Page 48 of Bound By Her Shocking Secret

She’d braced herself for any number of things Daniel might say, so when he said, ‘You’re probably right,’ she felt a shameful rush of disappointment. She hadn’t expected him to agree with her.

He took a sip of wine and then looked at her. ‘But if you think you’re strong enough to resist what’s between us then you’re stronger than I am.’

Mia felt panicky. She should have known he wasn’t giving in. ‘But it’s just...chemistry. It’ll burn out.’

‘It hasn’t burnt out in two years.’

Mia’s insides quivered. No, it hadn’t. And Daniel hadn’t slept with anyone else in two years. That reminder made all sorts of illicit emotions spiral inside Mia.

Their starters arrived and for once Mia was barely aware of the food—a deliciously light seafood chowder.

Somehow they managed to keep to neutral topics while eating, as if there wasn’t a thick undercurrent of tension running between them, but when they’d finished eating he said, ‘I only realised after you told me about your first boyfriend what a betrayal it must have been to learn of the agreement between me and Sophie Valois. No wonder it upset you.’

Mia’s insides went into freefall. She hadn’t expected Daniel to think of that. She shrugged minutely, as if that moment hadn’t destroyed her as much as she hated to admit it had.

‘It was coincidental,’ she said.

‘Still... I’m sorry.’

She looked at him, her precious defences wobbling. ‘How were you to know?’

His mouth quirked. ‘You did a very good job of not revealing anything much about yourself or your life.’

All designed to keep him out and keep herself safe. Which had not worked.

She felt defensive. ‘You weren’t exactly an open book either.’

‘I met my match in you. I was used to women seeking to unearth as much personal detail as possible. You were...refreshingly uninterested. But then I found myself resenting your lack of interest slightly.’

They were interrupted by the waitress with coffee before Mia could fully absorb that and figure out what it might mean. She sipped the rich, dark drink, hoping that it would dispel some of the intensity she felt in these far too romantic surroundings.

When a local came over to greet Daniel, Mia welcomed the distraction, and the diversion from her urge to point out that, contrary to what Daniel had believed, she’d been fartoointerested in him. And that holding him at arm’s length had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. And ultimately futile.

CHAPTER NINE

WHENTHEYARRIVEDback at the house a short time later, Mia felt ultra-aware of Daniel. In spite of her best intentions and instinct for self-preservation, she feared that today and then this evening had fatefully worn down her will to resist the temptation Daniel offered. It hummed between them...the invitation.

He turned around to face her. The house was silent. Mia felt a mixture of panic and illicit excitement.

Ridiculously nervous, she said, ‘I should check on Lexi.’

‘She’s in Odile’s room.’

‘Oh, yes,’ she said weakly.

Daniel wasn’t fooled for a second. He moved closer and Mia refused to let him see how conflicted she felt. She knew she should walk away...but she couldn’t. She felt bound to him in a way that she hadn’t felt before.

He brought his hand up, trailing a knuckle lightly along her jaw, which was almost as incendiary as if he’d kissed her.

‘Mia, you know I want you. But, like I said, if you’re strong enough to resist this then I won’t push you.’

Mia’s heart thumped so loud she was sure it must be audible. She swallowed. ‘Last night...today... I don’t know what’s happening...where we are. How to...navigate this...’

‘What’s happening is inevitable when the chemistry is this strong. Maybe instead of fighting it, trust that it’s taking us in the right direction. As a family. We’re a family now, Mia, no matter what.’

It was that word that seemed to dissolve the last of the barriers that Mia had been so intent on throwing up. The chatter in her head stopped. She wanted Daniel. She’d never stopped wanting him. She’d used to look at men and wonder why they left her cold. Would any other man ever turn her on again?

The answer was standing right in front of her, and suddenly it seemed so simple.

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