Page 20 of Forbidden Duke
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Blackwell memorized Donna’s silhouette while she was in the bathroom, ironing a simple shirt for the day ahead. She was comfortable in her plain white bra that she’d probably bought at one of the huge chain stores. Most of the women he’d met in Europe wouldn’t dream of wearing anything like that, but on Donna, simple lookedsexy.
She glanced over her shoulder so he cleared his throat, turned his head and pretended he hadn’t been studying her chest. “After the Doge’s palace, ice cream, Gallerie dell'Accademia, and an early dinner, I was thinking we could drive to Firenze thisevening.”
She buttoned her shirt and put the iron away. “Sounds amazing, Blackwell. I was wondering, did you ever get a nickname as a kid in school or did everyone always call youBlackwell?”
He stood and stopped her from putting the ironing board away. Staff would take care of that when they left. He kissed her neck. “My teacher in first grade called me Trouble with a CapitalT.”
“What did you do?” She finished buttoning her shirt and tucked it into herjeans.
His skin felt rough against her smoothness, but she held him close as if she liked it. “Anything but what she told me todo.”
She ran her hand in his thick, coarse hair. “I can see that being a problem. Do you still have an issue about doing what you’retold?”
He traced the white bra strap beneath her shirt. “Depends. If you tell me you want something, I’ll happilycomply.”
She turned and hugged his shoulder. “Flirting every day must get tiring, but I appreciate it.” She stepped back and buttoned her pants. “I’m going to wear my jeans today if that’sokay?”
He laughed. With her it could be the last time someone accepted that he wore his own jeans without comment, but he massaged her back and fingered the edge of her bra, wanting her out of the shirt. “So long as you show me those sexy legs of yours later. You’re beautiful and I want to memorize everyfeature.”
She lightly ruffled his hair. “Relentless flirting. We’ll see what the day unfolds, shallwe?”
Was that a challenge? He winked. “I will charm you back to bed before dinner, but for now, let’s getgoing.”
He threw his clothes on, cleaned himself up and was done in less than five minutes. Donna’s clean face with her lack of makeup made her kissable all day and he intended to taste her when she didn’texpect.
He offered his hand as they walked out of the hotel and down the stairs. Outside, Donna took a deep breath and said, “The Grand Canal isbeautiful.”
They walked together arm-in-arm through Venice in the morning light. As they passed the water view of the Bridge of Sighs, she stopped, leaned her head on his chest and took in theview.
Behind them a male voice called out, “Donna?”
She stood straight and dropped his hand. Her face was red as she said, “Harry? What are you doinghere?”
Blackwell’s chest pounded and he puffed it out while the other man kissed both of Donna’s cheeks. “I’m here for work and heading to Florence this afternoon. Why are you here? You never expressed an interest in coming withme?”
Donna turned brighterred.
Blackwell refused to let this man interfere in their vacation and he stepped forward, holding out his hand to shake. “So, you’reHarry?”
The man was a foot shorter than him, thin, with light brown hair streaked with blond and squirrely blue eyes. He stared at him like he was no one important. “And youare?”
Right. He blocked Donna with his shoulder from view as he shook the man’s hand. “Blackwell Oberlin, the Duke ofOakley.”
Normally he never used his title, but for Harry, he made an exception. Donna was hisnow.
Soft hands shook his in a weak greeting then Harry started in surprise. “You’re a major shareholder in Berkshire Hathaway,Inc.”
Anyone who read investment magazines would know that. Blackwell shrugged and placed his hand on Donna’s lower back. “I invest my money where I can make more money. Right now, Donna and I have a showing we cannotmiss.”
Harry’s eyes were round as tea saucers as he nodded his goodbye. “Donna, you lookgood.”
She held up a hand and waved. “Thanks, Harry. See youaround.”
The moment they walked away, Blackwell said, “So that was yourHarry.”
Her face stayed more pinkish than normal, but it wasn’t as red. She lowered her gaze and continued to walk down the Grand Canal with him. “He’s not mine, not anymore. He flew out for business once a month for a few days but he never asked me to go with him. I always wanted to go to these places he talked about. I received the impression that I wasn’twelcome.”
