Page 8 of Breaking Point
“I refuse to believe that you don’t.You’re too good a businessman.”
She wanted to accept the implied compliment, yet at the same time, be insulted that he didn’t believe her.She put her hand on her hip, her fingers curled into a fist.“I’m starting to understand why you stay in your ivory tower.You annoy people every time you open your mouth.”
“At least I’m up front about how I feel.”
“I told you thetruth,” she raged.“Agh!Why am I even trying to debate it with you.You’ll think whatever the hell you want about me, no matter what I say.”She gave him a stiff smile, even though he probably couldn’t see it.“I’ve had a perfect evening.People say that all the time, only I mean it.I got to wear a pretty dress that wasn’t in the least business-like or sober.I spent a whole evening with my son.And he is so happy and in love, he’s glowing with it, and even losing his head a little over her.He’ll do anything to make her happy.And I danced and drank champagne and got to walk home and let my thoughts drift and just soak up the pleasantness…until you got in my way.Donotspoil my night, Brice Falcon.I mean it.”
She backed up a step.“I’m going to step around the corner here, and leave you alone with your suspicion and paranoia.”
“You do mean it, don’t you?”he said.His tone was touched with wonder.
“Itoldyou I did.”She took another step.
“No, wait—” He moved toward her, a hand out, as if he was motioning her to stop.
His knee gave out.And he didn’t have his cane.
It was instinct to leap forward and thrust her shoulder under his as he sank toward the ground.He was just as heavy and solid as she remembered from the arena, and now he leanedonher.
They stood motionless, while her heart rammed and jigged.She could feel his heart against her, and it wasn’t steady, either.
“Damn it…” he whispered.Two simple words, yet they were loaded with such a cocktail of emotions, that Luciana couldn’t name all of them.Anger.Embarrassment.Irritation.Raw self-awareness.And underneath, a deep self-loathing.
He straightened, shifting his weight from her shoulder.“Thank you.”His tone was stiff.She thought she understood that stiffness, too.His embarrassment was building.
“It’s our secret,” she told him.Then she surprised even herself.“Maybe you should come into the house and give your leg a moment to recover.You can sit with your back to me, and pretend you’re still sitting on your box out here.Then you can call a pod or walk home…whatever you want.”
His voice was back to the low, rumbling tones as he said, “I thought you didn’t want to spoil your evening?”
“Helping someone doesn’t spoil anything.”
He didn’t reply.The silence stretched until Luciana was forced to say, “Well, never mind.It was just a thought.”
“You’re not what I expected,” he said.
She laughed.“I’d say the same but—”
His mouth pressed against hers, stealing her words and her breath with the sheer unexpectedness of it.For a frozen moment, she felt nothing at all.Then the kiss shifted and warmed.It built.When did she put her arms around his neck?She didn’t know.She only realized they were there whenhisarm came around her back and pulled her up against him.The solid wall of him.
Then she stopped thinking about anything except the glorious pleasure of the kiss.The effect of it sizzled along her nerves, made her muscles melt, and her heart to tango.
When it ended, she realized she was mashed against him, her body throbbing and her thoughts scattered.“Oh…” she breathed.
He was breathing just as hard.
“What was that for?”she whispered.
“That,” he said, his voice rumbling against her torso, “was meant to be a thank you.This isn’t, though.”He kissed her again, and the pleasure was again mind-dazzling.
When the kiss was done, they were both breathless.
Luciana shifted against him.Now what?What did this mean?She had never been so affected by a simple kiss.Did he feel it, too?Or was he…whatwashe trying to do, anyway?
Was he playing with her?Some perverted way of using her gender against her, to lord it over her?
“I…” he said, then cleared his throat.“I don’t know what this is.”
Relief touched her.“Oh, thank goodness.”She rested her head against his shoulder.
