Alejandro's Revenge by Anne Mather Read Free Book Online Page B

waiting for Luis?’
    â€˜No.’ Alejandro’s mouth compressed for a moment. ‘As a matter of fact, none of the family knows I am here. Exceptfor yourself, por supuesto .’ He paused. ‘Does that bother you?’
    â€˜Why should it bother me?’ she retorted, stung for a moment into revealing her true feelings. But then, realising that was hardly the image Edward would want her to promote, she added, ‘Not at all.’
    â€˜Good.’ Alejandro turned and indicated the row of loungers behind him. ‘Perhaps you will join me?’
    Abby saw now that there was a tray residing on the glass-topped table beside the chair he had been occupying. A jug of freshly squeezed orange juice and two glasses, a pot of coffee, and two cups. He had evidently been expecting company, whatever he said, and she wondered with a momentary frisson of distaste if Lauren had stood him up.
    But, no. That was pandering to Edward’s paranoia, and she had no reason to assume the worst. One of the maids had made an error, had provided breakfast for two instead of one.
    â€˜I’m—not sure that would be a good idea,’ she said at last, even if this was an opportunity to find out what she wanted to know. ‘I was looking for Lauren. Do you know if she’s about?’
    â€˜If I know my cousin, she is unlikely to appear much before noon,’ Alejandro said smoothly. ‘I am sorry I cannot help you there. Perhaps you will reconsider my invitation instead.’
    He had taken a step towards her and Abby had to steel herself not to retreat before his potent masculinity. Her skin prickled in anticipation of his touch, however, and although she might deny it to herself he could still set her pulses racing just by standing close to her.
    â€˜I—don’t know,’ she said unevenly, wishing she could put her emotions aside and deal with him as casually as he was dealing with her. What was wrong with her, for heaven’s sake? It wasn’t as if she still believed in hearts and flowers, after all. After her brief encounter with this man she’d been very careful not to trust too much again.
    â€˜I do not think there would be any harm in us sharing a pot of coffee,’ Alejandro said now, and for a moment she thoughthe was going to take her arm and guide her to a chair. ‘Do not be alarmed, Abigail. I only wish to speak with you. That is all.’
    Was she supposed to be grateful for that? Abigail wondered what he was really thinking behind that cool, disturbing mask. ‘Well—all right,’ she submitted at last, a little breathily. If she wanted him to believe she’d forgotten what had happened two years ago, she would have to do better than this. ‘Where do you want me to sit?’
    Alejandro drew back to indicate a chair at right angles to the table. ‘I think you would be most comfortable there, in the shade,’ he replied, and she sucked in her breath as she circled round him, desperate to avoid any contact between them. He waited until she was seated before taking the chair opposite, sitting sideways on the recliner, legs spread to accommodate the table. ‘Which would you prefer? Orange juice or coffee?’
    In actual fact, Abby would have preferred orange juice, but she needed the caffeine so she chose coffee instead. To her surprise, Alejandro lifted the pot himself, asking her preference for milk and sugar before passing a cup to her.
    She was tempted to say Isn’t this cosy? but she restrained herself. It was just the bubble of hysteria in her stomach that was putting such ideas into her head. Still, the thought of her sitting here, drinking coffee with the man who had seduced her after her brother’s wedding and then allowed her to return to England without once attempting to find out if she was all right was quite incredible. Did he have no shame? When was he going to mention that he’d forgotten to tell her that he