Read The Buenos Aires Marriage Deal for Free Online Page B

muster against a chest that was like the hardest steel wall.
    ‘Why?’ A silky lock of sable hair flopped sexily across his tanned brow and his expression was mockingly defiant. ‘Because you are afraid I will keep you up all night doing all the things I used to do to you that you professed drove you wild, carino mio? ’
    Capturing the handrail for much-needed support, Briana couldn’t do one thing about the scarlet flush that she knew seared her face. There wasn’t a single inch on her entire body that wasn’t burning up with heat at the images Pascual’s taunting words so vividly conjured up. When it came to making love, the passion and fire in him had always taken her breath away and made her half crazy with loving him and wanting him, she remembered, aching with sudden renewed longing. But she had to be strong!
    ‘I’m here to work…not to provide night-time entertainment for my clients!’ she told him indignantly.
    ‘I’m glad to hear it. Because I have no doubt given the chance the admiring Mr Nichols would be at the head of the queue, amante! ’
    Briana shuddered. ‘Even if that were true, I can assure you I’m not remotely interested in the man.’
    ‘Good.’
    ‘You don’t like him?’
    ‘I have not seen much to make me particularly warm to him as yet,’ Pascual confessed candidly. ‘This is by no means a done deal, you may be surprised to learn. Like I said before…it is not just about money. I have to be certain that my ponies are going to genuine horse-lovers and will be taken care of as excellently and as well as their pedigree and training dictates they should be.’
    ‘The stables that they own at Windsor certainly have an impressive reputation, so I hear.’
    ‘That may be so…But it is a very recent acquisition for our three businessmen friends, having only lately discovered their passion for polo…That is no guarantee that they know how to run a stable successfully or take care of the ponies.’
    ‘Surely there are people there who will know how to do that for them?’
    ‘Even so…’ Pascual shrugged. ‘But that is enough talk of business for tonight.’
    Moving closer, he let his long hands with their surprisingly artistic fingers come to rest either side of Briana’s slender upper arms. ‘I am sure you are aware that I am much more interested in getting you to agree to spend just one more night with me than in discussing anything else.’
    ‘Why?’ Her gaze was steady and direct, even though her heart was racing. ‘For old times’ sake? Or just to prove you can? Let me save you any doubt if doubt—is what you are suffering from, Pascual. Yes, I still find you attractive, and, yes, I could probably quite easily let you seduce me. But we both know in our hearts it wouldn’t be the best of ideas, and it probably wouldn’t leave either of us feeling very good. Not physically…but mentally, psychologically, I mean. What we had was in the past and, however badly it ended, I really think that that’s where it should stay.’
    ‘And leave things as unsatisfactorily unfinished between us as ever?’ His expression was scornful. ‘That may suit you, Briana but it does not suit me. I have already had to wait five years to hear from your own lips a full explanation as to why you left, and learning that you saw my ex kissing me at that party is only the tip of the iceberg, I am sure!’
    ‘I promised I would talk to you tomorrow, didn’t I?’
    ‘Yes, you did. But, as I am already aware to my detriment that your promises are hardly the lasting kind, you can see why I have my doubts.’
    Swallowing hard, Briana felt guilt, regret and dread wash through her with equal force. If her capacity for being honest was in dispute right now, how was Pascual going to react tomorrow when she told him about the son whose existence she had deliberately kept from him? Her legs felt so weak she wondered how on earth she remained standing.
    ‘Very well.’ It seemed he had reluctantly