Page 24 of Marriage Bargain with His Innocent
CHAPTER FIVE
HOTREDCOLOURsurged up into Georgina’s cheeks. She sprang back as though she’d been burnt. She couldn’t meet Rose’s eyes, nor could she risk looking at Matias, so she stared down at the ground instead, wishing it could swallow her up.
‘Well done,’ Matias murmured.
He urged her into the house, following his mother, who was disappearing off to the sitting room and chatting animatedly and thinking... Heaven only knew what, Georgina worried. Certainly not that these were two people due to break up in under two weeks.
‘What are you talking about?’
Still reeling, Georgina stopped dead in her tracks and looked up at him. Ahead, Rose was peppering them with questions about their day, heading for her favourite chair. Georgina cringed at the thought of having to reproduce excited tales of how their day had gone.
‘I think we’ve managed to convince my mother that everything’s on track between us. She couldn’t have looked happier when she saw me kiss you.’ He paused. ‘Award-winning performance, Georgie,’ he said roughly.
He glanced away for a few seconds, during which time her mind went completely blank before it cranked back into gear and joined up the dots.
What she’d seen as devastating had been a routine, necessary pretend show of affection for him. He hadn’t wanted his mother to open the door to a scowling girlfriend in the throes of a heated argument with her son so he had kissed her to shut her up.
It had worked.
The only problem was that she had returned the kiss as though it had been the real thing. She had thrown herself into it body and soul, never wanting it to end. That kiss had flung open a door to feelings she now shamefully realised were still very much alive and kicking.
Humiliation stiffened her backbone and she clenched her jaw and took a few deep breaths before answering. ‘Thanks. Wouldn’t have done for your mother to have seen us bickering.’
‘When you returned that kiss I almost got the impression that it was more than just a response to keep this charade on the right track...’
Georgina laughed. It sounded brittle to her ears but pride had kicked in. This wasn’t real life. This was make-believe. To him she was still the annoying girl next door, and just because she’d had a makeover it didn’t mean that she’d suddenly turned into Cinderella...it didn’t mean that Prince Charming was going to be falling head over heels in love with her.
She met his eyes and wished that she could see what he was thinking. But his expression was shuttered. Was he desperately trying to contain his impatience? His apprehension that she’d been a little too enthusiastic? Was he terrified that he might have to start erectingNo Trespasssigns around himself to keep her at bay?
Her mouth was still tingling from the feel of his tongue meshing so erotically with hers. She wanted to touch her lips with her fingers to cool them, and just in case she did that unthinkingly she clenched her fists at her sides.
‘Don’t be crazy,’ she said gruffly. ‘Why would you get that idea? I keep telling you that you’re not my type...’
‘Ever thought that you might be attracted physically to a guy whoisn’tyour type?’
‘No. I like to believe that I approach relationships with my head and not my body. Especially after the business with Robbie—which you’ve made sure to remind me was the biggest mistake a girl could ever have made.’
‘I was under the impression that he was definitely anapproach with your headsituation...’
Georgina flushed and fidgeted.
Matias shifted uncomfortably and raked his fingers through his hair. He stared down at her, his body rigid with tension.
‘You don’t have to worry that I’m going to throw myself at you, Matias,’ Georgina said impatiently—because how much more obvious could a person make it that he was worried she might start making a play for him?
‘What makes you think I would be worried if you threw yourself at me?’
Thick silence settled between them. Georgina had no idea what he was trying to say. Was he actuallyflirtingwith her?
She stared at him, open-mouthed, and he brushed his finger along her lower lip. Conflicting sensations flooded through her. Shock...unbearable excitement...shameful arousal...and absolute fear. Because this was definitely unknown and unexpected territory.
He didn’t take his finger away. Instead he stepped towards her and cupped the side of her face with his hand.
‘I don’t know...what you’re trying to say...’ she stammered, for want of anything better.
‘Liar. You knowexactlywhat I’m trying to say.’
Matias smiled slowly. He took his time. He leaned in to her. It was an easy, slow movement that paralysed her to the spot. This time he kissed her gently and tenderly, and she couldn’t stop a sigh of forbidden pleasure as she leaned up and closed her eyes and kissed him back. Because she was lost and she couldn’t help herself.
