Free Untouched Until Marriage by Chantelle Shaw Page B

Raul’s gut as he stared at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. Her make-up was discreet—just a hint of smoky grey eyeshadow which brought out the colour of her stunning blue-green eyes, a slick of mascara to define her long lashes, and a rose-pink gloss on her lips. The dress was a masterpiece of understated elegance that he knew would have come with an exorbitant price tag, but it was worth everypenny, he decided, feeling himself harden as he noted how the superb cut of the bodice displayed her breasts like plump, velvety peaches.
    Libby was naturally beautiful, but tonight she looked exquisite—and so incredibly sexy that his mouth ran dry as he strode over to the bar. She had dominated his thoughts and caused his body to be in a permanent state of arousal since he had first set eyes on her. Now he was not prepared to fight his urgent desire for her any longer.

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€˜C AN I get you a drink, Signorina ?’
    The barman gave Libby a polite smile, but it did not escape her notice that his eyes lingered boldly on the low-cut neckline of her dress. She was tempted to order an orange juice. At least holding the glass would give her something to do with her hands, and perhaps stop her feeling so horribly self-conscious while she waited for Raul. But as she was about to speak a familiar voice sounded from behind her.
    â€˜The lady will have champagne.’
    It was a voice that never failed to send a quiver of reaction down her spine, as rich and sensuous as molten chocolate, and Libby’s heart jolted painfully beneath her ribs as she turned her head and met Raul’s dark gaze. His eyes gleamed like polished jet, and yet they seemed different, she noticed dazedly, no longer as cold as pools of black ice, but warm, and glinting with a sensual promise that trapped her breath in her throat.
    â€˜Raul,’ she greeted him uncertainly, her voice emerging in a whispery breath, while a curious achy sensation unfurled in the pit of her stomach. No man hadever looked at her the way Raul was doing, and she had never expected him , of all men, to stare at her with such scorching desire blazing in his eyes.
    â€˜Sei bellissima!’ he murmured in a velvet soft tone that brought her skin out in goosebumps. ‘You look amazing in that dress, cara .’
    She was drowning in his liquid gaze and had to moisten her lips with her tongue before she could speak. ‘This old thing?’ She resorted to flippancy in a frantic attempt to hide the effect he had on her. ‘It’s just something I slipped on to scrub the floor.’
    Amusement glinted in his eyes, but to her amazement his smile was rueful. ‘I can’t believe I said that. You would look beautiful wearing sackcloth,’ he astounded her by saying. ‘But in that dress…’ He moved his eyes slowly over her, leaving a trail of heat in his wake. ‘You blow me away, bella .’
    Not knowing quite what to make of this new Raul, who was no longer looking at her as if she were the most repugnant creature on the planet, Libby took a sip of champagne. It was deliciously cool and crisp, and she giggled as the bubbles exploded on her tongue. ‘I’ve never tried champagne before,’ she confessed, her pleasure fading when he looked amused. She bit her lip. ‘But you already know that I’m not sophisticated, like the other women here tonight,’ she said in a low tone.
    Raul’s smile faded and he stared at her intently. ‘You are the most vibrant person I have ever met,’ he admitted truthfully. ‘You make me feel more alive than I have ever felt, and I regret that you find me stuffy.’
    â€˜I don’t,’ she denied swiftly, lifting her head so that their eyes locked. The electricity in the air around them was almost tangible and she knew that he felt itas strongly as she. She did not know what had happened during the two hours while he had attended a meeting