Free A Spanish Engagement by Kathryn Ross Page B

her.‘As long as we are civil with each other. And say the right things when needed—like today—I think that will be enough…’
    Max reached out suddenly and put a hand under her chin, tipping her face up so that she was forced to look at him. The gentle contact sent her emotions into complete chaos. ‘I think people will expect a little more than that,’ he said huskily.
    ‘A little more in what way?’ she murmured. She could feel her heart drumming against her chest so powerfully that it made her feel dizzy.
    His eyes moved to the softness of her lips again and suddenly Carrie felt the emotional temperature between them spiral out of control.
    He moved closer and she knew he was going to kiss her. Her instincts were telling her to move back and yet she couldn’t. She was held by a force that was much more powerful than anything her mind was telling her; this was almost primal, it was so overwhelming.
    As he moved closer the scent of his cologne crept into her senses, warm and clean and somehow extremely provocative. His fingertips traced the side of her face, sending shivery little messages of desire shooting through to her very nerve-endings. Then his lips moved to capture hers.
    The touch was electric. At first the kiss was gentle, provocatively teasing. She responded uncertainly, trying with all her strength to fight the dark forces that were urging her to move closer, that were whispering encouraging little words deep inside about how wonderful this felt. Then his lips became more demanding; they plundered hers with a hunger that sent the last semblance of rationality flying from her mind. She wanted this. Wanted it to go on and on. And she responded heatedly, her body rejoicing as she felt his arms closing around her, pullingher even closer. The kiss was mind-blowing and devastating. Exciting beyond belief.
    A sound from the back seat of the car made them pull apart hurriedly. Carrie glanced around. Molly was still asleep; she had just rearranged herself so that her head was resting on the window of the door.
    ‘She’s okay.’ Max was the first to speak.
    ‘Yes…’ Carrie glanced back at him and the memory of that kiss seemed to dance in the air between them like some kind of taunt. She felt mortified. What the hell had just happened?
    He smiled at her gently. ‘Well, looks like we won’t have too much difficulty playing the part of lovers after all,’ he said teasingly.
    Carrie swallowed hard. ‘I’d better go, Max. Molly needs her bed.’ As she got out of the car Max followed her.
    ‘I’ll carry her in for you,’ he offered as she looked across at him questioningly. ‘That way maybe you can get her down without waking her.’
    She hesitated for a second and then nodded. At least if Molly had a sleep now it would give her time to gather herself together and think about the direction that her life was suddenly veering off in.
    Carrie watched as he opened the back door of the car and then reached gently across to unfasten the sleeping child from the safety belt. Molly stirred but she didn’t wake up.
    Opening her handbag, Carrie found her front-door keys and led the way through the door and then up the mosaic-tiled stairway towards her apartment on the first floor.
    She unlocked it and then moved down her hall and into the small bedroom that was Molly’s.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said as she watched Max put her down into the bed.
    ‘That’s all right,’ Max said. ‘She’s a lovely little girl—reminds me of my sister’s child, Belle.’
    ‘I didn’t know you had a sister.’ Carrie turned to adjust the blinds so that the room was in semi-darkness.
    ‘Yes, Victoria—you met her children the other day at my house. Belle and Emilio.’
    ‘I thought they were your estate manager’s children? Oh, I see,’ Carrie said suddenly as comprehension dawned. ‘Manuel is your brother-in-law as well as Estate Manager?’
    ‘Former Estate Manager, as it turns out,’ Max said wryly. ‘But, yes,