break."
"Trust a man,” Carly muttered. “Can't stand the heat in the kitchen, they take off."
Damn it. Where had she heard that before? Heard it, and lived it.
"You don't know the meaning of heat ,” Marco snarled. “Perhaps I should show you.” In two long strides he closed the gap between them and pulled her to him, crushing her in the circle of his arms. “Heat, cara , is this.” Swiftly, his lips sought hers. Hard and demanding it sent a shiver spiraling up and down her spine, easing only a fraction when he nibbled the corner of her mouth, his tongue flicking over the kiss-swollen pad of her bottom lip.
Full-blown pleasure radiated to the very tips of Carly's fingers. She laced her arms around his neck, and slid the tips of her fingers through is silky hair. It was so soft. She let out a mewling gasp of delight.
It was all the invitation Marco needed and his tongue teased a sensuous dance with hers, hands caressing her back, cupping the curve of her buttocks, pressing her into his hardness.
Carly felt it all and it thrilled her. Her
But what on earth was she thinking?
An affair with a stranger? That wasn't her.
With a sharp groan, she wrenched herself from his grip and spun on her heels, racing for her room and slammed the door so hard it rocked on its hinges with a fierce shudder.
Wake up. This is paradise, fake reality. Carly sank down onto a cane chair and dropped her head into her hands. Heaven help her, she was just like her mother and sisters.
For a long, silent while she shut herself in her room sitting beside the window overlooking the golden sand. She hugged a cushion to her chest and stared numbly out at the view. A seagull, perched atop a craggy rock pool uncovered by low tide, cawed several times before flapping its wingspan and taking to the clear skies. Such a peaceful existence. No worries, no cares.
No dreams!
Carly sprang up. She didn't want to think about dreams, wild or otherwise. She had goals—clear, determined, get-out-of-my-way-I'm-coming sort of goals. Goals that didn't include a fantasy four-day fling, or any other sort of fling for that matter, and definitely not with a stranger.
With shoulders squared, and a determined set to her jaw once more, she eyed her reflection in the mirror. Wild hair haloed her elfin face and she screwed her nose up in distaste as she spied the light spattering of sun kisses.
Eyes, the color of deepest emerald and flecked with shards of gold stared back. They were alive with excitement.
Outside she heard Marco moving about and for a moment she stared at the closed bedroom door. She couldn't stay locked away. She had to go out and face her demons.
And right now, Marco Valente was her demon.
A tentative smile tilted the soft curve of her mouth. She scraped the pad of her thumb over her lips and for a fraction of a second her eyes shuttered as she remembered his touch, the feel of his body pressed against hers. His lips on hers, pliant and inviting, and definitely delicious. Oh yes, he was a demon to be handled with kid gloves. He needed a sign tattooed on his forehead— handle with care . She hadn't been prepared for Marco Valente.
"Feeding time at the zoo,” she announced as she opened the door with a flourish.
"I thought you had gone into hibernation?” he called as she stepped out from her sanctuary.
"Just a minor set back."
"Set back?” His eyes darkened. “I hope nothing serious."
"Nope. Everything is fine, absolutely dandy, and back on track."
"Back on track?"
Carly laughed. “Do you always repeat what people say?"
But he didn't smile. His expression was deadly serious. “Only when I'm completely lost as to the change in a person.” He turned away abruptly.
"Where are you going?"
"Out.” He shot back over his shoulder. “This genie is taking a break."
"Trust a man,” Carly muttered. “Can't stand the heat in the kitchen, they take off."
Damn it. Where had she heard that before? Heard it, and lived it.
"You don't know the meaning of heat ,” Marco snarled. “Perhaps I should show you.” In two long strides he closed the gap between them and pulled her to him, crushing her in the circle of his arms. “Heat, cara , is this.” Swiftly, his lips sought hers. Hard and demanding it sent a shiver spiraling up and down her spine, easing only a fraction when he nibbled the corner of her mouth, his tongue flicking over the kiss-swollen pad of her bottom lip.
Full-blown pleasure radiated to the very tips of Carly's fingers. She laced her arms around his neck, and slid the tips of her fingers through is silky hair. It was so soft. She let out a mewling gasp of delight.
It was all the invitation Marco needed and his tongue teased a sensuous dance with hers, hands caressing her back, cupping the curve of her buttocks, pressing her into his hardness.
Carly felt it all and it thrilled her. Her
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