Falling for Alexander (Corkscrew Bay #2) by Claire Robyns Read Free Book Online Page B

honestly, she just wanted to get this gift bought and be done with it.
    She reached up, about to lift one off its hook. He moved at the same time, long fingers brushing hers with lingering, deliberate intent until she regained her senses and jerked her h and away.
    “ Hmm, I would’ve thought you’d spend slightly more on your aunt,” he murmured, flipping the price tag with his thumb. He gave her a pertinent, accusatory look. “It is her fiftieth birthday.”
    Her skin prickled with indignation. Which, she supposed , was a step up from pricking with desire. She watched with rising anger as he stepped closer to a display cabinet that had been arranged with an artist’s touch. Beneath the glass, a miniature shipwreck listing on the bottom of the ocean had been recreated with pearls and semi-precious stones spilling out.
    “ Isn’t it delightful?” exclaimed the silver-haired woman, bustling up to him. “Have you heard of Julianne Rosher?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “She’s a fabulous local jewellery designer and we were so excited when she agreed to exhibit with us.”
    Alexander traced a finger along the glass top, bending over. “ Could I take a look at that one?”
    “ Those are fresh water pearls.” She brought her smile around to Kate as she fiddled with a chain of keys looped through her belt. “The quality is superb, I assure you.”
    Reading the woman ’s assumption correctly, Alexander inserted, “The necklace is an emergency gift for my housekeeper.”
    Kate spluttered.
    Alexander gave her a sardonic look. “The pearls are roped onto leather. I’m confident a lovely piece like this will persuade Mrs. Pinnings to abandon her self-imposed ban.”
    Her jaw locked in disbelief. She spun away from the infuriating man and grabbed the first thing her eyes landed on, muttering beneath her breath on the way to the cashier. Daring him to say one more word on her choice of gift.
    Unfortunately, he never did.

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    And this, Kate thought snidely as she slid into her chair a short while later, is why your mother taught you not to lie. She dumped the statue on the slatted floor beside her and gave it a gruelling stare. The three-foot black porcelain cat stared back at her through glassy eyes, a creepy smile slashed behind white leathery whiskers.
    The bistro they ’d chosen had a deck extending onto the sandy beach, their table shaded beneath a canvas awning. She took a deep breath of fresh, tangy air, then expelled it along with the bulk of her irritation.
    Recalling the signs of attraction Alexander had managed to control, but not hide completely, she felt even more inclined to let the resentment go. So, he’d played the game better than her. If that was because he’d had a lot more practice at living a lie, he could take the victory with her blessing.
    Once this trip was over, she promised herself, she ’d never lie again. Not even a small white fib.
    As soon as their order was taken, Alexander settled deeper in his padded bamboo lounge chair. “ I don’t know about the food yet, but the view is beautiful,” he drawled, a grin sliding over his jaw, his head turned to her instead of the ocean vista.
    Fool me once… So why was her pulse hiccupping beneath that hidden gaze? She bristled, although that bristle took more effort than it should have. Her eyes flew from him and landed on the useless cat.
    Maybe not so useles s, she decided as a memory sparked.
    The change of topic was welcome.
    She brought a smile up to the table. “I haven’t told you about the ninth Earl of Ashley, have I? In 1902, he returned from India with a tiger. An actual tiger! My great, great, great uncle was summoned to the castle—”
    “ As fascinating as your earful of anecdotes is,” Alexander cut in, “they’re not your story. They don’t tell me who you are.”
    She frowned at him. “ Then you aren’t listening properly.”
    “ Give me one thing, Kate.” He tipped his sunglasses