Island Tango (Silver Goddess Series, Book One) Read Online Free Page A

chance to look at the menu.
    “I promise you will love everything.” He winked at her.
    She shut her menu and gave him a tight smile.  This sort of domineering treatment wa s not what she was used to.
    “Do you travel much?” She asked, trying to get him to share any bit of information about his life.
    “All the time.” He replied tersely.  “You?”
    Ignoring his curt reply, Herculea said, “Yes.  Actually, next week I’m going to Brazil for work.”
    “What will you do in Brazil?” Pedro asked with mild interest.
    “A colleague and I are going to do research for an article on c apoeira.”
    “How boring.   I know something more exciting you could do in Brazil.” His eyes blazed mischievously.
    “Let me guess.  Dance the samba?” Herculea retorted sarcastically.
    “No.” Pedro replied without humor.  “No.  You said you are a cultural anthropologist, right?  And you like to do research.  Well, I think you should research the Silver Goddess.”
    “I’m sorry.  The what?” Herculea asked.
    “The Silver Goddess is immortal and lives on the Island of Vinova.  No mortal person has ever gone to her island.  She is a very private person.”
    As Pedro spoke, Herculea wondered if he had already had a glass of wine earlier in the evening.  He was spewing madness, and she wasn’t amused.
    “I don’t know why you’re telling me such a crazy story, but---“
    Pedro cut her off.  “It’s not a story.  Not a legend.  It’s the truth.  The Silver Goddess drank an elixir that gave her eternal life.  A special blend of herbs and spices---and red wine.  It’s all written in a book called The Immortality Abyss .  You could be the first to research and write about her.”
    The last part of Pedro’s monologue intrigued Herculea.  For her entire career, she had wanted to publish her own book.  What if Pedro were telling the truth?  It couldn’t hurt to at least investigate the possible existence of the Silver Goddess.  In fact, it could be the career opportunity every young researcher hopes for.
    After dinner, Pedro led Herculea by the hand into the parking lot.  Together, they strolled over a foot bridge leading to a romantic gazebo.  He sat down on the bench and brazenly pulled her onto his lap.
    “The tango continues.” He murmured huskily.
    Shoving his hands into her thick tresses, he opened his mouth and seized hers, massaging her neck gently while ardently kissing her lips.  Herculea curled closer to him on his lap, rocking her head back and allowing him deeper access to her mouth.  The combination of too much wine, Pedro’s overwhelming masculinity, and a seductive evening breeze made Herculea dizzy.  She felt aflame with desire to shred this man’s clothes to pieces and let him have her right here in the gazebo.  Instead, she let him continue his passionate assault on her mouth, feeding off her lips as though she were a feast after stark famine.
    Feeling her self-control rapidly waning, Herculea breathlessly pulled away.  “Mmm.  Um, stop.  That’s enough for now.” She breathed shakily.
    He branded her with his gaze and tried to reignite the kiss, but she pulled back again.
    “No.  Really.  I think maybe we should go.” Herculea insisted, still feeling her head whirl from the intense kiss.
    “ You know that’s not what you want.  But I will drive you home .” Pedro said with heavy disappointment.
    “Yes, please drive me home. It’s been an unforgettable evening.”
    He smiled slightly at her words, guiding her to the car and keeping one arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
    Alone in bed that night, Herculea struggled to fall asleep.  Feeling a draft from the window, she flipped over onto her belly and pulled the covers over her head.  As a haunting image of his face floated through her mind, s he h ad the unnerving sensation that the evening with Pedro would prove to be unforgettable for a very long time .

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