I felt right now as if I despised him-not just for my own sake, but for the sake of my sister, as well. Will had been right. Dear gentle Faith would never have been able to stand up to this man. I considered myself far tougher, knew I was having a time of it myself. How dare he judge me on such thin evidence....my worn-out couch and fledgling business. I couldn't abide people who tallied up a person's worth in such a superficial, materialistic way. But at the same time that I despised him, some powerful undercurrent of attraction, compelling and electric, arced between us. It was a force that ugged at me, forcing me to meet his gaze as he slowly moved toward me, across the dimly lit room
Finally he stood before me. Inches away. I thought to step back, but my legs felt rooted to the spot. All I could do was stare up at him, studying he hard lines of his too handsome face, his large,dark eyes, his wide, soft mouth.....
"Go ahead. Just try to deny it,"' he challenged me.
"Deny what? I asked, genenuinely confused. my thoughts had wandered His nearmess had totally distracted my, short-circuited her rational mind.
"Deny that you plan to marry my brother he insisted. "Tomorrow, in fact, at the First Church."
"I have no intention now, nor have I ever wished to marry your brother, I answered honestly.
Though I could not deny that for the purposes of throwing Brian Adams private investigators on the wrong scent, I , Will and Faith had done all we could to create a convincing, false trail, including taking out a marriage license in town and printing a phony engagement announcement in the local paper. All in the hopes of luring Brian to Texas while. Will and Faith were off to some mystery location, tying the knot.
"Don't lie to me," he replied in a low, threatening tone. He moved even closer and I tipped her head back to look up at him.
I know," I said, interrupting. I've been warned. You can't stand pretense..... especially from a female."
He didn't say anything. Just continued to stare down at me, a grim, unreadable expression on his face. Deep in his eyes I saw a flash of fire-was it anger? Or desire?
When I felt his large hands grip my upper arms, I wasn't surprised. His hold was firm, and I felt the warmth of his hands through my robe. I had the sense that if I struggled against him, his grip would tighten. But somehow the thought didn't scare me
"I can't see you with my brother, he said in a low, intimate tone that made me heartbeat race. "You're not his type. Not at all."
"Oh, really? I replied, vaguely amused. "Am I too tall do you think? Too...brash?"
"You're a handful. The kind who needs a stronger man than my brother at the helm, I'll tell you that much."
"But we've only met, what...? Ten minutes ago? How could you have any idea what type I am?" I insisted.
"Oh, but I do," he assured me in a deep, quiet voice. "I know all about you, Olivia Christopher. All I need to know. Believe me," he promised.
he pulled her imperceptibly closer? I couldn't be sure. Yet I was suddenly conscious of his nearness, the heat of his body, the scent of his skin. I couldn't hold his gaze any longer and suddenly looked away. I felt in over my head. Way over my head.
"Are you blushing? He cupped me chin in his hand and turned my face back toward his so that I had no choice but to look at him. "Hmm, you are. How charming," he said sweetly.
"Didn't take you for the blushing type. Or is this some further performance? Hoping to find my sympathetic side?"
"Your...sympathetic side?" I stammered.
"You sound surprised. Don't you think I have one?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Once again, I tried to pull away from his grasp, but he held me firmly, forcing me to look directly in his eyes. Somehow I'd managed to sound calm and unmoved, I thought, despite the tremors that shook me within. His face was so close to mine, barely a breath away, and as his gaze dropped down to my mouth. some inner alarm sounded, warming that he was about to kiss me.
"Ridiculous...yes, of course," he murmured in a husky tone, still staring hungrily down at me lips. "I assure you, Ms. Christopher , I'm trying very hard not to be."
Then his dark head dipped toward mine, and hisvhand lifted my chin. I thought to pull away. to make some forceful protest, but all I could do was lift my hands and press them again his chest The sensation of his firm muscles against my fingertips wasn't the dash of cold water I needed at the moment. To the contrary, making contact with his hard, warm body had just the opposite effect, shutting down mt powers. I sighed and closed my eyes-as much a sign of pure frustration with myself as a sign of my surrender. it was all the encouragement Brian needed, and in a heartbeat I felt myself pulled into his hard embrace, my mouth covered by the seeking seductive touch of his lips.