Page 23 of Signed, Sealed, Married

Gumption? What she had was a huge problem. Because she was transfixed by the look in his eyes. Liking it far too much.

‘Thank you. I think. But it’s probably time we went—’

‘In a moment. This is a golden opportunity to start our campaign.’

‘Campaign?’ Gisèle feigned confusion because suddenly her heart was pounding.

‘To convince the world we’re attracted.’

Then, damn him, his eyes danced, as if he read her breathlessness.

As if now his amusement was at her, not himself.

‘We only met yesterday. No one would believe—’

‘We’re the only ones who know that for sure. Besides, people believe what they want to believe, especially when it’s right before their eyes. A man falling for a beautiful woman.’

Every muscle in Gisèle’s body stiffened at the offhand compliment while something in the pit of her stomach curdled.

Did he actually believe she’d fall for that?

She’d grown up with true beauty. She’d had it hammered into her from adolescence that she’d never meet those high standards. As a result she’d spent years striving to acquire the poise and confidence to present herself as stylish and sophisticated, despite the press and the self-appointed experts so eager to point out her defects.

She opened her mouth to respond when she realised he’d moved, leaning closer.

His fingers brushed her cheek then settled at the back of her neck, warm and heavy. His face closed in on hers and her thoughts frayed.

CHAPTER FIVE

ADAMMOVEDCLOSER, drawn by a force far stronger than the need to feed the paparazzi a story.

Drawn byher. The complex woman who made no effort to attract him yet whose every word, every look, made him want more than he’d wanted in years.

Desire was a scratching under his flesh, a flame in his belly, a heavy throb as he watched her eyes flash, her mouth tighten then soften with each mood change.

He couldn’t define her allure but it was there, strong and vital, like the sparks where his hand touched her skin.

Those lips, wide and sculpted, seemingly innocent in nude lipstick, drew him like a magnet drew metal.

Slowly he lowered his head, anticipating the sweetness of her mouth flowering beneath his. Until a glance at her eyes blasted his excitement. Huge, dark pupils dwarfed her irises, making her look, for a second, stricken.

Because of him? Did she detest him so much?

Warning bells jangled and he was about to pull back. Except her expression changed, eyelids drooping in lazy anticipation and lips parting as she lifted her face, that second of distress vanishing.

He’d never had such conflicting messages from a woman.

Gisèle leaned in, her warm fragrance teasing him, his doubts undermined as her palm settled on his chest. Her fingers spread as if to absorb his thundering heartbeat.

He heard a sigh, the merest waft of air, but it tangled his thoughts and muffled his doubts.

Adam captured her free hand, their fingers curling together. He closed the space between them. But instead of lowering his mouth to hers as he’d intended, he pressed his lips to her forehead, his kiss as chaste as a brother’s.

Since when did he do chaste?

Yet his eyes shut as a rush of emotion enveloped him.

Protectiveness?

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