Free VINA IN VENICE (THE 5 SISTERS) by Kimberley Reeves Page A

parents hatched this idea of sending you and your sisters out on an adventure.  They allowed a short period of time for grieving and then arranged these trips to amazing places to keep your minds occupied elsewhere.”
    “Yes, but…why separate us?  And why send us in search for love when that i s the farthest thing from any of our minds?  I mean, if two people are destined to be together, wouldn’t they find each other eventually anyway?”
    “Maybe it’s not the search they felt was important.  Maybe what they wanted was for you to simply open your heart to the possibility of falling in love. ”
    Vina tilted her head back, the ache in her heart so sharp she could barely breathe.  “And if it doesn’t happen?  Do you think they would be disappointed in me?”
    “ Never ,” Travis said with conviction.  “They were so proud of you, of all their girls, and with good reason. ”
    “You really think so?”
    “I know so.”
    “Thank you,” she said softly.   “Not just for making me feel better, but for agreeing to come with me.  You’re a good friend, Travis…the best.”
    Something in his eyes shifted, as if what she’d said disturbed him .  B ut then he smiled , and Vina thought she must have read too much into it.
    “We’re going to have a great time , and regardless of the outcome, I know your parents would have been proud of you for going.   And now, Miss Moore, I believe you owe me a leisurely stroll in the moonlight.”
    Vina was glad when Travis started talking about their trip to Venice and the exciting things there was to see and do.  He told her about the Grand Canal, which was the main thoroughfare in Venice, and the fabulous Renaissance palaces along the route.  He promised to take her to St. Mark’s Square and the Palazzo Ducale where masterpieces from great Italian artists were housed.
    “We’ll go to Ca’Macana to buy our masks for the masquerade ball .   You’ll love the costumes , Vina ; they’re spectacular.”  Travis glanced down at her, his deep voice moving over her like a soft caress.  “ I can only imagine how b reathtaking you’re going to be in a ball gown .  You’ll be the most beautiful woman there , and every eligible bachelor in the room will be anxious to dance with you . ” 
    Vina suppressed a gasp of surprise .  T he heated l ook in his eyes caused a strange melty sensation in the pit of her stomach , and for some reason, her mouth had gone incredibly dry.  She ran her tongue between her lips to moisten them, that melty feeling becoming decidedly more gooey w hen he slipped his arm around her waist. 
    What is wrong with me ?   There was nothing unusual about Travis walking with his arm around her ; he’d done it countless times.   It was all this talk about Venice and fancy balls and finding romance .  It was going to her head, making her think and feel things that were inappropriate, given that their relationship was one hundred percent platonic and always had been.  She was emotionally vulnerable, Vina told herself, and that made her more susceptible to wayward thoughts.
    Okay, so Travis was insanely handsome, and maybe he had looked at her as if she was a beautiful, desirable woman.  It didn’t mean anything.  She had seen him look at other women in exactly the same manner, and she’d also seen the effect his seductive gaze had on them as well.  Like her, they seemed to melt under his scrutiny, undoubtedly wondering if it was possible to spontaneously combust from the searing heat of it.
    Steering her thoughts back to their conversation, Vina gave a more likely version of what would take place at the ball.  “I’m flattered you think so, but I’ll be lucky to squeeze one dance in before I get trampled by the hordes of beautiful women trying to compete for your attention.”
    “ So t rue,” Travis agreed , all arrogance and male swagger. “ I t might be wise if you reserved the first dance for me .  That way, you’re