Reckless Nights in Rome Read Online Free Page B

precise tone. Although why it
annoyed him so much, he couldn’t say.
    When he’d
plucked her from certain injury and held her close, the unique
scent of neroli mingled with warm female, along with the impact of
those big eyes and her smile, had thrown him. He must be tired he
decided, because no woman had ever affected him in this way.
    The condoms she
carried and her embarrassment intrigued him too. She had an air of
refinement and exuded pure class. He couldn’t imagine someone with
her style would need a blind date or consider a fling with one.
This just went to show that looks could be deceptive.
    But when that
chin and those eyes had issued a direct challenge, it would take a
stronger man than him to resist.
    Bronte’s soft
wide mouth was sheer temptation and the urge to take swept over
him. Only the cloud of vulnerability in her eyes held him back. And
she was not a coward. No woman of his acquaintance would dare speak
to him the way Bronte did. She had been through enough this evening
at the hands of another.
    He fought to
keep his tone level, his voice soothing without taking his eyes off
hers.
    “What happened
this evening, Bronte?”
    Her brows drew
together at his change of subject.
    His thumb
rubbed the hectic pulse under the soft skin of her wrist and she
winced in pain.
    With a frown,
he pulled up the sleeve of her jacket, sweater and switched on the
interior lights. The livid marks had him catch his breath. Had he
put those fingerprints on her skin? Never.
    Furious, his
eyes captured hers. “He did this?”
    She blinked up
at him like an owl. The angry expression on her face vanished to be
replaced by one of genuine distress. It made him want to hold her
tight, to offer comfort, to protect. Alarm pealed in his mind,
Bronte Ludlow was not his concern. It must be jet lag; she had a
brother to watch over her. Nico released her as if she’d burned him
and leaned back.
    Rubbing her
wrist, Bronte’s eyes glittered into his.
    “He put his
hands where they weren’t wanted and paid the price. You would do
well to remember that, Mr Ferranti.”
    The girl, he
realised with admiration, didn’t know when to give in.
    “I understand
you’re supplying the wedding cake tomorrow.”
    “Yes,” she told
him, those green eyes too watchful now and too wary. “A little
hobby of mine. I fit it in between peeling the grapes I eat with my
silver spoon.” Nico almost smiled when she frowned in a way he was
beginning to find adorable. She continued, “What has that got to do
with anything?”
    He wasn’t above
using subtle intimidation in business or in his personal life.
    “If you want to
keep the contract, I suggest you mind your manners, Ms Ludlow.”
    Stunning
emerald eyes glittered into his. Nico found himself taken aback by
her reaction. Was that a smirk on her beautiful face?
    “Are you
threatening me, Mr Ferranti?” Shoulders back, she looked down her
nose as if he was a bad smell. It was a unique experience and Nico
found he did not care for it.
    Seriously
annoyed now, he leaned forward and was small enough to feel
satisfaction when she retreated against the door. He almost touched
a finger to the frantic pulse in her neck, and then changed his
mind. After a decent night’s sleep, he would deal with Bronte
Ludlow tomorrow.
    “Alexander will
be in Europe for four weeks and you will deal with me. I don’t care
if you are his sister. I expect only the best from my
contractors.”
    Giving him a
look that would melt solid steel, Bronte opened the door and got
out.
    Then she leaned
into the car with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
    “I look forward
to working with you, Mr Ferranti,” she said in a silky voice before
closing the car door.
    As he drove
back to Ludlow Hall, Nico knew he had not come out the winner this
evening. And put it down to a lack of sleep.
    However, he
wasn’t too tired to make sure that Alexander dealt with Anthony in
a proper and fitting manner. Nico was looking forward to