The Tuscan's Revenge Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page B

stockbroker who owned a house in the country and drove an
environmentally correct sedan, had been engaged for almost two years. For all
his staid, buttoned down image, however, Jason had been as much of an
adrenaline junkie as her father and her brother; it was just that playing the
market excited him instead of risking his life. Amanda tormented herself for
weeks, trying to decide if that and his selfish sex were reasonable excuses for
breaking it off. He’d saved her the trouble then by falling for an exotic
dancer with bleached hair, artificial cleavage, multiple piercings and yards of
tattoos.
    No, she was stunned by the sight of Nicholas without his
clothes, but that was all. It was hardly going to affect how she reacted to
him. They had no future together, but would go their separate ways once they
landed. And if she might forever compare any man she happened to see in the
nude to the masculine image now seared into her brain, it would be her secret.
    The bathroom smelled of soap and a men’s cologne so
tantalizing that she breathed deep in the need to identify it. She had never
come across it before she was sure, not even in the most exclusive men’s
boutiques. He might have had it custom blended, she thought, but it could also
be that it was inextricably mixed with his distinctive male scent.
    In any case, it was intoxicating in close quarters. It made
her feel almost light-headed as she used the facility, washed her hands and
face, ran her fingers through her hair and pressed her lips together to add
color.
    And she refused to think that it might have been the man who
wore it that caused her dizziness. It was the last thing she needed.
    ~ ~ ~
    His guest emerged from the bathroom as
Nicholas was pouring wine. He had topped off his glass that he had been
drinking while waiting for her, and now reached to fill hers.
    “None for me,” she said as she regained her seat.
    He sent her a brief look, but she refused to return it. A
veil of soft color lay across her cheekbones.
    A wry smile touched a corner of his mouth. She was still
embarrassed then. It was unexpected, for she could hardly be an innocent, must
be in her late twenties if he had to guess. Of course, Americans were not as
comfortable with nudity as most of his countrymen. Perhaps that was it.
    At least she was no longer quite so oblivious of him. It
pleased him that he could shake her composure. Purest machismo, of course, but
he had enjoyed the look on her face, her wide eyes and parted lips, the soft
rose flush of awareness and, yes, reluctant arousal.
    These things completely destroyed the effect of the cold
shower he’d just taken, but what did it matter? They were worth it.
    Nico wondered what it would take to provoke that reaction
from her again. And winced inwardly at what the thought of getting naked in
front of her, say for a mutual shower or midnight swim, did to his straining
body.

3
    They went directly from the airport to the
hospital in spite of the predawn hour. The decision was made by Nicholas, but
was exactly what Amanda wanted. She was grateful for his highhanded action this
time, glad that she had no need to press for it.
    The closer she came to seeing Jonathan, the tighter her
throat grew and the heavier the weight in her chest became. He was all she had.
Even when he was a continent away, she knew he thought of her often, just as
she thought about him. They had protected each other while on the road. She had
been his shield against bullies and he had warned her about older boys who
collected girl’s underwear for souvenirs. They had learned to swim, to ride horseback
and to ski together. They had stood together beside two graves. He always
hugged her when he left her. She loved him as she loved no one else in the
world, and had no idea what she would do if he was no longer in it.
    She longed to see him, yet hated the thought of his
vulnerability, just as she knew he would hate it. And his regret and self-blame
for the accident would