Page 47 of Bound By Her Shocking Secret

Mia glared at Daniel above Odile’s head. This washissneaky doing. Arranging to take her out for dinner and conspiring with Odile. And she hated the betraying little frisson of anticipation that sizzled in her blood at the thought of going on a ‘date’.

Where was her resolve from earlier?

Mia feared it had been fatally eroded due to spending the entire day with Daniel and watching him bond with his daughter. Not to mention the fact that she’d been in a weakened and susceptible state since last night.

She threw up her hands. ‘Okay, fine. I’ll get changed.’

She swore that if Daniel so much as smirked she’d change her mind, but he seemed to have the presence of mind not to push it.

She grumbled at herself as she took a quick shower and changed into a very plain sundress that she’d found in the dressing room. Dark green, thin straps. A little scallop detail around the edges, buttons down the front. Sandals.

She put her hair up in a rough bun and didn’t bother with make-up. She didn’t want Daniel to think she was making an effort, as if this was a real date. But her belly flip-flopped to think of exactly where they stood now. After last night. After today.

The day had passed far too easily and pleasantly in a national park. Lexi had loved the exotic colourful birds flying over their heads, and Daniel had carried her in a papoose against his chest, making Mia feel positively, shamefully, weak-kneed.

They’d conversed easily. It had reminded her painfully of how it had been between them before. How it had always taken her by surprise that she felt so comfortable with a man like him. It had reminded her of how close she’d come to hoping for more from Daniel.

But she’d excised those feelings from her heart. No matter how much he tugged on her emotions now she would not be so foolish again. She couldn’t let him continue this seduction, because she knew that, no matter what their physical connection said, emotionally Daniel was not available.

He’d never wanted a baby, or a family, and he was only making this effort now because he felt a sense of responsibility.

By the time Mia and Daniel arrived at a charming two-level restaurant in the pretty little town of Santa Teresa she was almost rigid with the effort it was taking not to respond to Daniel—casually sexy in linen trousers and a white shirt that stretched almost indecently across his broad chest.

The same chest where he’d cradled their daughter for most of the day. An image that Mia could not get out of her head.

When he put his hand on her back to guide her into the restaurant she tensed even more, earning a frowning glance. But the maître d’ approached before Daniel could say anything, fawning over them and taking them up to the top outdoor level and leading them over to a secluded table set out on a small balcony, overlooking the town and the sea beyond.

A full moon hung low in the lavender-hued sky. Candles flickered in the gentle breeze. It was simple and rustic and elegant all at once. There were small posies of local flowers in the middle of the table. Soft music played, and Mia recognised a world-famous Cuban band.

When the maître d’ had left, Mia said, ‘You really didn’t have to go to this trouble.’

Daniel sat back. ‘I like to eat, and we know you like to eat—it’s no trouble.’

She would have scowled at him, but a waitress approached to give them water and tell them the specials.

When she was gone, Daniel sat forward. ‘You look beautiful tonight.’

Mia looked at him suspiciously. Her dress really wasn’t special. She’d made no great effort. She wondered if Daniel was making a point. She looked around and saw women in sleek tunic dresses, limbs glowing with their Costa Rican tan. Men in suits. Gold jewellery catching the light. Perfume scenting the air.

She felt churlish now. Guilty. ‘I probably should have made more of an effort.’

Daniel shook his head, mouth quirking. ‘You really don’t know how beautiful you are.’

Now she blushed. ‘You don’t have to say that.’

‘It’s true. When the Delphine campaign is launched, your life is going to change. You’ll be in serious demand.’

Mia rolled her eyes. ‘I doubt that. I’ve never been in high demand and that’s okay with me.’ Before he could say anything else to seriously unsettle her, Mia said, ‘This is all very nice, but you need to know that I’m not here to be seduced, Daniel. Last night was...a mistake.’

A mind-blowing mistake.

She shook her head. ‘It can’t happen again.’

The waitress came back with a bottle of white wine and poured it. Daniel lifted his glass and held it out.‘Salud.’

It was as if she’d said nothing.

Mia clinked her glass on his and said, ‘I mean it, Daniel.’

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