Marrying Mari Read Online Free Page A

smaller sip.
    Ethan was charmed. Blushing? Delightful.
    While they waited for Gabriel, he studied Mari. Her skin was a pale olive, and the remnants of bright color hung on her cheeks, highlighting the exquisite curve of the bones under her skin. Tonight she had more makeup on, but still far less than most women in the restaurant. She’d unbelted and unbuttoned the trench, even if she wouldn’t remove it, and he could see the soft gray sweater lying against her chest and the upper curves of her breasts. He was glad for the curtaining effect of the linen over his lap, because looking at her, smelling her light fragrance, seeing her reaction to the wine had immediately made his cock harden to the point of discomfort.
    Part of him was reeling from his immediate reaction to everything about this woman. Without talking to her for more than ten minutes, he was convinced she was the mate he and Gabriel had been waiting for—or at least that he had been waiting for. And since he and Gabriel were determined to find a woman to mate them both, he was eager for his partner and friend to join them, to witness Gabriel’s reaction.
    The other part of him simply wanted to get her in private, naked and flat under him, so he could show her that nothing, not even this marvelous wine, was better than the sex would be between the two of them. Or the three of them.
    The thought crossed his mind that once they were alone, he might lose complete control with Mariella Amorini.
    Impossibly, his cock hardened even more.
    Where the hell was Gabriel?
     
    Mari suddenly shot to her feet. “Look, Mr. Stone, I only came here to return your bonus —” she thrust the money at him, “—and to tell you what I think about getting one thousand dollars from a man I don’t even know.”
    “What’d I miss?” Gabriel’s amused tone came from behind and above her. She turned and faced the wall of the man’s broad chest. She looked up and drew a deep breath. Immediately his scent filled her nose. Spicy, with a hint of green.
    Gabriel had changed from casual clothing into a formal suit, cut perfectly across his massive shoulders. The color was dark, like melted chocolate, while the silken T-shirt under the jacket was only slightly lighter in tone. Something gold glinted under the thin material, matching the gleam of his wavy, slightly messy hair.
    Damn, he was tall too. She was on the short side, but both men made her feel ridiculously tiny. And it was as much their personalities as their actual height in inches.
    “I think she wants to give back her bonus.” Ethan’s voice was dry behind her.
    She whirled to confront him. “Yes, I do. One grand? For delivering one little envelope? I’m not an idiot. Either there was something hinky about that envelope or you’re trying to buy something that isn’t for sale.” She dropped the cash on the table as if it burned her hand.
    “Hinky?” Gabriel chuckled.
    “I find myself desperate to know what ‘hinky’ might include. Please sit, Miss Amorini.” Ethan stared at her, intent.
    Gabriel’s big hands clasped her arms from behind and pushed her, gently but firmly, back into the booth.
    “Wait a minute!”
    Before she knew what was what, she was seated in the center curve of the booth, flanked by both men. Who were now staring at her.
    Gabriel turned and, seeing a waiter, flicked a finger. The man jumped toward the booth.
    “Yes, Mr. Pryor?”
    “Tell Etienne we’re ready for the first course.”
    “Yes, sir.” The waiter bounded away, obviously eager to follow Gabriel’s orders.
    Mariella made a disgusted noise. “Does everyone leap when you speak?”
    Gabriel grinned. “Here, yes. It’s my place.”
    “You run Insatiable?”
    “Yes. I run it. Ethan and I own it. He’s the silent partner.”
    While she digested this, five staff members hustled to the table, bringing china, silver, napkins and a wineglass for Gabriel. One of them carried an opened bottle of wine sweating in a silver cooler.