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Oh.
I had seen my fair share of beautiful men in my life. Heck, I hadlivedwith three of the world’s most beautiful men myentirelife, but even so there was just something about the stranger that called out to me, making him different, and his looks more...potent.I had never used that word to describe a man before, but for him it seemed fitting, with the way every little thing about him had a tremendous impact on my senses.
He was tall and powerfully built, the outline of his biceps made more prominent with how the sleeves of his white buttoned-up shirt were rolled up to his elbows. Faded jeans completed his casual look, but the way he carried himself made his clothes seem more elegant than a ten-thousand-dollar suit.
His raven black hair wasn’t so different from Jaak’s, but unlike my brother’s blue eyes – an all-famous de Konigh trademark – the other man’s eyes were exceptionally dark, deep-set, and exotic. His skin was a deep shade of bronze, the kind only Mediterranean men seemed naturally blessed with, and the way he moved was so very...Italian.
I couldn’t quite explain it, but I was sure anyone who watched the way this man moved would know what I mean. There was a certain kind of sensuality about him - almost forbidden in its explicitness – that literally made me hot all over.
I had never felt anything like it before. It should have terrified me, but instead I let it draw me in, the unusual heat he exuded making me lick my lips—-
Oh.
Did his eyes just narrow?
“This is my sister Anneke.” Jaak’s words drew my attention back to him momentarily, but when I glanced back at my brother’s friend, it was like I had only imagined the change in his gorgeous features.
Imusthave imagined it then.Right?
Jaak gestured carelessly to his companion. “Anneke, this is Marcus Ravelli. He’s staying with us for the summer.”
Marcus. I adjusted the old pair of glasses perched on my nose while I tested the man’s name in my mind.Marcus Ravelli.The name suited him. It sounded manly and sophisticated, mysterious and—-
Wait.
My gaze flew back to my brother. Had I heard him correctly? Was I going to live under the same roof with Mr. Italian Perfection over there?
When Jaak glanced at me oddly, I flushed and quickly rose to my feet, realizing I had been gaping all the while. I turned towards Marcus, telling myself to play it cool and act totally normal.
Hi. Heya. What’s up?
That was what I wanted to say.
But old habits died hard.
“Good afternoon.” I wanted to kick myself as soon as the words were out.
When Marcus’ lips twitched, I also realized that I was already halfway to offeringhim a handshake, and I managed to pull my arm back in time.
Stop being so formal, Anneke!
Marcus Ravelli closed the distance between us, and I fought against the urge to step back as his presence threatened to overwhelm me.“Ciao, bambina.”His accent was exquisite, but as his dark eyes slid over me, I found myself reminded of three things.
One: I was still in my teddy bear PJs.
Two: I hadn’t taken a bath for two days.
Three: My nose still felt a bit runny, thanks to getting my heart broken as the last minutes of Dawson’s Creek’s season finale played out.
It was like being punched with a three-hit-combo, the knowledge of just how awful I looked right now frying my brain—-
Ah! Wah! Gah!
—-and I found myself at a loss.
What should I do first?
Switch the TV off to salvage my reputation as the smart, sensible girl in the family?
