Page 54 of Signed, Sealed, Married

‘You don’t still compare yourself with your mother, do you?’

‘Not any more.’

She didn’t sound convincing and pain pierced him.

Adam rolled onto his side to face her, wrapping both arms around her. ‘Your mother was a very beautiful woman. If you like predictable sweetness.’

‘Sorry? Predictable?’

‘Nothing wrong with that. Clearly the cameras loved her. But I prefer a different kind of beauty. Something deeper and more honest than mere prettiness.’

Gisèle struggled to prop herself up on an elbow, looking down at him. ‘You’re talking rubbish. Is this you feeling sorry for me and trying to make me feel better? My mother was one of the most beautiful women in the world.’

Gisèle’s eyes flashed, her cheeks were flushed and her lips formed a pout of disapproval that was the single most alluring thing he’d ever seen. Guilt forgotten, his body reacted with a rush of adrenaline and a surge of blood to the groin.

‘I’m telling the truth. You can trust me for that.’ He was regularly dubbed brash, rude or a maverick because he favoured blunt honesty to sugar-coated half-truths or downright lies. ‘Your mother was gorgeous and so are you. But personally I find a pinch of spice more appealing than a bowl of sugar. Her beauty was real but...predictable. Yours has depth and power. If you don’t believe me, pay more attention next time you do a press conference. Look into the eyes of the men there and you’ll see what I mean. You’re beautiful, Gisèle.’

Beautiful, he’d called her.

Could she believe him?

Something needy and eager had twisted inside her. Even if it had only been an attempt to make her feel good, it had worked. Not because she wanted to be beautiful—she’d stopped fretting over that years ago. But because it showed Adamcared. It surprised her how much that meant. How moved she was by his consideration.

Gisèle looked across the conference table to where he sat, listening to the presentation, willing him to turn and smile at her. She wanted to see his eyes soften as they had last night.

But since entering the conference room there’d been no sign of last night’s tender lover. No shimmer of admiration in his eyes. He’d avoided looking at her and had taken his usual seat on the other side, surrounded by his team.

She’d never felt the distance between them more.

She told herself Adam was treating her as a professional in a professional situation. Yet it wasn’t just in the meeting. There’d been a change earlier.

In the dawn light she’d turned to him, snuggling close and brushing her lips across his flesh, hoping to tempt him into sex again. Their first time had been magnificent and she was eager to try it again.

But Adam had mumbled something and rolled away, leaving her staring at the wide angle of his shoulders and smooth back.

Gisèle had beensurehe was awake.

A woman more confident in her sex appeal would have shaken him awake, if he weren’t already, and seduced him. She’d been tempted, but physical intimacy was so new...

And you still doubt yourself.

It was frustrating but true. It took more than one profoundly beautiful, erotic experience to change a lifetime’s thinking.

Later she’d woken alone. Adam was long gone, judging by the cool sheets. He’d left a note saying he didn’t want to disturb her and he’d understand if she stayed in bed rather than attending the meeting.

So much for breakfasting together in bed, lingering there for more pleasure.

She’d checked the time, shot out of bed and into the shower. There’d been just enough time to gulp down a croissant and coffee before leaving.

The one bright spot had been Adam’s reaction as she walked into his suite on the way to the car. His eyes had lit up and there’d been no mistaking his pleasure or the heat in that brilliant stare.

She’d crossed the room in her tailored suit and kissed him, sinking into his tall frame and feeling her tense muscles ease as he’d pulled her close and kissed her back with a fervour that made her head spin.

In his arms she hadn’t felt like a businesswoman or a commercial asset acquired to enhance profits. She felt desirable and appreciated. Powerful.

Except moments later he’d pulled away, murmuring about the time and the urgent call he needed to make on the way.

They’d spent the drive on opposite sides of the limo’s wide back seat, Adam deep in discussion on his phone. Only his long fingers around hers on the seat between them had eased the creeping feeling that something had gone wrong between them.

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