Master of Bella Terra by Christina Hollis Read Free Book Online Page B

resourceful as you are talented and beautiful.’
    He reached out to her. As he took the towel from her hands, their fingers brushed against each other. His touch was light as an angel’s kiss, but it sent lightning coursing straight through Kira’s body. She gasped.A thunderbolt crashed directly overhead, but neither noticed.
    Stefano was looking deep into her eyes, and nothing else mattered.

CHAPTER FOUR
    T HE universe held its breath. Kira gazed at the gorgeous man standing just out of her reach. Her body ached to touch him. She could think of a million and one reasons why she should take that single step down into his arms. Only one thing stopped her. There was already a monumental mistake in her past. Kira was no longer the innocent girl she had once been, long ago and far away. She had forged a new life since then and almost learned to trust her instincts again, but she had never been faced by a choice like this before. Every fibre screamed at her to fall into Stefano’s arms. At the same time, every cruel word and accusation she had suffered in the past kept her nailed to the spot.
    Stefano came up a step to join her. Taking the towel from her hands, he draped it over her head. Very gently, he began massaging her hair dry. His light, sure touches made Kira wonder how many other women he had treated in this way. It was impossible to know. That was the danger. She knew what powerful men were like. They acted with confidence, and never left any room for refusal. She had the horrible fear that once she was in his arms he would give her no time to think. It would be bed, and then treachery. It might take a day, a weekor a month before he deceived her, but the result would be the same. He would carry on as though nothing had happened. She would be totally crushed. It had happened to her once before, and Kira was not about to let herself become a victim again.
    She put up her hands, shrinking back and trying to intercept his movements. His fingers closed over hers and gently pushed the towel back over her head. The clip securing her tumble of auburn hair fell away. It clattered down the staircase. Kira barely noticed. She was completely absorbed by the look in Stefano’s eyes as he drew the towel away from her hair. The appreciation she saw was all for her. She began to tremble, but now it was with anticipation, not fear. She had never known such a wild yearning before.
    She swallowed hard. There was nothing in her mouth but the taste of temptation. His eyes levelled a steady, questioning gaze, willing Kira to read what she wanted in them. It was mesmerising, but she could not escape the feeling of being confined in her own home. To take a step forward would lead straight into his arms. Kira refused to repeat her mistakes, and the irresistible Stefano Albani showed all the signs of being a disaster waiting to happen—to her.
    She couldn’t allow herself to fall under his spell.
    â€˜This is dangerous,’ she said, forcing a laugh when he showed no sign of moving. ‘Didn’t you ever get told not to fool about on stairs?’
    â€˜No. But then, if I had I wouldn’t be where I am today.’
    Turning, he headed back down the stairs.
    Kira was torn between relief and disappointment. When he walked away it was because he was unwillingto open up about himself. They had that in common, she recognised. It gave her enough courage to follow him downstairs. Although unable to take that one momentous step into his arms, she did not want to lose touch with him altogether.
    â€˜It’s still pouring out there, Stefano. Why don’t you stay for a coffee?’ she ventured.
    He did not look at her. Instead, he went over to the open front door. There he stood with one hand on either side of the door frame. When he spoke, his voice was as light and careless as hers.
    â€˜That would be great. And I meant what I said about wanting you to work for me.’
    They might as well have still