Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
There was no denying the gentle way he held her. She hadn’t expected him to be so tender or caring, and that had disarmed her as nothing else possibly could have. His thumb stroked her cheek. That was all. Brushed with exquisite gentleness. She had to swallow back the tears clogging her throat.
She hadn’t thought she had anything to bring to Geno Ferraro, but now she knew she did. There were few riders in the world like her. He had no idea who or what his partner was. He thought to keep the world around him safe. Everyone in it. He never thought about himself. He was willing to lay down his life for those he loved. She didn’t look the part and that was more than half her advantage. She would protect Geno with the same fierceness he gave everyone else. She would give him her loyalty because he deserved it. She knew she could make him happy.
He was the one who broke the kiss first, drawing in a ragged breath as he lifted his head and stared down at her with such complete focus that she found herself shivering.
“I think we’re very late for our engagement party, Geno,” she whispered.
“We could turn around and go home.” He sounded hopeful.
She laughed. “You’re terrible. I’m the one who should be saying that.”
He picked up his phone, looked at his messages and then showed them to her. “We’ve been officially summoned by Stefano.”
“You don’t seem concerned.”
“He hasn’t threatened to escort us inside yet. When that happens, we might worry.”
She was reading the string of messages Stefano had sent. “Wait. What does he mean you’ve compromised my reputation and we’d better marry fast?”
He flashed her a very unrepentant grin. “What do you think those reporters are going to be saying playboy Ferraro has been doing in this town car all this time right in front of the restaurant, tinted windows and all? Ferraro men do have a certain reputation. There will be wild speculation and others telling the story as gospel.”
“That’s what they all think we were in here doing?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am, that’s exactly what they think.”
“I have to go out there and face them knowing that?”
He grinned at her, leaned forward and brushed another kiss over her burning lips. “You do look as if you’ve been thoroughly kissed. Maybe more. I did do a good job of it.”
Amaranthe couldn’t help but laugh, even though she should have been outraged. He looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. She leaned back and fixed his tie and then smoothed his jacket before she slid off him to pull down the mirror and examine her face. She did appear as if she’d been thoroughly kissed—and then some.
“You look beautiful.”
She reapplied lipstick carefully. “Thank you. I don’t think there’s much I can do for my hair. It’s looking like I took a walk on the wild side.” Her eyes met his in the mirror, and she burst into laughter again. “Is that what you were going for?”
“I was going for any way I could keep you. I made up my mind I wasn’t losing you. We had a beautiful day, but you began retreating and I couldn’t reach you.”
“You retreated,” she accused. “You became Geno Ferraro, the man behind the mask.”
His palm cupped her cheek, his thumb sliding into her hair. “I have to be that man when I go out into the public. Just like you’re my classical ballerina.”
Her eyes widened as knowledge burst through her. That was his role. He had taken it on at thirteen. He had to make others believe he was tough enough, even the Archambaults. He’d faked it until he was that man. Now, that was the demeanor he presented to the world. He slipped easily into the role, just as she did when she went hunting.
The dancer was her role. She hunted right out in the open. She was so good in her role she thought in terms of being a dancer, and she never once wavered, just as Geno hadn’t. They were experts at what they did. It made sense for him to wear that mask and keep it on in public. People viewed him with trepidation. They respected him. They listened to him, and when he gave an order, they obeyed without question. He hadn’t retreated from her. He had assumed his mantle of authority, the role he’d played for years.
“That makes so much sense, Geno. I misunderstood. I was so nervous, already feeling as if I didn’t belong, and I didn’t want to let you down.”
“You could never let me down, Amara.”
She turned toward him, letting him see her eyes, needing him to know she meant what she said. “I realize that now. You’ve more than reassured me, Geno.”
“If at any time when we’re in a public setting you feel the need for assurance, reach for me. We can communicate telepathically. Or just come straight to me, Danzatrice Ombra. You’re more important than anyone. I’ll never mind you interrupting me. Sometimes the men can be patronizing and the women catty in the circles I travel.”