The Cowboy's One Night Bride Read Online Free PDF

the wall.
    “Beautiful, isn’t she?” He gestured at the ink painting of a Chinese lady clad in a flowing, traditional costume. Her jet-black hair was tied in a complicated up-do and her willowy body was thin and delicate.
    “An artist’s impression of Yang Guifei, the epitome of Chinese beauty.”
    “Yes,” Gianna swallowed. She looked nothing like the lady in the painting and from the way his eyes roamed over her form, she was sure that he had considered this as well. “She is beautiful.”
    Turning to face her, Anthony placed both his hands on her shoulders.
    “And you are beautiful, too.”
    Gently tucking a stray hair behind her ear, he leaned towards her. For a moment, Gianna wondered if he was going to kiss her. Instead, he whispered into her ear.
    “In your own different way.”
    Shit. Before she could truly experience the fear that coursed through her veins, he was leading her through a great room with a large fireplace and a leather sofa set. The walls were lined with bookshelves and paintings that obviously originated from China. A large crystal chandelier was the centerpiece of the room.
    “This is the penthouse. It is my private home within this hotel.”
    Tilting his head towards the door on the right, he told her, “That door leads to the bedroom.”
    “But for now,” he continued as he led her towards the door on the left, “I thought we’d have our conversation in my study.
    Retrieving a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door with a decisive click.
    “Right this way,” he gestured for her to follow him.
    Gianna stepped into the room and gasped. It looked like a museum, with a range of oddly intimidating knick-knacks, some hanging on the wall and others placed in glass displays. There was a large marble desk in the dead center of the room and a leather armchair on either side. Sitting on one, Anthony waved her towards the other.
    “Please take a seat.” Gianna eyed him warily as she perched herself on the oversized chair. His words were polite but there was an edge of steel behind them which made her nervous.
    “So,” Anthony leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs in a lazy fashion. “Where should we begin? I want to know more about my lovely bride-to-be.”
    Her heart thumping an odd rhythm in her chest, Gianna replied, “As do I about you.”
    “Fantastic.” There was something a little unsettling about his broad grin. “Before we start, there’s just something you should know about me.”
    Anthony leaned forward in his chair, beckoning her closer. Gianna shuffled to the edge of her seat, unable to take her eyes off that hypnotic blue gaze.
    “I don’t like liars.”
    Frozen on the spot, she dug her fingernails into her palm so hard that she was surprised she didn’t break her skin.
    Anthony’s sudden snort of laughter made Gianna jump.
    “Well, that’s not exactly an exciting way to begin this little tête-à-tête, is it?”
    Gianna forced herself to laugh along. Oh, he was an unsettling man, going from scary seriousness to mischievous mirth.
    “I do apologize. I’m an old fogey. In fact, my daughter is always teasing me about it.”
    “Your daughter, sir?” Gianna brightened. “Was she the little one I met in the lobby?”
    “Oh goodness, no. No, my daughter is a mother herself. She’s perhaps some seasons younger than you. You are twenty, aren’t you?”
    Surprised, Gianna nodded. She had estimated that he was quite a bit older than herself, but this was unexpected. He’s old enough to be my father? Try as she might, she couldn’t prevent the slightest curling of her lip.
    “Does that bother you?” Anthony cocked his head to the side. “Knowing that I am so many years your senior?”
    “No, Mr. Davies. It … it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”
    Gianna jumped as Anthony pounded his fist on the table. “Remember what I said,” he enunciated each word deliberately. “I. Don’t. Like. Liars.”
    Feeling her temper rise despite herself,