Page 34 of Signed, Sealed, Married

Some of her indignation melted.

Until she remembered he was the man who’d hurt her.

That was the scariest thing. After continually being compared unfavourably with her mother in looks, deportment, sex appeal and charm, Gisèle had learned to brush off such comparisons. It had taken years to turn herself into a poised, chic businesswoman. Longer to believe in herself so barbed slurs no longer pained her.

But now she felt pain. Because ofthisman’s dismissal.

He reached out, long fingers closing around her arm. ‘Gisèle? Talk to me.’

He leaned closer and, as if to make a mockery of her fury, his rich, indefinable yet utterly beguiling scent filled her nostrils, making her body soften. She felt that familiar stirring, her mouth drying and nipples budding.

Because, despite everything, she desired him!

Then, as if the universe hadn’t dealt enough blows, she saw, in the shadows behind him, a figure with a raised camera.

No wonder Adam was solicitous!

He must have seen the cameraman. His concerned frown and caring tone were props, not real.

His acting now was better than at the party when it had been clear to anyone who looked that he’d rather ogle naked starlets than her.

‘You want to know what’s wrong? This. Us. Everything!’

Instead of ripping her arm free, Gisèle thrust her head forward, leaning close.

She waited for Adam to laugh off her words. Remind her she’d agreed to this deal and had to go along with it.

That was all it would take to tip her over the edge and make such a scene even the mighty Adam Wilde wouldn’t be able to smooth it over.

When he remained silent she whispered for his ears alone, ‘What’s the matter, Adam? Don’t tell me you’re going to disappoint the paparazzo? You’re doing a great job, pretending concern for me.’

‘Paparazzo?’ His fingers tightened around her arm. ‘That’s why you’re upset?’

‘Why aren’t you taking advantage of the moment? I thought at least you’d engineer a clinch. Think of those millions of readers who get their titillation gasping over made-up stories about people they don’t know. Maybe we should move into the light. Then they will see us more clearly to comment on what we’re wearing.’

Gisèle imagined it easily. Adam’s warm embrace, his head lowering to kiss her, only this time not on the forehead but the lips.

When he did she’d bite his bottom lip as hard as she could and stab her high-heeled shoe on his instep. No woman should be forced to sell herself as she was being forced.

But what would happen to Julien then? And the company employees?

A shuddering breath filled her lungs as Gisèle came back to reality with a sickening thud.

You have to do this. You know you do.

Her vision smeared as unaccustomed tears filled her eyes. Tears of fury, not hurt.

The shadowed face before her was unreadable.

They stood close, his body blocking hers from the camera, his hand now lax on her arm. Then to her amazement Adam said in a voice she’d never heard, ‘You’re right. Go inside, Gisèle. It’s late and you must be tired.’

He ushered her towards the door. Neither glanced at the figure hiding at the end of the building.

A minute later she stood in the darkened foyer, the main door closing behind her with Adam on the outside. He hadn’t played up the scene for the press. Nor had he berated her.

She didn’t understand it.

But that was the least of her worries.

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