From Enemy's Daughter to Expectant Bride Read Online Free

scrupulous about keeping any photos of himself out of the media. But if anyone knew what he looked like, they were down there at the ball. He didn’t want to risk anyone recognizing him, not now that he’d decided against making an appearance. This evening had suddenly become all about establishing contact with this magical being.
    He turned to Richard. “Cobra, bring her to me.”
    His former handler blinked. “What’s wrong with you, Numbers? You’ve never reacted to a woman like this before.”
    “She’s not just ‘a woman.’”
    Richard snorted. “Oh, yes, that’s right. She just slithered out of a fairy tale.”
    Rafael gritted his teeth, impatience shooting through him. “Just go down and get her up here.”
    “You want me—the man famed for putting people at
such
ease—to approach a woman I don’t know and command her to come with me...to meet another man she doesn’t know? A man who currently looks deranged? You expect this fairy being to be a total moron, too?”
    Richard’s derision tripped some still functioning logic circuits. That scenario did seem implausible.
    But he
had
to get that woman alone.
    Suddenly, another idea came to him. “I’ll go down with you and stand outside the ballroom. You just get her to me. I’ll take it from there.”
    “I’m your protector, not your pimp, Numbers.”
    “Oh, shut up. And move it.”
    With one last glance as if to a madman, Richard turned and headed downstairs. Rafael dogged his steps, scenarios crowding in his overheated imagination.
    What if this excitement fizzled out once he saw her up close? Worse, what if it didn’t...but she didn’t reciprocate it? Or what if she
was
interested, but like all other women, her attraction was based purely on his looks, wealth and power? Worst of all, what if she was already taken?
    No. This last possibility he categorically rejected.
    She wasn’t taken. He just knew it.
    At the edge of the ballroom, Richard looked back as if hoping he’d come to his senses. Rafael only shoved him forward.
    Grunting a curse, Richard walked away, cutting through the crowd. At six foot six, he towered a head above everyone, making it easy for Rafael to monitor his progress.
    Then he saw her. Pressing to the periphery, as if taking refuge from the crowd, wishing she were anywhere but there.
    Everything inside him tightened, anticipating the moment Richard pointed her in his direction. Or something. He had no idea what his friend would do or say to get her to cross the ballroom to meet him.
    Richard was feet away from her when she suddenly turned her elegant head. And looked straight into
his
eyes.
    A bolt hit him through the heart. A growl escaped his lips as the current forked within him. Then again as her eyes widened and her tense features went slack.
    He wasn’t imagining this. She’d felt his focus, and it had made her home in on him, even across the distance and with him in shadows. He’d had the same effect on her.
    And without volition, holding her mesmerized gaze, he raised his hand and...beckoned.
    Her stare faltered, her throat worked. Peach stained her chiseled cheekbones and her gaze darted around, as if unable to believe she was his target.
    Look back. Look back at me.
    As if against her will, her eyes dragged back to his.
    Satisfaction surged through him. She’d felt his need and had been unable to resist it. Testing his theory, he beckoned again, taking a step backward deeper into the shadows.
    She stepped forward, looking surprised, as if she hadn’t intended to move. He took another step back. She once again moved in his direction, the confusion on her exquisite face deepening. This live wire of attraction that had sprung to life between them
was
reeling her in to him. He hadn’t needed Richard’s help after all.
    The steely Englishman glared down at her as she bypassed him in a daze. Realizing his mediation was no longer needed, he shook his head in exasperation and strode away. Richard fell off