Read Online Sweet Seduction by Jennifer St George - Free Book Online Page A

again as his mouth curved into a slow, sexy smile. A tingling heat washed through her body. The engagement was pretend, but this felt so real. He possessed a softer side. He must trust her to reveal himself so openly.
    ‘Is it to your liking?’ His dark eyes glittered seductively in the candlelight.
    ‘I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,’ she whispered.
    ‘I have,’ he said, standing and pulling her gently to her feet. ‘You.’
    He drew her in, giving her no reason to pull away. She didn’t want to. She wanted to . . . thank him. That’s all. But already her body tingled with desire.
    He bent and skimmed his lips against the side of her neck. She shuddered with anticipation.
    ‘I know this is against the rules . . .’ he whispered.
    He lightly kissed her earlobe. She could barely breathe as his arms slipped around her waist and he drew her closer. His hard body felt so tempting against her, as the air around them seemed alive with electricity.
    ‘But as we are engaged . . .’ He kissed the sensitive skin below her ear. ‘I think . . .’ His hand slid up her naked back. She dragged in a hitched breath as her nipples hardened against his chest. She wanted his lips on hers, now.
    He cupped the back of her head. ‘Just one . . .’ His lips claimed hers and her senses roared into overdrive. Her heart pounded against her ribcage as desire pumped through her body. She ran her hand down his back. He deepened the kiss.
    ‘Is everything —’ The waiter disappeared as quickly as he’d arrived.
    Antonio stepped away from her.
    ‘We should finish dinner,’ he said abruptly, leaving her panting. She stumbled as she sat heavily in her seat.
    He sat as if nothing had happened between them. Grabbing her champagne, she drank deeply of the cool liquid. Gradually the ability to speak returned.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said, holding up her ring finger. ‘I love it. You shouldn’t have.’
    ‘Yes, I should.’
    Something in his tone made her look sharply at his face. The warmth had faded. Before she could comment, the waiter arrived with more champagne and congratulations.
    She fought the disquiet that tugged at her mind as she accepted the congratulations. Had the emotion all been an act? It couldn’t have been. It must have been for her – they were alone, shielded from prying eyes.
    Their meals arrived. Antonio chatted amiably to the waiter. No, she’d definitely glimpsed something behind Antonio’s emotionless mask. She was sure of it.
    ‘How’s the fish?’ he asked.
    ‘Wonderful.’
    ‘The lamb is better.’ But he said it with a smile.
    ‘You’re not used to this, are you?’
    ‘To what?’
    ‘Someone not doing exactly as they’re told.’
    ‘I don’t know, you were pretty compliant just now.’ A cheeky smile played about his mouth.
    Heat flashed in her cheeks. ‘That’s not fair. I didn’t have a chance.’
    He looked at her through dark lashes. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked innocently.
    ‘We’re in Venice, in a private booth in the city’s best restaurant, with champagne, soft lights,’ she said, indicating their sumptuous surrounds. ‘And you present me with a diamond the size of an apricot. What’s a girl to do?’
    He raised his eyebrows.
    Her eyes narrowed. ‘You planned the whole thing.’
    ‘Of course. I plan everything.’
    ‘You couldn’t plan how I would react?’
    ‘No, but you performed beautifully.’ He winced. He clearly hadn’t meant to use those words.
    ‘Performed?’ She frowned. ‘What do you mean, “performed”?’ She looked about. Was somebody watching?
    His brow creased. ‘I’ll explain later.’
    She placed her cutlery down on the plate. ‘How about you explain now?’
    ‘We don’t have time. We need to finish dinner and get to the opera house. It’s a few minutes’ walk from here.’
    ‘I’m not leaving until you explain.’
    He leant back in his chair and regarded her carefully. ‘You knew, didn’t you?’
    ‘Knew