Page 38 of Signed, Sealed, Married

His deep voice was soft, almost lost beneath the conversations and laughter. Yet she heard the cadence like a thrum in her blood.

His fingers threaded through hers as she turned to meet his searing gaze.

There it was. That pulse. That throb in the air. The sound of the crowd was muted and she felt cocooned in a bubble with Adam.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I know I’ve asked a lot and you’ve been...magnificent.’

With his sombre expression and serious eyes he wasn’t just talking about tonight, she realised. Was this his apology for the devil’s bargain he’d foisted on her?

Gisèle stared. Was it possible? Or did she read too much into simple thanks?

‘Because I don’t look like a nun any more?’

His eyes widened. ‘Ah, you heard that. I’d hoped you hadn’t. Blake was completely out of line, that’s why we left so quickly. It was either that or deck him for his insults.’

She blinked. ‘You thought him insulting? But you said...’

‘I said you looked sophisticated, and you do. Marvellously so. You’ve got more class in your fingertip than all the other women at his party put together. And, for the record,’ his voice dropped to a marrow-deep rumble, ‘I like your severe suits almost as much as I enjoy you wearing something blatantly sexy like tonight.’

Then, to her astonishment, Adam lifted her hand and bent his head, kissing her knuckles, the brush of his lips surprisingly soft. She’d never have guessed any part of him could feel so soft. It belied his appearance of tough masculinity.

The caress left a fiery trail in its wake and she gasped, fingers clenching into his for support.

The world stood still as, mouth still hot against her hand, he looked up under slashing straight brows and their eyes locked.

She’d never seen a more charismatic man. Never felt such insistent drumming need. Her nipples tightened to thrusting points. Her breath was a silent sigh. Deep inside there was a loosening, a softening that told its own story about her desires.

Despair laced her wonder. At how potent his appeal. He invested a few words and a simple gesture with such irresistible allure that he undid her completely. He hadn’t even needed privacy to do it.

A gleam of silver caught her eye, drawing her attention to a woman in a rhinestone dress, raising her phone in their direction.

The unspoken rule of this very exclusive event was no unsolicited photos inside. There were enough on the red carpet at the entrance.

The woman paused when she realised she’d been seen.

Gisèle leaned into Adam. ‘Kiss me,’ she whispered.

Because they were due to marry in a quiet ‘elopement’ wedding in a week and Julien still didn’t buy their romance. A photo of them kissing would surely convince him.

That was the sane explanation for her invitation.

It was an excuse, because in that moment she finally surrendered. She wanted, needed Adam’s lips on hers.

Instead of accepting the invitation, Adam lifted his head, frowning. ‘What—?’

‘You said you wouldn’t touch me without an invitation. This is your invitation.’

Adam was known for decisiveness, yetnowhe questioned! She leaned in, breasts brushing his arm and making her shiver at the delicious contact. ‘There’s a woman sneaking a photo. It’s the perfect moment for a public kiss.’

But instead of complying, Adam straightened to his full height, leaving her stunned and bereft. She’d wanted,neededhis mouth on hers. She swayed a little on her heels as he turned his head to look at the woman in silver, his features set like chiselled stone.

Gisèle saw the woman wilt under his scathing stare, before slipping her phone into her purse and scurrying away.

‘I think not.’ Adam’s voice was a deep thread of disapproval that jerked Gisèle back to reality.

Had she got it wrong? Was his possessive behaviour merely fodder for the gossips? Cracks splintered her shiny triumph.

She tugged her hand, needing space. But his fingers closed around hers, refusing to release her. Far from stepping away he bent towards her so his murmured words feathered her flushed face.

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