A Wish and a Wedding by Margaret Way Read Free Book Online Page B

silver SUV that “came in handy”—Lucinda’s words. Brody and Dawn’s private vehicles, little runarounds, were parked to the left.
    Immediately the Rolls stopped, Tori threw open the door and jumped out, exhaling a long pent-up breath. Relief? No, not relief. What, then? High tension? She couldn’t possibly relax around Haddo. It was a deeply complex thing beyond understanding. She had to pass him to get to the steps that led up to the house. That alone gave her the jitters. How could any man be so sexy? Hastily she slipped out of his jacket and held it out to him, shaking it a little, as though if he didn’t take it immediately she would drop it on the concrete. Her heart was beating awfully fast. She felt naked now, without its warmth and protection.
    â€œWhat? No thanks?” he chided. “Where are your manners, Victoria?” His eyes were so brilliant and mocking they unnerved her.
    â€œI put them away when you’re around,” she responded tartly.
    â€œI haven’t failed to notice. Why so jittery?”
    She was endeavouring to inch by him, but he caught her arm. “For God’s sake, Tori, I’m absolutely harmless.”
    â€œNot damned likely!” she shot back. She could feel the electric connection that surged between them. For her it meant intense physical attraction. God knew what it meant to him.
    â€œLook, why don’t we get this over?” he suggested.
    â€œGet what over?” Oh, oh, oh! A gaping abyss opened up. She could feel her heart commence a slow drumroll. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about, Haddo,” she told him sharply. Lies, all lies.
    â€œI’m pretty sure you do,” he replied. “You’ve been wondering since you were a kid what it would be like if I kissed you.”
    Her cheeks flamed. “Surely you’ve already done it?” she cried, affronted. “You have kissed me. Remember?” She lifted her chin.
    â€œSorry. Actually, I do recall the two of us sharing a pillow for about five seconds,” he said, very dryly. “I had no option but to let you go, Tori.”
    â€œAfter lashing me with your tongue.” The past was swirling around them like a London fog.
    â€œIt was a hellish situation. If I hurt you—”
    â€œAh, don’t give me the if! ” she cried scornfully. “I’m allergic to ifs.”
    He kept his sapphire gaze trained on her. “My suggestion is this. If only to prevent you from having a nervous breakdown every time we’re thrown together, why don’t we get one last kiss out of the way? Think of it as closure, if you like. You may well decide you don’t love me any more.”
    â€œI never loved you in the first place,” she said, with furious offended pride. “You’re just trying to make a fool of me.”
    His eyes dazzled. “And you haven’t given me a rough ride these past four years?”
    â€œSo now you’re going to take me hostage? Is that it? You want to get square? You want to make me grovel?”
    â€œHow can you possibly look at it like that, Tori?” he asked with cool reason. “It’s not an end-of-the-world situation. I just want to get a few things settled.”
    How could he do that, when she was becoming more and more unsettled? “Well, that’s too bad, because I’m not ready to settle anything. I’m going upstairs.” She tried to speak firmly, only the quiver in her voice let her down.
    â€œWe’ll both go up in a minute,” he promised. “This won’t take long.”
    Despite his casual manner, she could see the sizzling intensity in his eyes.
    â€œHaddo, no!” She threw up a hand, bracing herself for the inevitable avalanche of sensation.
    He could see the panic in her eyes. “Come here to me,” he said gently.
    The odd tenderness in his voice played hell with her mixed-up