VINA IN VENICE (THE 5 SISTERS) by Kimberley Reeves Read Free Book Online Page A

younger than her twenty-five years.   The women Travis dated would have been mortified to be seen without their faces painted or dressed in such casual attire, but to him, Vina looked as luscious and ripe as a Georgia peach .  A nd every bit as mouth watering.  
    It drained every ounce of will power to let go of her after accept ing the warm hug she gave him .  E very male hormone in his body begg ed him to keep Vina locked in his arms and kiss her senseless , but the last thing he want ed to do was scare her off .   For his own peace of mind, Travis moved away from her to put some distance between him self and temp t ation .
    Vina dropped her purse on the coffee table and studied him for a moment.  “Are you okay with this, Travis?”
    “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”
    “I’m not talking about the dance lessons.  A re you okay with everything else? ”
    Travis grinned.  “You mean an all expenses paid trip to Venice with a beautiful woman that I just happen to adore?  It’s going to be tough, but I think I can manage.”
    “ You’re being very cavalier, but it is an awful lot to ask of you ,” Vina replied .   “With the business booming at Malone’s and the opening of the new restaurant , I know you can’t really afford to take off for a month.   So, if you want to…bow out, I’ll understand.”
    “ I made a promise to your parents, Vina, and I intend to keep it.”
    Vina visibly bristled.  “ If you’re only doing this because you feel obligated to, I’m sure I can find someone to take your place.”
    Jealousy wasn’t an emotion Travis was familiar with, but he recognized the sharp pang of green spear ing through hi s chest f or what it was .   He hadn’t liked it when Vina went out on dates, but she rarely went out with the same man more than twice.  And since she’d never expressed a real interest in any of them, there had been no reason for the possessive kind of jealousy he was feeling now.
    “Are you saying you don’t want me to go?” Travis forced the words out.
    “ Of course I want you to go.  But it won’t be any fun for either of us if you resent being emotionally blackmailed into doing it.”
    Travis arched a brow.  “Who said anything about being blackmailed, emotional or otherwise?”
    “ You said my parents made you promise , and the only way they could get you to take that much time away from your business responsibilities was to guilt you into it.”
    “ If that’s what is bothering you, then you’re worrying for nothing.  I wasn’t coerced into making the promise.  They asked me to watch over you because they trusted me , and I accepted because I wanted to.”    
    “ You really mean that?” Vina asked with a tremulous smile.
    “You know I do,” he said softy.
    “Are you still up for those dancing lessons?”
    “Madam,” Travis bowed gallantly, “I am yours for the entire evening.”
    ***
    Vina flopped down on the sofa next to Travis.  “I have to confess, I didn’t think you were being completely honest when you told me you knew the minuet.”
    “You thought I lied to you?”
    “Quit with the injured look,” Vina nudged him with her elbow.  “I didn’t think you lied…exactly.  I’d call it more of a fib.”
    “ If that’s an apology for doubting my word, it leaves something to be desired.”
    “You’re right.  I’m sorry for doubting you.  I had a lot of fun tonight, Travis.  You really are an excellent minuet dance instructor…even if you didn’t wear the tights.”
    His deep, rich laughter poured over her, warming Vina from the inside out.  She liked it when Travis laughed, and she liked it even more when she was the one responsible for it.  She didn’t have to guess why he wore such a solemn expression most of the time.  There was so much going on inside that brilliant head of his, always too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it in.
    “So, Mr. Malone, who’s going to be keeping an eye on business while