Love Play by Rosemary Rogers by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

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self-sufficient. Pardon me, Miss Adams! And yes, I told Paul that I would come
and drive you to the restaurant - his wife, Monique, is always late.'
    It was anger at herself, especially for having gawked at him like a
love-struck teenager, that made Sara snap back: 'I do hope that doesn't mean
that Mr and Mrs Drury will not be there? After all Mr - '
    She was sorry after the words had slipped out; seeing the lightening of
the muscles in that hard, implacable face. Something flamed out of his eyes at
her that made her want to flinch away before they became as stonily opaque as
chips of obsidian.
    'So, Miss Adams, you are concerned that we have not been formally
introduced?' The deceptive softness of his voice reminded Sara of the velvet
paw-pat of a great cat before its claws sprang out for the kill. 'But you see,
since Paul told me you had agreed to meet me at dinner, I naturally took it for
granted that you had no objections to meeting a stranger who happens to be an
admirer ... of your talents. However — please allow me to introduce myself- I
am the Duca di Cavalieri.'
    His formal bow as he kissed Sara's nerveless hand was altogether
correct, but his lips seemed to burn like fire against her cold skin, so that
it was all she could do not to snatch it away from him gracelessly.
    He had left her speechless, and as if he fully realised and relished her
discomfiture he smiled - a mere pulling upwards of his lips that could also
have been a sneer. 'You are obviously Miss Delight Adams, yes? And since this
is America, where people are not as formal as they are in Europe, you may call
me Riccardo - if I may be permitted to call you Delight? Such an unusual name -
like a promise...'
    'It... it was merely one of my mother's flights of fancy, I'm afraid!'
Finding her voice at last, Sara strove for coolness while he watched her like a
smiling predator who was only too sure of his prey. Well, she'd show him! And
she'd ignore that last suggestively questioning statement! She must strive for
her sister's air of cool impudence and face him down. Now she pouted slightly,
putting her hand on his arm and feeling steel-corded muscles tense under her
touch.
    'Look, I'm sorry if I sounded rude just now, but a girl in this town
learns to be cautious, if you know what I mean? It was nice of you to come pick
me up ... Riccardo. Can we start all over from there?'
    A Duke, no less! Was he real? And Paul Drury had said 'rich' - she had
imagined that what was left of the Italian nobility were penniless, for the
most part.
    'We can start from anywhere you please, Delight.' Another one of those
double-edged remarks, Sara thought mutinously, feeling her temper rise. But she
didn't protest when he gripped her elbow firmly and led her out to where his
car was parked, guarded by an admiring teenager who accepted the unobtrusively
passed bill Riccardo handed him without taking his eyes off the shiny
Lamborghini.
    'It was my pleasure, mister. That's some mean machine!'
    'Yes — but hard to drive here in Los Angeles.' Helping Sara in, his
fingers brushed against her skin for an instant, and she was glad he could not
feel the involuntary catch of her breath. 'A machine like this is meant to be
driven very fast, especially this one, for I have had the engine modified
for   racing.'
    'You ever raced her?'
    'A few times. But not in this country. Not yet.'
    'Well- good luck!'
    As they drove off Sara could not help murmuring, 'A democratic Duke?'
    Concentrating on the traffic, he did not look at her, although she could
feel, rather than see his slight shrug. 'We had something in common. The love
of beautiful machinery and the taking of risks.'
    'Well, I'm glad you save that for the racing track. It's risky enough
just driving around Los Angeles as it is -especially during rush hour!'
    'It depends on the driver of course. Do you drive . . . Delight?' She
thought he said her name almost reluctantly -perhaps it sounded too fancy and
frivolous for his