glass. I feel a total loss of control. I don’t like that.”
“You’re beautiful and warm. There’s nothing that’s unbelievable about you.”
His respect and admiration for her dug itself deep into his mind with every minute they spent together. She lived alone in the world, but he never heard a single word of resentment. Without a doubt she’d given her life to serve others.
While he’d been walking beside Mandy earlier, she’d told him Moira had been divorced for a year and only married for two. His thoughts had flown back to last night, and the man who cheated on his wife. He wouldn’t be surprised to hear Moira’s husband had left her for someone else. The guy was a fucking idiot if he had. Then again, if he hadn’t, destiny wouldn’t have pushed her into his path.
Listening to her, and watching her interact with her crew he recognized her caring nature. Until she felt she had something relevant or substantial to say, she remained quiet and reserved. She had a bold but peaceful strength, not to mention a gorgeous set of legs.
“Uh-huh. We’re standing in the mecca of beautiful women, irresistible women practically dripping onto the sidewalks, and you think I’m beautiful.” She twisted her hands together but quickly put them behind her back to hide her nervousness. Her eyes hardened as she stared at him. “You look confused.”
“Maybe I am.”
“What’s this really all about?”
“What’s it about?” He stared thoughtfully into the sharp blue of the sky. “Well—it’s about a man looking across a blackjack table and seeing the sweetest woman he’s ever seen, the sweetest smile he’s ever seen, sit down across from him.” He took a slow step toward her as if approaching a wild mare, not wanting to spook her. “It’s about a man who usually gets what he wants until he meets a woman who he really wants, and she puts him in his place.” He took another step. They were only a breath away from each other. “Something like that. When I looked in your eyes last night I had to know who you were.”
“Is that fair? When you won’t tell me who you are?”
The question fell off her lips and landed in the sand with a thunk. He reached out and placed his hand on her cheek. “Does it really matter?”
“Of course it matters. Someone hired you, is that it? This is a big joke that my staff is having on me, isn’t it?”
“Okay, so you think I’m an escort for hire, is that it?” He broke out laughing.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she roared, thrusting his hand from her cheek. She walked over to a boulder and sat down. “If you’re important enough for people to know who you are in this town then one, you’re a gangster, two, you’re some kind of over-the-top important person, and three—if you’re either of those things you certainly shouldn’t be looking at me.”
He grinned at her, and knelt at her feet. He gently covered her hand with his own. That suspicious little look she wore was more than adorable. “Well, what would you prefer, over-the-top exec or mobster? Or maybe,” he said, rising to his full height then leaned over her, hot, bothered, and needing to feel the fire burning behind those siren eyes. “I’ll go for the escort. You wouldn’t want your crew to have spent all that money, and not take advantage of it.”
She leaned away the closer he came.
“God, you truly are the most sincere woman I’ve ever met. You’re not the only one who’s feeling a loss of control.” He knew he would be making a lot of time and good reasons to travel to Vancouver in the near future. “Is that the scariest look you have in your arsenal, Moira Viterra? Because it’s only making me want you more.”
His lips fell on her like a tidal wave striking the shore as he lifted her into his arms. His strength swarmed around her, incapacitating her will as he carried her with ease, and laid her down in the sand. A blazing need scorched a trail in his mind, pinning his desire for
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