Page 49 of Donovan Blake: Passion

“Won’t he be in for a surprise,” Phoebe remarked. “I wish we could see his face when he finds out what he’s done.”

“I wish I could see the reaction from Giles Cavendish,” Peter declared. “He’ll be furious when he learns he’s paying through the nose for just the portrait, and I dare say he won’t tell Kozlov why he wants the frame. But he’s bound to ask for it. ”

“Well he can’t have it!” Donovan said firmly. “Come on, Phoebe.”

“See you two later,” Peter added, “and make yourselves at home at the Lake House. You can take a well-deserve break from all the drama.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

When Phoebe and Donovan reached the lake he pulled the dinghy down to the bank, pushed it into the water and rowed them across to the house. But when they climbed onto the small dock, he suddenly moved his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

“Why is your face so flushed?” he murmured.

“Because you have that look in your eye.”

“What look is that?”

“You’re about to ravage me.”

“You’re right,” he said with wicked grin as he deftly unbuttoned her blouse.

“But Donovan! What if someone comes?”

“Like who?”

“I don’t know,” she exclaimed as he slipped it down her arms and tossed it aside. “A gardener, or Jane and Trevor might decide to join us.”

“I thought you were a risk taker,” he remarked, unsnapping her bra and throwing it on top of her shirt.

“I am, but—”

“But nothing. Take off your slacks…take off everything.”

“You seem to be doing a pretty good job of undressing me without my help.”

Laughing out loud, he quickly stripped while she removed her slacks and underwear.

“I can’t believe I’m standing here naked. I feel so exposed,” she exclaimed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “You are so bad.”

“That’s why we make such a great pair. You are too.”

“Why did we have to do this here? Why not wait until we were in the house?”

“Can’t you guess?”

“I’m almost afraid to ask what you’re—” but before she could finish he picked her up and stepped to the edge of the narrow dock. “No! Not the lake!”

Her protest fell on deaf ears. As she hit the water he jumped in after her, and though she began wildly splashing him he soon had her under control.

“You, Donovan Blake, are a wild man,” she exclaimed, giggling as she tried to squirm out of his grasp, “but that’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”

The words had unexpectedly spilled from her lips. Startled, and not sure what to do or say, she fell quiet and looked across at the willows.

“Do you mean that?” he asked, lowering his voice.

“That you’re a wild man, of course,” she replied flippantly.

“Phoebe, don’t be coy. I have to know…because…I can’t believe I’m saying this...I’ve fallen in love with you.”

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