The Marriage Trap Read Online Free PDF

Surely, you have some lovely young thing just begging for the opportunity to shine in this role?”
    Michael held back a groan. Did he really think this would be easy? “Actually, that’s why you’ll be perfect for the job. I need someone who won’t get any strange ideas. Anyway, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.”
    “What if I am?”
    “Are you?”
    She pulled back. The temptation to lie glimmered in those eyes, then cleared. “No. But I’m still not doing it.”
    “I’ll pay you.”
    She smirked. “I don’t need your money, Count. I make enough on my own, thank you.”
    “There must be something we can bargain with. Something you want.”
    “Sorry, I’m a pretty happy girl. But thanks for the offer.” She reached past him for the doorknob.
    She was his only candidate, and he didn’t think America had a store to buy fake brides. The final option flashed before him. It would never work, of course, and Nick wouldn’t approve. But if Maggie thought it was a possibility, she may drop right into his hands. He pushed past his conscience and played his trump card. “Fine, I guess I’ll need to ask Alexa.”
    Maggie stopped. Her hair flew, then slid into place as she whipped her head up to eyeball him like a prizefighter. “What did you say?”
    He sighed with mock regret. “I didn’t want to ask her to leave Lily so early, but I’m sure she will help me.”
    Pure temper oozed from her pores. She clenched her jaw and spoke between gritted teeth. “Don’t even think about it, Count. Just leave her and Nick alone. Solve your own damn problems.”
    “As I am trying to do.”
    She lifted herself up on tiptoes and got in his face. Her breath rushed over his lips, a heady combination of coffee and cognac and arousal. “I swear to God, if you even present such a crazy idea to them I’ll—”
    “What? Once I explain the situation, Nick will understand. Alexa has always wanted to travel to Italy, and it will only be for a few days. This is a family emergency.”
    “You’re not family!” The words breezed past his ears with a whoosh and he caught the edge of resentment in her tone. “Stop interfering in their life and get one of your own.”
    He clucked his tongue. “So angry, la mia tigrotta . Are you jealous?”
    Her hands reached out and clenched around his upper arms. The bite of her nails dug into his muscles and only upped the swirling sensual tension between them. “No, I’m pissed you’re still hanging around Alexa like a lost puppy dog, and now my own brother doesn’t even see it. I wish there was a way to get rid of you. I wish I could—”
    Her mouth snapped shut. Very slowly, she removed her nails from his arms and took a step back. His body mourned the loss of her female heat. Michael watched with trepidation as the gleam in her eyes brightened. Somehow, he didn’t think her next words would be good. Somehow, she looked a bit dangerous.
    “If I agree to this insane plan, you’ll give me anything I want?”
    Her sudden turn of direction made his stomach lurch. “Yes.”
    Her lips curved into a smile, stained red and perfectly formed. He stared helplessly at that sensual mouth, made for carnal delights beyond his fantasies. Dios, his body throbbed with a painful pressure and distracted him from rational conversation. He thought of the nuns in the Catholic church he grew up with and some of the pulsing blood calmed.
    “Okay. I’ll do it.”
    He didn’t celebrate. Just stared at her with suspicion. “What do you want?”
    The triumph on her face superseded her words. “I want you to stay away from Alexa.”
    Michael flinched. Somehow, his clever ammunition misfired. He mentally cursed for leaving himself wide open for her sneak attack. Her continued insistence he was secretly in love with Alexa usually amused him, but now he faced something more vital. He decided to pretend to misunderstand. “Of course,” he agreed. “I’ll keep my distance if you’d like.”
    Her gaze