0263249026 (R) by Bella Frances Read Free Book Online

tired.
    And outside the night was turning to day and the day was only beginning.

CHAPTER FOUR
    R OCCO HAD THREE HOUSES and one boat. His town house in Recoleta was mere streets away. They could walk it. His estancia, La Colorada, was two hours away by car. His seafront villa in Punta del Este was a short helicopter trip away. And his boat was somewhere off the coast of Cayman.
    His head rolled options like dice as he palmed the small of Frankie’s back and escorted her out.
    He wanted unrestricted, uninterrupted access and time with this woman. He deserved it—he needed it. And so did she.
    He glanced at her and she turned big hazel eyes up to him. He put his arm round her shoulders and squeezed her into his side. She reached up and touched his chest, scraped her fingers across the new wound that throbbed under his shirt. Better than any physio, she would be the ultimate remedy for every last thumping bruise and cut from today’s match.
    ‘How long until you go back to Europe?’
    He nodded to the doorman and walked her down the carpeted steps. His car rolled into view. He checked each way and across the street. Nobody. He checked behind them. Clear. He always checked. He was always his own security, but he was hers, too—for now.
    ‘A week. We go to Punta del Este later today—Esme and Brett and me. Then I have a business trip to the Pampas on Thursday. Flying back on Friday.’
    So she was heading to Punta, too?
    ‘They’ll be going to the Turlington Club party,’ he said, almost to himself. So was he. He never missed it.
    But if the world was heading to Punta, he would be heading in the opposite direction. With Frankie.
    ‘I’ll take you to Punta. Tomorrow.’
    Dice rolled. Decision made.
    She stopped right there on the pavement, a flare of anger replacing the passion that had flooded her body. ‘I told you my plans. There’s no way I’m changing them.’
    ‘No? You’ve already changed them. You’re here now. Are you really saying that you’d rather lie on a beach with your friend than climb into bed with me?’
    He trailed a thumb across her jaw as her mouth pursed, framed a retort, then slid into a sexy smirk.
    She dipped her eyes, then fired him a look. ‘I’ll give you a day of my time. After that I’m back on plan.’
    He couldn’t help but smile back. He didn’t normally deal well with independence—women were all about love, not combat. But for the few hours they were going to have together, it wasn’t going to be a deal-breaker. So far it had even added to her allure. So far …
    He kept his hand on her jaw.
    ‘I’ll take your kind offer of a day.’
    He stepped a little closer to her, gripped her chin a little more firmly and watched as she dragged a breath in through bared teeth.
    ‘And since that’s all you’re offering, we’re not going to waste a moment. I’ve got a place round the corner …’
    His eyes dropped to her mouth. Wet lips.
    ‘If you behave yourself I’ll take you to your friendsso you’re …”back on plan”. Does that meet with your approval?’
    Her narrowed eyes signalled that she knew he was mocking her.
    ‘It does.’
    ‘Excellent. Our first compromise. We’ll head straight to my town house, then.’
    He held open the car door and waited. She fired him a look that told him he’d only won the first round. Then she slid inside. He scanned the street again and joined her.
    The moment he closed the door they slammed together across the leather.
    Seconds later and the flames roared around them. A pyre of passion.
    But she hauled herself back, splayed her hands on his thighs and looked up, straight into his eyes.
    ‘Just for the record, I wasn’t playing games. I went to the party because I didn’t want to let Esme down—not to flaunt myself in front of you. If it hadn’t been for her I’d still be tucked up in my bed. So consider yourself lucky.’
    Still in combat.
    He grabbed her bare arms, his fingers closing round them easily. He stifled a