Kismet: A Serendipity Novella Read Online Free PDF

They passed the
next thirty minutes talking to the important people at Wittman
Financial and other people in the industry. Trevor was careful to
introduce Lissa to the movers and shakers by both name and company
affiliation, knowing that despite the personal nature of their time
together, when all was said and done, she had a job to do.
    “Trevor, Ms. Gardelli, I’m so glad you could
make it.” Trevor turned at the sound of Alexander’s voice. “I see
you two have worked out your ... differences?”
    “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr.
Wittman,” Lissa said, extending her free hand.
    Instead of shaking it, Alex lifted her hand
and placed a courtly kiss on top. “You look ravishing.”
    Lissa blushed.
    “I was just telling her the same thing
myself,” Trevor said, unable to hide his pleasure at being with
her.
    Over the years, as Trevor had escorted
various dates to these types of evenings, he’d envied Bradley
Banks, thinking the man was taking Lissa to country club events,
showing her off and then taking her home and making love to
her.
    Trevor’s stomach turned at the thought even
now.
    How much time had he wasted by not finding
out the truth of how her life had been?
    Which reminded him, he had some crow to eat.
He turned to Alex. “I already apologized to Lissa and now it’s your
turn. I was shocked to see her after all these years and I let
emotion cloud my judgment. I was rude earlier today and I
apologize.”
    Trevor wasn’t a man prone to saying
I’m
sorry
, but in this case, he owed his boss and mentor and
intended to prove he understood his mistake.
    “I don’t know what happened between you two
in the past, but to have such an explosive reaction means great
passion was involved.”
    A small hiccup came from Lissa, a clear sign
of shock.
    “Alex ...” Trevor said in warning.
    The other man waved away Trevor’s concerns
because in Alex’s world, people were meant to be paired off. He was
a romantic to the bone.
    “Speaking of passion, Emma sends her best,
but she’s home with a headache and she wants to make sure she’s
better for tomorrow night’s dinner party. Which means I’ll be
leaving early,” he said with regret.
    “I hope she feels better,” Lissa said. “I’m
looking forward to meeting her tomorrow.”
    Trevor stepped closer to Lissa and slid an
arm around her waist. She stiffened for a moment before managing to
relax. “Please send Emma my best wishes. And we’ll see her
tomorrow,” Trevor added.
    “She’s looking forward to it, as am I.” Alex
nodded. His perceptive gaze locked on Trevor’s possessive hold on
Lissa and a smug grin settled on the man’s face. “I’ll see you two
later,” Alex said and headed off to finish making his rounds.
    Trevor gave Lissa a few minutes to enjoy her
drink in silence and take in the ambiance in the ballroom. He
finished his and turned to face her.
    “Dance?” he asked.
    “Sure.” Lissa handed her wine glass to a
passing server.
    Lissa steeled herself for the next few
minutes in Trevor’s arms.
    It was hard enough to see the heat and
appreciation in his eyes whenever he looked at her. Harder still to
make herself believe he meant it. She didn’t doubt he wanted her.
She desired him just as much. It was how she felt about that look
in his eyes that frightened her. As he wrapped his arm around her
waist and pulled her close, the warmth of his body and the thrill
his touch inspired scared her even more.
    Yet when he looked down and into her eyes,
she practically melted on the spot.
    “This feels familiar,” he said as he slowly
moved to the strains of the music.
    She laughed, remembering their junior prom.
They hadn’t made it to their senior. “As I recall, we were more
awkward then.”
    He shrugged. “Practice makes perfect.” He
stroked her bare back with his thumb and she shivered.
    “Do you come to these things often?” she
asked.
    “It’s part of the job. There are charitable
galas, holiday parties, things