His Forbidden Bride by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page B

also clear that she was expected to set out the plates, and divide the
    food between them. Woman's work, she supposed with irony. And found
    herself wondering who had assembled the picnic in the first place.
    Yet, in spite of her reservations, she enjoyed the meal. The chicken was
    succulent and the olives and tomatoes had a superb tangy flavour that
    made those in the supermarket at home seem pal id by comparison.
    'Would you like a peach?' He peeled it for her deftly, and she watched his
    hands, observing the long fingers and wel -kept nails. Pretty fastidious for a
    gardener, she thought. And although his deep voice with its husky timbre
    was faintly accented, his English seemed faultless.
    Andreas, she thought, and wondered…
    The fruit was marvel ous, too, ripe and sweet, although she was
    embarrassed to find the juice running down heir chin, and into the cleft
    between her breasts. Something that was not lost on him, she realised with
    vexation, trying to mop herself discreetly with her napkin.
    To deflect his attention, she said, 'Do you like gardening?'
    'I enjoy seeing the results,' he said. 'Why? Are you thinking of hiring my
    services when you come to live at the house?'
    She dried her fingers. 'I haven't given it a thought,' she fibbed.
    He shrugged a shoulder. 'Then think of it now.'
    'Are you so much in demand?'
    'Of course,' he said promptly. 'But I could be persuaded to make time for you
    in my busy schedule.'
    He either had the biggest ego in the western world, Zoe told herself
    seething, or it was a wind-up, and she was sure it was the latter.
    But whichever it was, it remained light years away from the taciturn attitude
    of Mr Harbutt, who wore heavy boots and corduroy trousers summer and
    winter, and smel ed faintly of compost, and who'd done the heavy digging at
    the cottage for her mother.
    She said cool y, 'I think you could prove too expensive for me.'
    'You devastate me,' Andreas said lightly. 'Perhaps we could work out a deal
    together—some kind of reciprocal arrangement.' He watched her stiffen,
    then went on silkily, 'Much of the island's economy is conducted on the
    barter system. If you are to live here you will have to accustom yourself.' He
    paused. 'Tel me, Zoe mou , what do you do for a living?'
    'I teach,' she said shortly. 'English.'
    'Then there is no problem,' he said. 'I wil look after your garden. You can
    give me English lessons.'
    Zoe sent him a fulminating look. 'I think your English is quite good enough
    already.'
    His own eyes danced. There were, she noticed unwillingly, tiny gold flecks in
    their dark depths. 'Thank you,' he said. 'I think.' He sighed elaborately. 'Then
    we wil just have to come up with something else.'
    'Or I could simply find another gardener.' She paused. 'But perhaps your
    boss wil refuse to rent the house to me.'
    'I do not see how he could resist you, Zoe mou . Particularly when I shall give you my strongest endorsement.'
    'You think mowing grass and removing weeds gives you special insight into
    character?' Her brows lifted. 'How fascinating. And your boss wil listen to
    you?'
    'He trusts my judgement,' Andreas said slowly. 'When I tel him which plants
    will grow and thrive, and those that are weak and not worth the trouble. I find
    human nature is much the same.'
    Aghast, she heard herself say, 'And which am I?'
    There was a sudden hard edge to his smile. 'When I have come to a
    decision, Zoe mou , I wil tel you.'
    He col ected up the debris from their meal and put it back in the cool-box.
    Then he stood up, unzipped his shorts unhurriedly, and stepped out of them,
    revealing brief black swimming trunks, and walked off down the beach.
    She felt her mouth dry as she watched him go. He had a miraculous body,
    she thought, lean, hard and perfectly proportioned. And a long, lithe stride
    like the prowl of some great cat.
    And while the predator was away, the mouse would be wise to make a dash
    for it, she told herself, swiftly pulling herself together as he