Let It Be Love by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

wicked grin. “You, my dear Fiona, are definitely an opportunity.”
    Her eyes widened. “Be that as it may, I thought as well you would wish to speak to Oliver about my, um, about me.”
    “And I fully intend to speak to him as soon as possible.” His voice was firm. “All about you.”
    “You only have my word as to my background and family and everything else I have told you.” Unease edged her voice. “I also assumed you would want to determine for yourself whether or not we will truly suit one another before a commitment of this nature.”
    “But our meeting was arranged by Norcroft and he is one of my dearest friends. Who better to know if you are indeed perfect for me than a man who has known me for years and, as my friend, has only my best interests at heart?”
    She didn’t so much as flinch at his declaration.
    “My dear Fiona, I have long said that when I find the woman who is precisely what I want, I should not hesitate to make her my own.”
    “Still…don’t you wish to—”
    “What I wish is to take you in my arms.” He suited his actions to his words and pulled her into his embrace, noting a slight reluctance on her part. Obviously part of the act. “And kiss you thoroughly to seal our bargain.”
    “Do you?” She stared up at him, her green eyes wide with a skillful mix of trepidation and anticipation.
    “I can think of nothing I would rather do more.”
    “Then, I suppose…” Her voice had a charmingly breathless quality no doubt honed to perfection on the stage. She raised her chin and her gaze met his in a determined manner. “You should do precisely that.”
    “Indeed I should.” Regardless of who she really was or the jest she was a part of, he fully intended to enjoy this. “And I shall.”
    He pressed his lips to hers and for a moment she stilled, as if uncertain, then her lips opened beneath his. She tasted delightfully of champagne and Christmas spices, secrets and desire. His and possibly hers as well. Excellent. He slanted his mouth harder over hers and his kiss deepened in a greedy manner that was less polished than usual, but he wanted her more than he had expected. In his arms and eventually in his bed.
    She had obviously been kissed and kissed well before now. Still, there was something in the way her hands rested lightly on his shoulders or the slight restraint in the feel of her body pressed against his or a reluctant eagerness in her response that struck him as odd. Perhaps she wasn’t as experienced as most actresses of his acquaintance. Or perhaps she was very skilled at her profession. He scarcely cared at the moment. His mouth plundered hers and desire rose within him. He pulled her tighter against him. The feel of her body next to his, the intimacy of his mouth on hers, caught at something deep inside him, perilously close to his heart, although that was absurd. She was an expert at this and well used to eliciting such reactions from a man. Even so, Jonathon was not at all used to being affected in any manner that was not entirely physical. No doubt it was all that talk of perfection and fate. He gently ended the kiss and raised his head. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly open and she seemed unable to move.
    Whether that was part of her charade or not, he quite liked it. And liked as well the faint dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. He chuckled and her eyes fluttered open.
    “Oh, my.” Her words came in the manner of a woman who has just been well and truly kissed and enjoyed it. Jonathon was confident this particular moment was no act. “That was quite…” Her eyes were wide and a bit glazed. “Quite wonderful.”
    He smiled down at her. “I thought so. But then it would be, wouldn’t it?”
    “Why would it?” She fairly sighed the words.
    “Because we are perfect for one another.” He grinned with satisfaction. “Fated for each other and all that.”
    “All that.” She smiled up at him with that brilliant smile that