The Spanish Outlaw Read Online Free

noticed you. How could I not when you made the balcony booth light up like heaven?”
    She chuckled. “I believe you have memorized these words and used them numerous times on other women you pursued.”
    “You insult me.” Kissing her palm, he let his mouth linger perhaps a moment longer than he should have.
    “And you insult me if you think I am going to fall into your arms and be swept off my feet.” She snatched her hand away. “I am not some simpering female waiting to swoon at any moment.”
    He studied her with greater interest. No other woman had ever presented such a challenge. Vivian was more intelligent than most women he’d tried to charm, and his pride stung over her refusal. He wasn’t certain he appreciated that.
    “You are an amazing woman, Vivian, and you have captured my interest.” Before pulling back, he sighed heavily. “But tell me what I can do. Since you have no desire to be seduced tonight, there will be no flowery words or tender caresses, but I do want you to stay a little while longer.”
    With a smile, he realized he wanted this. Had he ever sat and talked to a woman? What could he say to a female who actually used her mind? “Promise you will stay?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “Of course. I will not keep you if you wish to leave.”
    She hesitated as she glanced inside the opened doors toward Margaret. Vivian’s expression held a flicker of distrust for a brief moment, but when she met his eyes and nodded, the lines in her forehead softened.
    “I would really like to get to know the real Anton—not the performer, singer, or the seducer, but the man inside this body.” She tapped lightly on his chest.
    “As you wish. I will watch my suggestive words, and for the remainder of the evening, I will speak only about the most boring subject ever...my life.”
    Her smile brightened her face and put a twinkle in her blue-gray eyes. If he didn’t watch it, he could get trapped in just her gaze.
    “Thank you,” she replied. “You have made my night.”
    Anton knew it would be harder to break this incredible woman, but soon she would make his night very memorable.

Chapter Two
     
    Vivian took a deep breath to calm the hammering of her heart. She had the upper hand. At least for now. But it worried her, because Anton was good. Almost too good. The sensations her body experienced from his touch were almost impossible to control. This man knew how to get his way.
    Her wild cousin, Anna, had educated Vivian with stories of her escapades with men. Anna showed her how to flirt, and explained how a woman feels when a man touches them. Vivian didn’t really want to know—didn’t want to be reminded of her mother’s past mistakes—but Vivian listened anyway since it would help her charade with Anton. How else could she pretend to be a woman of experience any other way?
    With a practiced smile, she followed him through the wide double doors into the parlor, then to the fireplace. Margaret still slumped on the couch and looked as though she purposely tried to catch flies with her opened mouth. Vivian frowned. What would possess Anton’s manservant to drug her?
    Shrugging away the concern, she reminded herself to be watchful. If she wanted to prove to her employer she could make a great agent, she dared not act like a worrisome female.
    Anton’s sensuous smile took her breath away. Resistance to his charm was almost futile. Already, a few times, she’d wanted to lose herself in his arms and allow his mouth possession of hers, but she was barely able to control her emotions as it was. Kissing him would only complicate matters. It was essential to stay focused on her objective. She couldn’t let passion rule her feelings.
    Not like it had her mother.
    Vivian vowed she would never become the woman her mother had. Temptation and yearning for a man’s touch would not weaken Vivian.
    She said a silent prayer, thankful Anton had decided to play things her way for now. Perhaps she’d get some