Riveted (Art of Eros #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

can figure out what he was doing in Brighton Beach that time of night. As some things have come to light, I’m not sure I knew him at all.” The words hit him hard. She really believed she didn’t know the man she called her husband. He couldn’t think of anything worse.
    She shut her lips firmly to stop herself from revealing more. To say the words out loud made it all too real for her, piercing her bubble.
    Mac stared at her flawless face, made up to perfection. Every lash was in place with enough blush to appear natural. The foundation and eyeliner were exact, made to enhance her features. He wanted to peel away the mask to reveal what she was hiding, and why she needed it. A smile formed on his lips, as he itched to know more about the mystery of this woman.
    He reached out his hand to her, just like on the plane, palm open. Lightning couldn’t strike twice, he was so sure he wouldn’t feel that energy again, a fluke at best. He wondered about the rolling emotions inside her, given the current revelations about her past.
    “What are you smiling about?” Mara tilted her head to peek at him.
    “I’m wondering how lightning strikes twice. What are the chances that you and I would be staying in the same place?” His eyes devoured her enticingly, the wolf to her kitten, that one-step across the abyss into dangerous territory. He had never entertained the thought of fate but she had him questioning everything.
    ~
    Mara chanced putting her hand in his as a hot tingle flowed to her toes. They both sensed it, not wanting to acknowledge it yet. Her body relaxed as her safety net returned. Another rivet holding the steel tightly shut started to come out, letting a sliver of light weave between the sheets of metal. The warming light made her think that she might not have to protect the image of her marriage. She wanted to share things with him but knew he might use it against her in the end. Her lack of trust in men reared its ugly head again, but he affected her, his voice and—God help her—that accent. She could listen to it all day long. Mac wouldn’t judge her. She didn’t have to protect herself in her fortress of steel. With each thing she revealed, there seemed to be more freedom from her confines.
    What the hell is it about this man that makes me burn when he touches me? I want, no, I need to get inside him. I want him to keep touching me. I can’t remember the last time I ever wanted that.
    The ease that she had with him on the plane came back to her. Fear and worry seemed to fall away being around him. He anchored her in the storm that recently surrounded her life. All these new sensations were alien to her. It tilted her off her axis, having never felt that way around any man. His handsome hands captivated her. She wondered about their warmth as they skimmed her face and body. She shouldn’t be thinking about this after just losing her husband. As she tried to reconcile the past and the present, she had the revelation that she’d lost her husband long before he died. Their marriage had been a facade to seem normal and happy for the sake of their social circle, masking what really happened behind closed doors. God forbid she didn’t appear to be perfect in a world full of imperfections.
    “Well, I think you followed me here so I could hold your hand.” Oh, she was a little cocky. Why not? She was on vacation, new start, right? She needed a distraction and wanted to bring his ‘charming self’ down a notch.
    “Are you sure it’s not the other way around? I remember someone grabbing my hand during the plane ride here. I bet there are a lot of things you can do with those talented hands. I think you might be a little smitten.” He gave her a cheeky grin, his eyes full of wonderment on what made this woman tick, daring her to challenge him. At every turn, she caught him a little off guard.
    “Smitten! I think someone is a little high on himself right now.” She leaned back in her lounger, keeping her