awareness that had begun in her teenage years.
She’d experimented with dates. Kisses, the clumsy groping that had inevitably led
to her showing the guy the door. There was only one who ever came close to coaxing her
to give him everything. In the end, it had been him who’d called a stop to their
lovemaking. At the time, she’d been embarrassed and certain that she’d made some
mistake. He’d kissed her gently, told her that he was greatly honored by the fact that he
would be her first, but that perhaps she should save her gift for a man who held a special
place in her heart.
Then, she’d seen it as a cop-out, a man running hard and fast from a woman who
obviously equated sex with commitment or at least a deeper relationship. Now, she was
just grateful that she hadn’t blithely given away her innocence. Travis was right. Her
virginity was special, and she’d only give it to a special man.
She blinked again when she realized Theron was talking to her.
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MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“I think you are wise to place emphasis on…these qualities,” he said
uncomfortably. “You wouldn’t want a man who’d mistreat you in any way, and of course
you’ll want someone who shares your vision of marriage and a family.”
“But you don’t think I should want a good lover?” she asked with one raised
eyebrow.
His eyes gleamed in the flickering lamp situated in the middle of the table. Her
breath caught and hung in her chest, painful as her throat tightened. She swallowed at the
raw power radiating from him in a low, sensual hum.
“It would indeed be a shame if a man had no idea what to do with a woman such
as yourself, Bella.”
He looked up in relief when the waiter came bearing the tray with their food.
Isabella, on the other hand, cursed the timing.
Theron surprised her, however, when after the waiter retreated, he caught her eye
and murmured in his sexy, accented voice, “Your mother died early in your childhood,
did she not? Has there been no one else to speak to you about…men?”
She gaped at him in astonishment. Did he honestly think she’d reached the ripe
old age of twenty-two without ever hearing the birds and the bees talk? She wasn’t sure
who was more horrified, her or Theron. He looked uncomfortable, and hell, so was she.
Picking up her fork, she cut into her fish and speared a perfectly cooked piece. It
hit her tongue, and she nearly sighed in appreciation. It was good, and she was starving.
Theron was clearly waiting on her to answer his question. His really ridiculous
question aimed more at a fourteen-year-old, pimply faced girl than a twenty-two-year-old
woman.
“If I say no, are you volunteering to head my education?” she asked with a flash
of a grin.
He shot an exasperated grimace in her direction. “I’ll take that as a yes that
someone has spoken to you of such matters.”
“Next you’ll be offering to buy my feminine products,” she muttered.
He choked on the sip of wine he’d just taken and hurriedly set the glass back
down on the table. “You imp. It’s not polite to make someone laugh as they’re taking a
drink.”
“I’ll remind you that you started this conversation,” she said dryly.
She watched him take a bite and then wipe his mouth with his napkin. He had
really gorgeous lips. Perfect for kissing.
“So I did,” he said with a shrug. “I merely wondered if you’d spoken to another
woman about men and husbands and of course which men make the best husbands.”
“And lovers,” she added.
“Yes, of course,” he said in resignation.
She sat back in her seat and stared at him in challenge. “You don’t want the
woman you marry to be a good lover?”
He gave her what she could only classify as a look of horror. “No, I damn well do
not expect my wife to be a good lover. It’s my duty to…” He broke off in a strangled
voice. “We’re not discussing my future wife,” he said gruffly.
But her curiosity had been well and truly piqued. She sat forward, and placed her
chin in one palm, her food forgotten. “It’s your duty to what?”
“This is not a conversation that is appropriate for us to have,” he said stiffly.
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
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MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS