A Dangerous Taste of Passion Read online

  They were returning home the following day, but Lily wasn’t downhearted. Although they’d had a wonderful four weeks, it would be good to see familiar faces and familiar places again.

  In their suite, Lily went straight into the bedroom and shed her coat and scarf before dropping lazily onto the bed. She kicked off her shoes and spread her arms and legs in total abandon. She felt mildly tipsy from the rich Italian wine she’d been drinking and when Rafe appeared in the doorway she beckoned him to come and join her.

  Rafe dropped his long cashmere coat and leather jacket onto a wooden ottoman at the foot of the bed, and then came to look down at her. He was wearing a cream silk shirt and now he loosened the collar and pulled his tie away from his neck.

  ‘You look—wanton,’ he said, kneeling on the bed beside her and placing his hands on the satin coverlet at either side of her head. ‘Totally wanton.’

  ‘So long as you want me,’ whispered Lily huskily, allowing her fingers to stroke his jawline that was already roughening with his beard. And Rafe caught his breath at the knowing provocation.

  ‘Oh, I want you, querida,’ he muttered, lowering his head to lick the scented hollow of her cleavage. ‘More each time I make love with you.’

  Lily shivered in delicious anticipation. The erotic abrasion of his tongue only accentuated the need that had been building inside her all evening, and she curled a languid arm around his neck.

  ‘Come here,’ she commanded, and Rafe trailed a sensual path of kisses to the curve of her jawline and the parted sweetness of her lips.

  But he didn’t lower his body onto hers. Although she was aching for him to do so, he drew back instead and tipped the straps of her green and gold chiffon dress off her shoulders.

  Immediately, the rounded fullness of her breasts were exposed to his heavy-lidded gaze and he made a hoarse sound of satisfaction.

  ‘Hermosa,’ he said thickly. ‘You are so beautiful.’ He allowed his fingers to trace the dusky circle around her nipple and smiled when she arched up against him. ‘Do not be impatient, niña. I want to taste you first.’

  Her dress and the lacy panties beneath it were soon discarded. By the time Rafe had torn off his shirt and suede trousers, Lily was shifting restlessly against the scarlet coverlet.

  But Rafe was in no hurry to satisfy her urgency. Taking his time bestowing kisses from the soles of her feet, up the inner curve of her thigh to the moist place that pulsed between her legs, he prolonged his own provocation.

  Spreading her legs wider, Rafe explored her with his tongue, and she felt the rushing heat of her orgasm invade his open mouth. Then, when she was weak and panting from her body’s exertions, he moved lazily onward.

  He traced the hollow of her navel and the gentle indentation of her waist before finding the undersides of her breasts. Lily had dabbed perfume there and it mingled with the womanly scent of her arousal, causing Rafe to growl with sensual pleasure.

  Her nipples were next and he suckled at each of them in turn, using his teeth and his tongue to bring her to the edge of another climax.

  This time, she wouldn’t let him make the pace, however. With unconscious sensuality, she wound her legs about him, bringing the throbbing heat of his erection close against the moist curls of her mound.

  ‘Please,’ she begged, reaching down to cup him with her hands, and Rafe sucked in a tortured breath.

  ‘Okay, okay,’ he said hoarsely, pulling back to ease his aching crotch. ‘You win, querida.’ And, with the familiarity of their shared experience, Lily guided him into her hot sheath.

  Their lovemaking was as amazing as always. Rafe thought he would never tire of burying himself in her sweetness, of not knowing where his body ended and hers began.

  He was completely and utterly enchanted by his new wife and he loved her so much he didn’t believe it was possible to love her more.

  * * *

  They arrived back at Orchid Point in the early hours of the morning.

  Despite his generosity towards the Mathewses, Rafe had retained possession of the house they had both come to regard as their home. Orchid Point held a special place in their hearts and Lily wouldn’t have it any other way.

  In spite of the lateness of the hour, both Carla and Steve were there to greet them and Lily thought how wonderful it was to climb into their own bed again.

  The following day they went to visit her father. As Lily had anticipated, the Reverend Fielding had been delighted to learn they were to stay on the island, and he welcomed them back with more enthusiasm than was usual for him.

  While Rafe was sharing a drink with her father, Lily went to find Dee-Dee. She and the West Indian woman had talked little about the accident at the marina. Before they went away, the subject had been too raw, too painful. But now, like Carla and Steve before her, she was eager to see the young woman who’d been like a daughter to her for so many years.

  ‘You look so well, girl,’ she exclaimed after hugging her warmly. ‘But that’s how it happens sometimes.’

  ‘How what happens?’ Lily was curious. ‘Being married agrees with me. If that’s what you mean.’

  ‘And the rest,’ retorted Dee-Dee, her expression humorous. ‘When were you planning on telling your Daddy?’

