Free Kidnapping the Brazilian Tycoon by Carmen Falcone

dog, who chewed it with gusto.
    “You’ve made a new friend.”
    She ruffled the dog’s shaggy, uneven coat.
    “Careful, you don’t know where he’s been.” His warning made her turn to him.
    With a shrug, she offered him the straightforward smile of someone who had nothing to hide. That smile provoked a thrill of excitement to ripple within him. “It doesn’t matter where it’s been.”
    He watched a homeless kid juggling balls as pedestrians tossed coins in the hat on the ground. “That’s what you think.”
    “What do you mean?”
    The dog now licked her hand, his tail wagging. “If you take it home, and you get a disease from it or it bites you…you’d think differently.” Nothing could change the fact that the dog had been homeless and tossed aside.
    “Taking that dog home wouldn’t be fair when I can’t take care of it.” A pang of sadness welled in her voice.
    His fingers tingled to caress her delicate skin. “Because you don’t want to or because it’s a stray?” Bruno stared at the dog and wondered how an animal that wandered the unpredictable streets of Rio could be so brave, so carefree, and accept food—and affection—from a stranger.
    “Because my life is complicated. I don’t mind that he’s a mutt.”
    Bruno jammed his hand in his pocket. “Well, isn’t that a shame.”

Chapter Five
    “Has it ever occurred to you that I don’t trust you?” Addie chewed on her lower lip. Why would the question still ring in her ear even after an entire day? With a sigh, she caressed the same ivory dress she’d tried on in New York City. She could almost feel Bruno’s capable hands against her back, and the same emotions that had overwhelmed her in that tiny dressing room returned. Her breasts tightened, and an uncontrollable heat spread through her. Gaining his trust didn’t matter, did it? As long as he kept his word… Sure. Keep telling yourself that.
    She finally gathered enough courage to stare at her reflection in the mirror. The dress gave her lithe body a sultry hourglass shape. Her usually tight curls now fell in luscious, large waves across her back. With Camila’s help, light but enhancing makeup made her green eyes pop and her lips glossy. After being diligent and helpful to close all the tiny buttons, Camila had gone to fix herself.
    Addie opted for not announcing her impending marriage to her parents. After all, how could she? They had been married for thirty years. She couldn’t just email them, “ Hey, Mom, Pop, I’m marrying someone to secure a safe move for the Kwanis. It won’t last, so don’t tell your friends. Later, Addie .”
    Telling Bruno’s family her parents couldn’t make it to Rio because they were doing missionary work in Africa hadn’t been her finest moment. At least she’d protect both parties from the truth, right?
    The truth was, she would have married Michael for love. The kind of sweet, genuine love that promised lifelong security. Bruno, on the other hand…
    She looked at her bed and the small bag that rested on it.
    Tonight, she would sleep in his room.
    She hadn’t even visited his room, though she hoped it had a loveseat or a big sofa. Or something. The exchange at the beach the day before kept popping in her mind. What sort of awful thing had he done prior to leaving Brazil? If he let everyone down—especially his father—did that mean he’d changed or gotten better at hiding his flaws?
    Her mother’s gambling addiction had taught her people didn’t always evolve on their own. Depending on their issues, they needed a network of friends and family, counseling, and/or rehab. Without this kind of support, Addie doubted Bruno had experienced a real transformation.
    Bottom line, Bruno wasn’t trustworthy. The years with her mother had taught her that deceit was a weapon. And she wouldn’t let herself get shot.
    A bark made her turn around to find Camila, who had just slipped inside without her noticing. A dog was sitting at Camila’s