Illegitimate Tycoon Read Online Free PDF Page B

magnetic eyes lifted to hers.
                 She
saw appreciation there and some other emotion that defied explanation. It was a
look she’d never seen before, there and gone in a blink. Yet it fed her earlier
unease just the same, allowed it to gain a foothold. To grow into another
obstacle she didn’t need or want.
                 “We
need to leave in five minutes,” he said, his voice calm, steady, when her
emotions felt as if they were bouncing off the walls.
                 She
swallowed the sudden dryness in her throat and nodded, realizing she still held
the blue diamond pendant in her hand. “I’m ready except for my shoes and this
stubborn necklace. I can’t manage the clasp.”
                 His
brows tugged into a disagreeable line for a heartbeat, then quickly smoothed again.
“Maybe I can help.”
                 He
pushed from the doorway and came toward her, long legs moving with masculine
grace. A predator tracking his quarry.
                 And
she certainly felt trapped, for the guilt of withholding the truth from him was
ballooning within her.
                 A
shiver rocketed through her as he took the necklace from her and studied the
clasp. Yet a smile touched her mouth as she watched him, knowing that
rapier-quick mind of his was likely already designing a better clasp for the
necklace, one that was user-friendly.
                 An
odd heaviness expanded in her as Rafael fitted the necklace around her neck and
managed the clasp with surprising ease. If only he could do the same for her
health issues. But she’d seen a specialist, and the doctor hadn’t been able to
assure her that she wouldn’t suffer another miscarriage.
                 The
blue diamond pendant felt heavy and cold resting between her breasts. Not so
for his hands that felt hot and possessive as he briefly skimmed her bare
shoulders.
                 “You
look stunning,” he said. “Thank you. So do you,” she said, pulling away from
him as smoothly as she could so it didn’t look as if she was running from him. “You’ll
clearly attract the eye of every woman here tonight.”
                 He
laughed, a rich sound she hadn’t heard in far too long. And even that did odd
things to her insides.
                 Good
heavens, she would never be able to force a bite down tonight as nervous as she
was in his company. Not the way her stomach had been of late.
                 She
slipped her feet into strappy heels, the silver stilettos giving her added
height. Now she was nearly eye level with him. On more of an equal footing. And
that put her even closer to that devastatingly sensual mouth of his that she
longed to kiss.
                 Damn!
Why was she suddenly so obsessed with sex?
                 “Ready?”
she quipped.
                 “Whenever
you are,” he said in that same rich tone that hummed along her senses.
                 She
moved to the door. If they didn’t get out of this quiet suite, they’d end up in
each other’s arms. In bed. Locked in passion.
                 Or
battle?
                 Yes,
because she couldn’t keep her secret much longer. And she knew he’d be angry
when he found out the truth.
                 She
didn’t want to fight with Rafael tonight. This was special to him. To them.
                 “I
hope the lines aren’t too long,” she said, focusing on what was to come instead
of Rafael da Souza.
                 “We’ll
soon see.”
                 He
closed the door behind her and kept pace at her side, not touching her but so
close his aura seemed to encircle her. Dwarf her. That was an odd comfort that
she grasped on to.
                 He’d
always been her protector. Always had been the one person she could confide in.