Black Diamonds Read Online Free Page A

disappeared since he had driven away, the red dust swirling beneath the tyres of his sleek black car. Instead, they’d intensified. She found herself going over the things she could have said to him, would have said to him, wouldn’t have said, shouldn’t have said …
    Keep your cool this time. Don’t let him rile you .
    The sound of car doors slamming outside came as she put the last jar back in its place on the bar. Hastily she tucked the tea towel out of sight underneath.
    As the door opened she made her voice jovial. “Welcome to Paradise.”
    “Well, thank you.” A petite blonde woman, with a pixie haircut and friendly brown eyes, came in and held out her hand, her wrist heavy with gold tennis bracelets. “You must be Jacaranda Riley. We’ve heard all about you from Xavier. We’re about to go home, but we wish we could stay longer. We sure do love what we’ve seen of this part of Australia. Isn’t it wonderful?” She turned to the man who had come in beside her for confirmation.
    “Wonderful,” he agreed, as he too leant over the tasting bar and shook Jackie’s hand. Tall, older than his wife, with brown hair receding slightly at the front, his face was frank and friendly.
    Jackie’s heart thudded. Behind them, Xavier Antoine had entered the cafe, casually pushing his sunglasses back on his head in a movement that flexed his muscles, outlined by his immaculate white t-shirt. She knew the strength of those arms; the way he’d held her. His expression appeared inscrutable as he gave her a nod of greeting.
    “We’ve been visiting with Xavier. He’s bought a gorgeous property,” the woman chatted on, giving Xavier a quick smile over her shoulder.
    He stepped forward. “Let me introduce you to Bob and Eve Armitage, Jacaranda. They own some leading restaurants in New York,” he explained smoothly.
    New York? Jackie frowned slightly. Her truffle farm didn’t distribute internationally. What was Xavier Antoine playing at? Why had he brought them to Paradise?
    “That’s right,” Bob Armitage nodded. “Australian truffles are coming up in the world. We thought we’d come say hello to Xavier and have a look for ourselves, or rather, a taste for ourselves.” He gave a good-natured guffaw.
    Jackie pulled herself together. They seemed to be nice people; she’d liked Eve instantly. It wasn’t their fault they were associated with Xavier Antoine. “I’d be pleased to give you a tasting of some of our products, though of course, because it’s summer I don’t have any fresh truffles at the moment.”
    “I’m still getting a handle on the Australian seasons being the opposite of ours,” Eve confessed with a grin. “It’s freezing in New York right now.” She glanced through the window at the bright sunshine. “Is there any chance of having a look around? We’d love a tour. I generally leave truffle business entirely to Bob. I see the end product on the plate, but I don’t know all I should about this side of production, I’m sorry to say. I’d like to learn more, and it’s so pretty here.”
    “Very pretty,” Xavier put in.
    Looking up, she found him staring straight at her. Her heart gave another disconcerting thump.
    “I might tag along myself,” he added.
    Biting her lip, she turned away and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from behind the bar. Xavier Antoine’s stare scorched like sunburn on her back.
    “I’d love to give you a tour,” she told the Armitages brightly as she came around the bar. “Let’s go right outside and I’ll take you up and show you our trees, and then we can go over to where we keep our truffle dogs. They’re Labradors and beagles, mainly.”
    Xavier held the front door open. “Allow me.”
    Jackie raised her chin as she reached the door after Eve and Bob had exited. “After you.”
    His dark eyes glinted. “ Non . After you, Miss Riley.”
    She hesitated. She had to get over her physical reaction to this man. His sheer proximity made her body