His Rules: Ludlow Nights - Book1 (A Ludlow Nights Romance) Read Online Free Page B

his eyes, something that a sixth sense was warning her was primitive, dangerous. His eyes were dark, edged with a tawny ring she found absolutely fascinating. And how fair was it that his black eyelashes were obscenely long and thick?
    " Qual e il suo nome ?"
    The request was a snapped command.
    Anastacia knew enough Italian to understand, What is your name?
    Her heart did that fluttering thing against her ribs again and this time she felt it in her belly, too.
    She swallowed, determined not to show weakness.
    "Anastacia."
    " Piccola strega ," he muttered. She frowned since she'd no idea what he'd called her, but by the tone it didn't sound very... nice. She'd need to look it up. His eyes narrowed. "Is that all of it?"
    His voice was indeed like Nico's, deep and growly.
    And because it annoyed her that his English was eloquent and smoothly spoken, her chin tilted.
    "Anastacia Morgan," she said in a very cool voice. And added in the same tone, "Good game."
    She watched him frown both at her tone and the delivery.
    Those dark eyes searched her face, scanned her hair.
    "I want to see you."
    Silence.
    She was about to ask him if she'd suddenly become invisible, when the penny dropped.
    My God, he was hitting on her.
    A laugh gurgled into her throat so she coughed to clear it.
    Gave him big eyes.
    "Oh, you can count on it, boyo," she said. Then a thought hit her. "What else do you do... apart from playing football?"
    " Mi scuse? " The way his face was a picture of bafflement made her bite down hard on the tip of her tongue.
    "Like, for example, can you abseil?"
    He blinked.
    And she realized he was not keeping up with the speed of her brain.
    Maybe his English wasn’t as good as she’d thought?
    Anastacia suppressed a niggle of disappointment, a sigh. Ah well, he looked pretty, but apparently no Einstein. On the plus side, a lack of working neurons should make him easy to handle.
    "Rappel down a cliff-face," she told him helpfully.
    " Si , I know what abseiling is. It is against my contract, like white-water rafting or bull riding. Perche? "
    "Just a thought. Don't worry about it."
    Still looking confused Olivier opened his mouth, but Nico beat him to it.
    " Molto bene , I see you are getting to know each other," He beamed benevolently as he wrapped an arm around them and squeezed. "You are going to make a great team."
    Olivier frowned. "We are?"
    " Si , Anastacia is the expert I mentioned. She will oversee all the arrangements, the filming, and she will travel with you to all three cities. You can place yourself entirely in her capable hands."
    Olivier shook his head, took a step back.
    Anastacia watched his reaction with interest.
    She recognized fear when she saw it, when she smelled it.
    " No, grazie, Nico..."
    And when she heard it.
    If the man hadn't been absolutely perfect for the Boutique hotel campaign, she'd have let his gutlessness slide. At least that's what she told herself.
    "Maybe our football star can't take direction from a woman," she said now. Her silky tone held a clear challenge. A challenge that made both men turn to her and blink.
    Nico opened his mouth, but Olivier, face flushed, stepped right into her personal space.
    "After the European final I am all yours, Anastacia," he said, in a tone that tossed her challenge right back in her face. His deep voice, the way her name rolled off an Italian tongue, made her knees week.
    Anastacia decided the situation needed clarity.
    "Good. You're a sportsman, used to following set rules. As long as you follow my rules there won't be a problem."
    Olivier took her hand in his and smiled.
    The smile didn't reach his eyes.
    Eyes that remained fixed on hers.
    She told herself the tiny tremor that raced up her spine was nerves and nothing more.
    He bent his head to press a whisper of a kiss on her cheek and then the other.
    The fine hair on her neck stood on end as he whispered in her ear,
    "Game on."
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    How it happened, Anastacia had no