Given (Give &Take) Read Online Free PDF Page A

excitement. I narrowed my eyes at him and grinned back.
    “What?” He chuckled.
    “Nothing.”
    “Tell me more about the city’s architecture,” he said, waving a hand toward the wide avenues and masses of buildings.
    “Well, in the mid-1800s, the city went through a massive remodeling, and for the most part, it’s what we see today. The second empire building codes are still in place if you can believe that.” I felt a little lighter talking about my favorite subject. Architecture was a language in which I was more than fluent.
    Merrick became very serious, studying my face closely.
    “What?” I asked. His expression was suddenly so odd.
    He shook his head, coming out of whatever thought process had taken over his mind. “I like hearing you talk about what you’re passionate about.”
    I nudged him with my hip. “I wasn’t talking about you.”
    “I know.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. “It seems like so many times women lose themselves when they’re in a relationship. I’m glad you’re still you. I don’t want Turtle Tear—or me—to define you. Even though Rocha is no longer in the development business, I hope you’ll take on other projects. I can help you make connections with some of my contacts. You just say the word.”
    And just when I thought I couldn’t fall more in love with him. Is this what all of his hesitation was about? He didn’t want me forgetting myself and who I was? I turned into him, pressing against his chest as I hugged him. “I’m not ready yet, but when I am, I’ll let you know. And Merrick”—I let him go enough to look into his eyes—“losing myself to you wouldn’t be such a terrible thing. If I ever did, it would be by choice, not by weakness.”
    He laughed as the breeze off the water blew through his hair. “I don’t think you’ve got a weak bone in your body, Ms. DeSalvo. You’re one stubborn woman who knows how to get what she wants.”
    “I never used to be, Mr. Rocha. I blame you for that.”
    “That’s something I don’t mind taking credit for.” He kissed me and the boat lurched under our feet. A horn blew above the wheelhouse, signaling our departure from the pier.

    Dinner was served inside the glass-encased boat at a window-side, white-clothed table as we cruised past the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, and La Conciergerie. We dined on salmon and braised fennel, chilled courgette cream soup, and mixed Riviera salads. Stuffed, we picked at our desserts, cherry clafoutis with almond cream, and sipped chardonnay. I detected distress hidden in Merrick’s eyes over his wineglass. He was not a patient man, and not being able to locate Nadia was eating away at him.
    I reached across the table and took his hand. “The sun’s setting. Let’s go back out onto the deck and watch.”
    The pink-and-orange-streaked sky blazing behind the Louvre took my breath away and made my knees weak. “Can you believe how beautiful…” I could only shake my head in disbelief.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Merrick focusing his phone on me for a photo as I leaned over the railing,staring into the sky reflected in the water beneath us. “I’ve never seen anything more astoundingly gorgeous in my life,” he said, snapping the picture as I turned to look at him.
    “This has been the best afternoon.” I smiled, thinking back to all of our afternoons together. “Not the best ever, but close.”
    Merrick stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me, leaning his chin on my shoulder. “Not the best ever? Which was the best ever?”
    Heat gathered between my legs as he flattened his palms against my stomach and ran his hands down to the tops of my thighs and up over my hips, pulling me back against him and discreetly grinding himself into me.
    I let my head fall back against his shoulder and stared up at the swirling, blinding colors in the sky. “There was this afternoon in a tree house with chocolate-raspberry cake that comes to