More Than Neighbors Read Online Free PDF Page B

was to him and never tried to make impossible demands on him. She was also beautiful, a society woman who knew what she wanted. For some time now, Leopold had suspected that she wanted marriage, and he’d been considering the idea. After all, he was forty-two, and it was high time he settled down and had a family.
    His mother never stopped reminding him of his duties. There had been a Sinclair in Hallcourt Abbey since 1789, and as she so often repeated, she was not prepared to allow the tradition to die with him. Though their personalities had always clashed, Leopold couldn’t deny that his mother was right in this matter: what was the point in working his fingers to the bone in the family business if there were no children to inherit it? As he stood under the scalding jet of the shower, his neighbor’s enchanting face gate-crashed his thoughts.
    Totally predictable .
    That was what Catalina thought of him, and he couldn’t understand why it bothered him so much. As she herself had said, they couldn’t be more different. With a sigh, he turned off the shower, wrapped himself in a towel, and went to make himself some supper.
     
    Meanwhile, lying in her uncle’s giant bathtub with bubbles brimming over the side, lit by the glow of a few scented candles, Catalina was also thinking about her neighbor. The intensity of his kiss and the fireworks she’d felt had completely taken her by surprise, and though she was pleased that she’d handled herself well, she hoped it wouldn’t happen again. Despite his outward aloofness, she liked Leopold and felt an almost maternal concern for his well-being. Well, the feelings his kiss provoked weren’t exactly maternal , she admitted to herself. However, she still believed that Leopold Sinclair, despite being so attractive and successful, was not a happy man.
    She stayed in the tub until the water cooled and she was forced to get out. After putting on her pajamas, she decided to have a light dinner and make an early night of it. The next day would be busy. She had to finish preparing the exhibition at her friend’s art gallery, since the opening party was on Saturday and time was running out. Once again, without knowing why, she thought of Leopold, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
    Perhaps she’d invite her unsociable neighbor . . .
     
    Over the course of that week, Leopold and his neighbor crossed paths only once more. Cat was on her way out to take Milo for his usual evening walk, and just as she opened the main door to the building, she almost collided with a stunning blonde who was on her way in with Leopold. “You should watch where you’re going,” the new arrival spat at her, looking at Catalina’s messy hair and torn jeans with disgust.
    “Sorry, I was distracted,” Cat replied, out of breath. She was trying to hold back the gigantic dog, which was intent on leaping up on Leopold, subsequently entangling the leash in the blonde’s statuesque legs and throwing her off balance. Leopold caught her elbow, saving her from crashing to the floor.
    “Down, Milo!” Leopold ordered in an authoritative tone, and Milo calmed enough for the three of them to disentangle themselves.
    “I’m so sorry.” Embarrassed, Cat gave the angry woman an apologetic smile. She didn’t reply, simply glaring at her as if she were the most despicable creature she’d ever had the misfortune to come across.
    “Good evening, Catalina,” her neighbor greeted her impassively.
    “You know each other?” The blonde’s large blue eyes flicked between them with sudden interest.
    “Leo’s my next-door neighbor,” Cat cheerfully informed her.
    “Leo?” She raised an eyebrow in a silent question, but Leopold merely shrugged.
    “Alison, this is Catalina Stapleton, my neighbor. Catalina, this is Alison Parker.”
    “How do you do?” Cat enthusiastically held out her hand, as if she couldn’t see that Alison was wishing her away. “May I take this opportunity to invite you both to