Page 29 of Bound By Her Shocking Secret

Mia turned to look at him now and her scent tickled his nostrils, light and fresh but with a musky base. Not unlike her. His first impression of her had been that she was sunny and carefree, but as he’d got to know her she’d shown more complex layers.

She said, ‘I’m not wearing any jewellery. Will that be an issue?’

When Daniel had first seen her in the dress he’d automatically known that diamonds would show it, and her, off to their best advantage. And he’d known exactly which ones.

He looked at her. ‘You wouldn’t mind wearing it?’

She avoided his eye and he felt a physical surge of anger again at the thought of what her so-called boyfriend had done to her.Trailer trash.

‘It wasn’t the jewellery I had an issue with, it was the gift. I didn’t want to be made a fool of again.’

Unable to help himself, Daniel reached out and touched Mia’s jaw, making her turn her face towards him. ‘He was the fool, Mia. Never you.’

He saw her throat work as she swallowed. Saw the flare of emotion in her eyes making them brighter green.

‘You don’t need to say that.’

The urge to kiss her in that moment was huge. Daniel almost shook with the effort it took not to tug her close. But they were pulling up outside the majestic Palais Garnier now, so Daniel reluctantly took his hand down and said, ‘We’re here.’

CHAPTER SIX

MIA’SFINGERSTIGHTENEDaround Daniel’s hand as they stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the majestic entrance. He shot her a look. She gave an imperceptible nod to say she was ready, when she was anything but.

They walked up the steps that were overlaid with a red carpet. Mia was very aware of Daniel’s physicality next to her, oozing Alpha male energy. His bespoke classic black tuxedo fitted like a second skin, enhancing his lean strength. She’d been blisteringly aware of him in the back of the car beside her, and she was still breathless from the way he’d touched her and looked at her. From what he’d said.

‘He was the fool.’

It hadn’t meant anything. Not really. She had to get her desire and her rampant imagination under control. If he suspected she still wanted him she would literally have no dignity left.

People were turning to look at them. Eyes widened when they recognised who Daniel was. Then slid to her. Instinctively Mia lifted her chin. And then the paparazzi spotted them. But this time she was prepared, and she felt herself automatically slipping into work mode, so she could pretend this was just a photo shoot and counteract the intimidation she felt.

When they reached the entrance Daniel stopped. Mia looked up at him, hoping that he couldn’t see the effect he was having on her. And then, before she could say or do anything, he was sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her into him.

It all happened too quickly for her to put up her guard, especially when she still felt a little raw after his words and the way he’d looked at her in the car. She couldn’t fight the helpless temptation to go with the flow of her blood—which was towards Daniel. To get closer. With his free hand, he tipped up her chin. All she could see were those grey eyes.

The emotions he aroused were fading into the background to be replaced with pure physicality. She craved to have his mouth on hers with a hunger that blotted everything else out. All concerns. Without even being aware of it, her hand found and curled around the lapel of his jacket, as if to stop him pulling away.

It had been like this between them from that first day they’d met. Instant heat. An urgency.

And then Daniel’s mouth was on hers and a deep sigh moved through Mia. The past fell away. There was only this moment and the familiar firm contours of his mouth, enticing her to open up to him, to take the kiss deeper. She did it without thinking, acting instinctively. It was as if they’d kissed only yesterday, and also as if it had been a thousand years ago. Both achingly familiar and new again. His tongue touching hers lit a fuse that connected directly to the pulse of heat between her legs.

But then Daniel was pulling back, taking his mouth off hers. Mia heard the sound of people around her, the outside world slowly breaking through the heat haze in her brain. And with the sounds came the crash of reality.

Her eyes snapped open. Daniel was looking down at her with no discernible expression on his face.

The full impact of what she’d just allowed to happen—enthusiastically participated in—hit her like a body-blow.

Daniel’s arm was still around her waist. She pushed against his chest, when a moment ago she’d been pulling him closer.

‘What was that in aid of?’Bit late for outrage now, jeered a voice in Mia’s head.

‘We’re meant to be reunited, remember? The object of this evening is to convince people that there’s really no story.’

Mia was aware of pops of light coming from the direction of the photographers. Self-consciousness crawled up her spine. Daniel had known what he was doing. He’d executed a perfectly clinical kiss for the cameras. And it was too late for her to act blasé.

She pulled away and Daniel’s arm slackened enough to let her step back. ‘Next time,’ she said, ‘do me the courtesy of asking first.’

She turned and stalked ahead of him into the building. Not even the sight of the grand marble staircase and the lavish Baroque-inspired interior could distract her from the fact that even if he’d asked her permission she still would have said yes.

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