Free Seducing Phoebe (Crimson Romance) by Nicole Flockton Page B

would not walk away” She wanted to stamp her foot, surprised at how hurt she really felt. “Was that all lip service, Marco? Was it all just a lie?”
    If he was surprised by her outburst he didn’t show it. She threw the last bit at him, as she knew he didn’t like liars and probably wouldn’t like to be called out as one.
    “No, it wasn’t a lie. I meant every word of it. But the fact remains you felt you needed to end our engagement.”
    “So what happens now? Are you going to leave?” She huddled further in her jacket, putting her hands in her pockets so as not to reach out and beg him not to leave. Which was such an irrational thought, when all she’d wanted from the moment he turned up was for him to leave.
    “No, I’m not going anywhere.” He reached out and pulled her hands from her pockets and tugged her closer. “But I do have an idea.”
    She was almost too afraid to ask what his idea was, but if it involved staying in his embrace for a little longer, she’d take it. “Do I want to know what this idea is?”
    “I think we should start over.”
    “Start over?” Phoebe knew she was sounding like a parrot, repeating everything he was saying. “What exactly does that entail?”
    “That we start our relationship over. We can look on tonight as a first date.”
    “How can it be a first date when just last week we were engaged? You’re not making any sense.”
    He started walking again, and as he still had hold of her hand, she had no choice but to follow. He was leading her back to the house. They hadn’t gone very far with their walk. It almost represented their relationship — they only went a short distance before stopping. And now Marco wanted to start over. How was that going to help anything?
    “You said you felt you got caught up in everything that was happening around you. That you didn’t feel in control, and that you didn’t know me. What I’m suggesting is that we start again and get to know each other. I know what I want, and I want you.”
    She couldn’t fault his logic. It made some sort of sense to her, but the reason she’d come to this beach house was to think for herself. To get her mind sorted about what she wanted. To sort out what she really felt for Marco. How was she supposed to do that if he was constantly in her presence? She was afraid that after a couple of “dates” she’d be all ready to ring back the wedding planner and tell her to rebook all that she’d cancelled.
    The last thing she wanted was any regrets, and if she didn’t stand her ground and didn’t do what was right for her, she’d end up lost.
    “I’m not sure if it’s the right thing for me though.” She spoke softly, hoping that it would take some of the sting out of what she was saying. She was rejecting him again. Like she had when she’d handed back his ring.
    “I think it is. I think it’s the right thing for us.”
    “How can it possibly be the right thing for us?”
    “Because we have this.” Marco pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers. His touch wasn’t gentle, like the other kisses they’d shared since he’d turned up. This kiss was full of passion and it filled her soul. She moaned under the onslaught of his mouth on hers. His hand slipped under her jacket and caressed her back before sliding around to her breasts that were aching for his touch.
    Her knees buckled and together they fell to the soft sand. She didn’t care that she was going to get sand in her clothes and hair. All she cared about was feeling the heavy weight of Marco on top of her, his fingers stroking her breasts in soft, circular motions. She shifted her hips and came in contact with his hard length. She shivered as she remembered all the times they’d made love, the way Marco had been able to make her body come alive with his every touch. She reached down and grabbed his buttocks, pulling him into closer contact with her. It was madness. It was the last thing she should do but she wanted him.