Free The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) by Susie Warren Page A

closer to her but didn’t touch her.
    “Since you can read me so well, you figure it out.”
    He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I think you have a hard time relaxing the barriers you have built around yourself.”
    “You know almost nothing about me…” Lucia faltered as she tried to put her chaotic thoughts into words.
    “Show me, let me in…” he let his words trail off. 
    “This marriage was a mistake. I’m not willing to compound that by getting too close to you.”
    Anderson reached out and tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. “I can wait but I expect you to play the part of a normal wife.” His words were low and persuasive.
    Lucia was appalled by the entire situation. Instead of her wedding night being romantic with a groom professing his love for her, she was faced with a politician who was more interested in his media coverage then the woman he married.
    “I’m not attracted to you.” She wondered if any female had ever turned him down.
    “Is that supposed to be a challenge?” he asked her.
    A shiver of apprehension flowed over her body. “No. It’s the truth.” 
     
    He couldn’t believe her audacity. “Let’s put that statement of fact to the test. If you really feel distaste when I touch you then I’ll leave you alone. If not, then we will consummate our marriage.”
    She stared at him, saying “I find you revolting in fact.”
    “Prove it.” He watched her skin pale and a pulse at the base of her neck beat erratically.
    “How do you expect me to prove something that I feel?” Lucia asked him.
    “If you can resist me then you win. I’ll leave you alone.” Anderson told her.
    He watched her as a series of fleeting emotions passed over her face. 
    “Are you worried about a few kisses?”
    “No, I’m not afraid.” Lucia said.
    “Then come here.” Anderson challenged her.
    She walked towards him and he watched her stiff, choppy movements. She was nervous. He needed to put her at ease. She was so beautiful and he wanted nothing more than to bring her pleasure.
    She stopped a few inches from him and waited.
    “Touch me.” He instructed her.
    He watched her hesitate, saying “No. I’m not a puppet about to obey your every command.”
    He scooped her up into his embrace and said “You take my breath away, bella”.
     
    Lucia could feel her protective barrier start to slip when Anderson held her for a few seconds before carefully placing her on the bed. In one fluid moment his body covered hers and she could feel the warmth radiating from his bare chest. Anderson began a slow seduction of kisses over her face. He lightly traced the outline of her robe with his hands and she had to stop herself for reaching out to him.
    Lucia moved her hips slightly in an attempt to limit any intimate contact with Anderson’s half-clad body but the movement only served to encourage him. He placed his hands on her hips and moved her gently until there could be no doubt of his full arousal and she gasped. He took her mouth again in a sensual assault.
    Time seemed to be suspended. Lucia moved her hands up to trace the lean muscles on his back, savoring the feel of his satin skin under her fingertips. Lucia could feel his strength and was amazed by the tenderness he exuded. 
    Instead of and she began to explore his body with her hands and mouth. She felt her control over her emotions slipping and had to remind herself he was only interested in what he could get from her. As if an icy bucket of water was thrown suddenly on her, Lucia abruptly sat up and said “I don’t want this or you.” 
    “I don’t have the yearning to melt the icy disdain you so protectively shroud yourself in.”
    Moving away from him, Lucia felt an emptiness that caused her heart to ache. She clutched her hands in response to the overwhelming feeling that her rejection of him was wrong. 
    Reaching the doorway, he turned and said, “Enjoy your solitude”.
    He left so quietly Lucia thought he