  ‘Telling Daddy what? Rafe’s with him now, giving him the low-down of where we’ve been and what we’ve seen while we were away.’ She grinned. ‘It’s amazing how quickly Daddy has taken to Rafe as his son-in-law.’

  Dee-Dee stared at her. ‘Are you telling me you don’t know what I’m talking about, girl? After the way you got a message to me about that mad woman at the marina, I felt sure you’d know exactly what I mean.’

  ‘No.’ Lily was diverted. Then, tentatively, ‘You mean I did communicate my fears to you?’

  ‘How else would I have known what was going on?’ Dee-Dee was dismissive. ‘I got one of my famous feelings, didn’t I? Anyway, your Mr Oliveira didn’t need a second warning.’

  ‘Thank goodness!’ Lily’s words were heartfelt. ‘So are you saying that you think I should tell Daddy what happened?’

  ‘No!’ Dee-Dee gasped. ‘Did I say you should tell the Reverend? I did not.’

  ‘Then what?’

  Dee-Dee shook her head now. Then she came towards the girl and ran her hand over Lily’s stomach. ‘I guess it hasn’t affected you yet.’

  Lily stared at her for a long moment before comprehension dawned. When Dee-Dee removed her hand, Lily put her own hand in its place.

  Where once her stomach had been only slightly rounded, now a distinct firmness swelled beneath her cotton shorts.

  ‘I’m pregnant?’ she ventured with a certain air of wonder. And then caught her breath on the words as Rafe came into the kitchen to join them.

  ‘Did I miss something?’ he asked, looking from Dee-Dee’s smug countenance to his wife’s suddenly flushed face, and Lily gave an incredulous shake of her head.

  ‘Not a thing,’ she said firmly, slipping her arm through his. ‘Did you have a nice chat with Daddy?’

  ‘Sí.’ But Rafe still looked suspicious. ‘He sent me to ask if we can have some coffee.’ His eyes darkened as he took in her excited face. ‘What’s going on? Is something wrong?’

  ‘Unless the fact that you’re going to be a daddy yourself shortly doesn’t appeal,’ Lily told him lightly, and waited for his response.

  But the incredulous delight on Rafe’s face said it all.

  * * * * *

  EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT

  Even unsentimental Alessandro Di Sione can’t deny his grandfather’s dream of retrieving a scandalous painting. Yet its return depends on outspoken Princess Gabriella. Travelling together to locate the painting, Gabby is drawn to this guilt-ridden man. Could their passion be his salvation?

  Read on for a sneak preview of

  THE LAST DI SIONE CLAIMS HIS PRIZE

  the final part in the unmissable new eight book Presents series

  THE BILLIONAIRE’S LEGACY

 
Alessandro was so different than she was. Gabby had never truly fully appreciated just how different men and women were. In a million ways, big and small.

  Yes, there was the obvious, but it was more than that. And it was those differences that suddenly caused her to glory in who she was, what she was. To feel, if only for a moment, that she completely understood herself both body and soul, and that they were united in one desire.

  “Kiss me, Princess,” he said, his voice low, strained.

  He was affected.

  So she had won.

  She had been the one to make him burn.

  But she’d made a mistake if she’d thought this game had one winner and one loser. She was right down there with him. And she didn’t care about winning anymore.

  She couldn’t deny him, not now. Not when he was looking at her like she was a woman and not a girl, or an owl. Not when he was looking at her like she was the sun, moon and all the stars combined. Bright, brilliant and something that held the power to hold him transfixed.

  Something more than what she was. Because Gabriella D’Oro had never transfixed anyone. Not her parents. Not a man.

  But he was looking at her like she mattered. She didn’t feel like shrinking into a wall, or melting into the scenery. She wanted him to keep looking.

  She didn’t want to hide from this. She wanted all of it.

  Slowly, so slowly, so that she could savor the feel of him, relish the sensations of his body beneath her touch, she slid her hand up his throat, feeling the heat of his skin, the faint scratch of whiskers.

  Then she moved to cup his jaw, his cheek.

  “I’ve never touched a man like this before,” she confessed.

  And she wasn’t even embarrassed by the confession, because he was still looking at her like he wanted her.

  He moved closer, covering her hand with his. She could feel his heart pounding heavily, could sense the tension running through his frame. “I’ve touched a great many women,” he said, his tone grave. “But at the moment it doesn’t seem to matter.”

  That was when she kissed him.

  Don’t miss

  THE LAST DI SIONE CLAIMS HIS PRIZE

  By Maisey Yates

  Available February 2017

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  Copyright ©2016 Mills & Boon SA

  ISBN: 978-1-474-05196-5

  A DANGEROUS TASTE OF PASSION

  © 2016 Anne Mather

  Published in Great Britain 2016

  by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

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