An Inconvenient Love (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

used it for drugs or alcohol, but a good meal was usually appreciated. She’d searched his face. Did he know she’d been homeless once? Was he trying to impress her with his generosity? Was it all a show?
    For a minute she’d considered telling him about her past. But what if he changed his mind and she lost her chance? Her throat ached and she remained silent.
    Two men stumbled out of the pub next to the restaurant and almost crashed into her. Luca quickly stepped in front, his hand reaching for hers and pulling her against his back. He took up a protective stance in front of her until the men staggered down the road, shouting obscenities to no one in particular.
    “I will walk you home,” he said.
    “It’s not necessary, Luca. It’s only a couple of blocks from here.” He didn’t argue. Simply raised his eyebrow and waited for her to lead the way. “Really, I’ve lived here for a long time. It’s pretty safe.”
    Unfortunately, a police car chose that moment to go racing by, blues and twos blaring.
    “If I do not see you to your door, I will be awake all night, wondering if you made it home safe. Please, for me.”
    How could she resist a plea like that? And what other things would she concede in this marriage?

Chapter 3
    “Are you mad? I go to Spain for two weeks and come back to find you’ve agreed to marry a total stranger?” Olivia shouted to be heard above the noise of the treadmills they were both on. “This from the woman who hasn’t had a serious boyfriend ever! Never in a gazillion years would I have thought you, of all people, would do something so … so … outrageous.” Olivia slowed her machine to a walk and stared at Sophia.
    Sophia slowed down as well, wiping her face and neck with her towel. Having said it out loud, it did sound outrageous. How could she explain how sensible and reasonable it felt, at least when she was with Luca?
    “It’s not complete madness,” she began. “Luca is … well, he’s different from any other man I’ve met. More importantly, this is an amazing opportunity. I can leave my past and all the horrific memories behind and start a new life in a new country. I’m tired of working my butt off for nothing. This way I can get a degree and make something of myself. Make sure my children have a decent life. He’s a good guy, so stop looking so worried.”
    Olivia stopped her treadmill and put her hand on Sophia’s. “What about love?”
    Sophia hit the stop button and stepped off the machine. “I don’t want love. Love is a huge disappointment.” She took a sip of water to clear her throat. “All I need is someone I can respect, especially if it means I don’t have to worry about paying the rent or putting food on the table. Do you think that makes me a gold digger, or worse?” She moved over to the mat area to do some stretches. Olivia followed.
    “You’re asking me? I think trophy wife is a legitimate career choice. Marrying for money isn’t always bad—unless you intend to divorce him after a few years and take everything you can get. People get married for a variety of reasons; who’s to say what the right ones are? My worry is that you’re a loving person, Sophia. What if eventually you want more from this marriage than just financial security?” Olivia started with a sun salutation stretch, ignoring the man on the rowing machine who stopped to watch her.
    As a model, Olivia was used to people gawking at her. Although, even if she wasn’t in front of a camera all day, at five foot nine, dark-skinned with luxurious deep brown spiral curls and a body that would have made Marilyn Monroe jealous, she still would have gotten a lot of attention. Sophia didn’t envy her beauty, knowing at times it was more of a curse. What wasn’t fair was that when Olivia worked out she glowed, unlike Sophia, who resembled a boiled lobster.
    Sophia shrugged. “We plan on having children. I can give all my love to them.”
    Olivia switched to the downward dog