How to Marry a Matador (Exclusive Sneak Preview) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mistake is missing your connection at the airport,
forgetting to pack extra panties! A mistake is not marrying
a matador!” She paused a beat, then began slowly. “I know what this
is. It’s a joke, isn’t it? Ha ha! Right?”
    Jess stared down at the naked spot on her
ring finger. As soon as there was time, he’d told her, he’d buy her
a big, beautiful engagement ring—and a wedding band to match.
Didn’t matter to him that they’d never technically been
engaged.
    “Jess…” Evie queried. “The silence is scaring
me.”
    “He’s not really a matador,” Jess said,
blinking hard. “I mean, not anymore. It’s more like the family
business.”
    “So what’s this guy do?”
    “He’s in telecommunications.”
    “Hold the phone. Wait just one New York
second. This couldn’t possibly be…? Is it Fernando we’re talking
about?”
    Jess felt her face flash hot.
    “But you hate the guy!”
    “That’s just what I was saying!”
    “No. You said you’d married him.”
    “That too.”
    “Hoo boy.”
    “Yep.”
    “So, what did you do? Fly to the Spanish
version of Vegas?”
    “More like stepped into a time warp.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “La Esperanza del Corazón, some little
Spanish town near Seville.”
    Jess could imagine Evie massaging her
forehead. While Evie often got into trouble, she very rarely got
stressed. Stressing was Jess’s department. “When did this
happen?”
    “Just last night.”
    “Oh, good, then it’s a fresh mistake. Go out
and get it undone.”
    “I plan to,” Jess said with more resolve than
she felt. “Just as soon as everything here opens back up.”
    “What’s wrong with today?”
    “It’s Sunday, Eve. And tomorrow is some sort
of saint day. It will be Tuesday before we can get things
straightened out.”
    “Did you sleep with him?”
    Jess hesitated a moment too long.
    “Maybe a little.”
    “A little?”
    “Okay, it was a lot. Quite a lot. Four times,
to be exact.”
    “That’s some Latin lover.”
    Jess sighed, reliving the heat of Fernando’s
caress trailing down the length of her spine.
    “That good, eh?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “You didn’t have to!”
    Jess heard footsteps on the stairs. “Look
Evie, I’ve got to run. Fernando’s taking me riding.”
    “Not on a bull, I hope!”
    “Horses, Evie,” she said in hushed tones.
“He’s promised to explain the whole thing.”
    “Which thing?”
    “Why he wants to keep this sham of a marriage
going.”
    “This sounds dangerous, Jess.”
    “He’s not dangerous, I swear. In fact, he’s a
very devoted son.”
    “ You met his mother? ”
    “And she thinks I’m pregnant.”
    “Jess!”
    She heard him approach the door and rap
soundly.
    “Is my new bride ready to ride?”
    “Oh my God, is that him? Love the
accent.”
    “I’ll call you later,” Jess whispered. “As
soon as I know more!”
    “Wait! Don’t—”
    But Jess had already pressed End Call and
opened the door.
    Fernando smiled at her sweetly, a bulging
satchel slung over his shoulder. “I’m glad to see my sister’s
riding clothes fit you so well.”
    Her face flushed as he gave her an
appreciative perusal. The fact was, they were a bit snug, but Jess
had managed to struggle into them.
    “What will you tell your mother about taking
a woman in my condition riding?”
    “I already told her what I’ll now promise
you.” He leveled her a look with his deep green eyes, and Jess once
again had that tumbling sensation. “That I would never, ever put
you in danger.”
    Jess caught her breath, wondering for a
panicked second if he’d overheard her phone conversation.
    Fernando brought a hand to her face and
gently stroked her cheek. “You do believe that, querida ?”
    Jess felt her heart thunder in response.
    In spite of herself, she did. She was
actually starting to fear she’d too easily believe just about
anything Fernando told her. She was glad they were going outdoors
and far from this room and its