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She gave him another one of her warm smiles before turning back eagerly to the opera, seemingly unaware that her hand still lay clasped within Drakon’s.
Exactly when, he wondered, had this woman slipped beneath his guard of cynicism? When, exactly, had he ceased to regard Gemini as nothing but an intrusive nuisance, one he wished out of his life as quickly as she had thrust herself into it? When had that protectiveness he had felt after learning of Angela Bartholomew’s viciousness towards her become so all-consuming?
He had no need to wonder why it had happened. He had realised only too well during this past hour of watching her, of looking at her, exactly the reasons she was now such an important part of his life.
If not the most important…
‘Wasn’t that absolutely amazing?’ Gemini exclaimed several hours later as she and Drakon emerged onto the lamplit cobbled street outside the amphitheatre, her hand resting on the crook of his arm so that they wouldn’t be separated amongst the crowds of happy people milling around them.
Drakon had seemed distant towards her during the interval, although true to his word they had sought out Sam. Drakon had insisted on the younger man joining them for a glass of champagne. As she had requested, Drakon had offered no apology for his earlier behaviour, but instead had warmly encouraged her cousin to talk of the places he had already visited during what was apparently a touring holiday of Italy—something the enthusiastic Sam had been only too happy to do.
Gemini shot Drakon a concerned glance now. ‘You know, I was only being half serious earlier when I called you a Neanderthal.’
To her relief he gave her a wry smile. ‘It was a perfectly justified accusation on your part.’ He grimaced. ‘I behaved badly.’
‘You made up for it by being charming to Sam during the interval,’ she said.
Drakon came to a halt as he looked down at her quizzically. ‘Are you always so ready to forgive?’
She shrugged. ‘Life’s really too short to do anything else, don’t you think?’
His mouth thinned. ‘Some people are beyond forgiveness.’
‘Well…yes.’ Gemini didn’t need to ask which person he was referring to! ‘But in those circumstances surely the best thing to do is simply cut them out of your life rather than reduce yourself to their level?’
Drakon looked down at her in open admiration. ‘Enjoyable as the opera undoubtedly was, you are what I have found amazing this evening, Gemini.’
She gave him a startled look. ‘I am?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Despite the Neanderthal remark?’ she teased.
He laughed softly. ‘In spite of it.’
‘Oh…’
Drakon tilted his head as he looked down at her quizzically for several long seconds. ‘You really have no idea how unusual a woman you are, do you?’ he finally said warmly.
Gemini wasn’t quite sure what to make of Drakon in his current mood. His cynicism she had learnt to cope with. His arrogance, too. Even his mockery was easily deflected if she didn’t allow it to get to her. What Gemini had no idea how to deal with was this admiring, almost gentle Drakon…
‘I’m just me, Drakon,’ she protested.
‘Exactly.’
Gemini frowned up at him in the lamplight, her heart starting to beat loudly in her chest. She saw the warmth in his obsidian eyes as he gazed steadily back at her, a nerve pulsing in his jaw, those chiselled lips softened and slightly parted.
Oh, good Lord!
Physically innocent she might be, but she would have to be a moron not to recognise the look in his eyes for the desire that it was. Ditto the parted invitation of his lips. It was a desire the nerve pulsing in his jaw would seem to indicate he was holding firmly under his control. Unless Gemini were to indicate she wished it otherwise.
The question was, did she want to do that?
When she had come to Verona six years ago it had been as a beloved daughter being given a special birthday treat by her parents. Being here now with Drakon was absolutely nothing like that.
Their slight disagreement apart, she had been absolutely, totally aware of him all evening—despite the magical opera. That awareness had been humming beneath the surface of her skin all evening, with a tingling that made her sensitive nipples ache and heat pool between her thighs. It was an ache that she knew Drakon was more than capable of satisfying.
She looked up at him in the golden glow of the lamplight. The strong angles of his face were thrown into shadows, his dark eyes were looking down at her, and she knew that she wanted him to make love with her more than she had ever wanted anything in her life before.
