Page 32 of Expecting His Billion-Dollar Scandal
‘Why am I only hearing about this now?’
‘Does it matter?’
‘Luca, I have no experience when it comes to...to that kind of thing...’
‘What kind of thing?’
‘I don’t even know what a charity galaentails!’
‘Lots of important people meeting up to have fun while raising money for one or more designated charities. The women will all be dressed to the nines, hence one of the reasons for this shopping trip taking place today.’
‘I’m never going to fit in!’
‘Don’t be negative, Cordelia. You have a fortnight to get used to the idea. These things may be tedious but we’re not talking about water torture.’
‘The closest I’ve come to anything like that in my life before,’ she protested in a high-pitched voice, ‘were the monthly do’s at the village hall! I’m thinking that a charity gala isn’t going to be in the same league.’
‘I would never have taken you for someone so lacking in confidence.’
‘I feel out of my depth.’
Luca paused, hitched his sunglasses to the top of his head and looked at her so seriously and so intently that Cordelia could feel hot colour race into her cheeks.
Now he’s seeing what he’s let himself in for,she thought miserably.I’m just an ordinary girl from a Cornish village and no amount of fancy dress can ever change that. Is this the pointwhen he decides that marriage might not be such a great idea after all?
She was astonished at the gaping hole that opened up inside her at the prospect.
It was one thing for him to hitch his wagon to the mother of his child, but quite another to hitch it to a woman who could never possibly live up to his exalted lifestyle.
She stared down at the wildly unfashionable sandals she had brought over with her and started when she felt the graze of his finger against her burning cheek.
‘Don’t worry,’ Luca murmured. He tilted her chin upwards and their eyes met and held. ‘You can lean on me. I have no intention of letting you flounder.’
Cordelia blinked.
Every straining muscle in her body was propelling her forward, one small step then another.
She was barely aware of herself leaning up or of her mouth parting, inviting more than just a casual touch.
She closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure as Luca’s mouth descended.
What was going on here? Luca despised public displays of affection. Since when did he do stuff like this? But he was in the grip of something far more powerful than common sense and he plundered her mouth with scant regard for who might or might not be watching.
It was the least cool thing he had ever done in his life before.
But the feel of her lips, her darting tongue, the soft shudder of her body so close to his...
Irresistible.
He drew apart with reluctance and stared down at her.
‘We...have things to do...’ He raked his fingers through his hair and shifted restlessly. The only thing he wanted to do was grab her hand, head for his car, which was parked less than ten minutes away, and take her back to his house and straight into his bed. ‘Clothes to buy,’ he muttered thickly.
‘My makeover. I know. Sorry. I got...’ She couldn’t keep looking at him because she would just want to kiss him again. ‘I got a little carried away...’
‘I think that getting a little carried away is allowed.’ He held her hand, linking his fingers through hers in a gesture that felt strangely intimate. ‘After all...’ he smiled raggedly ‘...it’s not as though we aren’t in the most intimate place two people could be in. Yes, getting a little carried away...’ he breathed deeply, getting a grip ‘...is definitely allowed, don’t you think?’
Sex, Cordelia thought pragmatically. That was what it was about. That chemistry between them was still alive and kicking and it wasn’t all on her side. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. She had felt it in that kiss.
