Kismet: A Serendipity Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

lavish on her.
    But that was the sensible Elisabetta
talking. The old Elisabetta—the one who would follow Trevor’s lead
to hell and back, the one who was enjoying the feel of his heated
palm against her back—urged her to stop thinking and enjoy. Not
that she’d forget why she was with Trevor or that she had an
article to write when her time with him was through, but for now,
the devil on her shoulder insisted she relax and see where this
night and these sparks between them would lead.
    And she wondered which Lissa would win.

Chapter Three
    For Trevor, nothing about tonight was
work-related. The fundraiser was something his firm believed in and
attendance was mandatory, but nobody conducted business at these
kinds of events. Most attended with their husbands, wives, or
significant others and it was as much a chance for people to catch
up personally as it was to raise money for the charity. Normally
Trevor hated these things. He’d have to dig up a date, either a
woman who bored him to tears or one who thought she could be the
one to catch him when no other woman had been able to before.
    At first he’d questioned why this was on the
reporter’s schedule of events, but he realized Alex wanted to
showcase both Trevor and the firm’s commitment to altruistic
causes. He’d resigned himself to sucking it up because at least
he’d be with a woman who had no expectations. Once he’d discovered
the reporter was Lissa and after he’d made the deliberate decision
to let go of the past for this short time they were together, he’d
begun to look forward to the evening.
    As for her insistence that she’d take a cab?
It was easier to let her think she’d gotten her way than to argue.
And it had been worth the waiting time in the lobby to get his
first glimpse of her uncensored expression the moment she’d laid
eyes on him as she walked out of the elevator. Pure, unadulterated
pleasure lit her gaze, along with a definite dose of female
appreciation, before wariness shuttered her emotions. And her skin
glowed radiantly, her emerald eyes twinkling with delight she tried
hard to hide.
    It was enough for him to know he’d gotten to
her the same way she affected him.
    Only then did he allow himself the full
pleasure of viewing her in all her glory. Dressed in a gold gown,
Grecian in design, that draped over one shoulder and hugged her
curves in all the right places, she looked like a princess. The
back dipped enticingly low, giving him a glimpse of her olive skin
and affording the perfect place to settle his palm possessively
against her back.
    They made the ride to the Waldorf in silence
and Trevor let her squirm. He knew she was questioning his motives
and what he wanted from her. He liked her nervous and a bit wary.
That was when she’d be most unguarded, letting little things
slip.
    There was much to revisit, much still
unsaid, and though they had a limited amount of time together, most
of it would be one on one. Just not right away.
    As soon as they arrived at the hotel and
walked into the ballroom, all eyes turned to look at them. Trevor
understood. Lissa, with her Mediterranean olive skin, jet black
hair, and green eyes, made an impression. She had a regal look and
he was proud to have her on his arm.
    “I’m the envy of every man here,” he said,
escorting her toward the bar.
    “Flatterer. Have you seen the other women
here? They’re at least twenty pounds lighter and have much tinier
waists,” she said, laughing without seeming uncomfortable.
    “I hadn’t noticed. I can’t take my eyes off
you.” He drew a deep breath. “Would you like a drink?”
    She nodded. “A glass of white wine.”
    The bartender had heard her, so Trevor
merely added, “And a Scotch on the rocks for me.”
    A few minutes later, they had their drinks
in hand. “Let’s walk,” he said, steering her into the crowds. The
sooner they did the obligatory meet and greet, the sooner Trevor
could dance with this woman and take her to bed.