8 Brand-New Romance Authors. Avril Tremayne

box across the table. Calm down. It’s probably for his cousin’s benefit.

      ‘Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?’

      His dark eyes were watching her intently. When she looked into them she thought she saw the same desire she’d seen at the party, the same simmering passion. Just as she’d thought she’d seen it earlier, when they were in the car. But that couldn’t be, could it?

      She reached for the box, aware of the role she had to play, but he caught her hand in his. The heat of his touch was almost too much.

      ‘Marry me?’

      ‘Yes.’ Her whole body quivered, but she couldn’t lower her gaze, couldn’t break that tenuous connection. ‘Yes, I’ll marry you.’

      Slowly he let her hand go, opened the box and pulled out a glittering diamond ring. As he slid it onto her finger the candlelight made it sparkle, bringing it to life. He lifted her hand to his lips, his gaze holding hers captive, and kissed her fingers.

      This was what it would really feel like, she thought as she looked into his dark eyes. This was be the closest she’d ever come to having a real proposal.

      Applause erupted around them, making her jump. She hadn’t realised they were being watched, and neither had Santos. Even he looked taken aback. She laughed, unable to help herself, and the tension of the moment slipped away as the other diners returned their attention to their meals.

      ‘Let’s go,’ he said in a throaty growl, sounding as if he really couldn’t wait to get her home. Something indefinable skittered over her, making her tummy somersault and her breath tighten in her chest.

      Don’t do this to yourself. You are just a means to an end. He doesn’t really want you.

      It was dark as they walked back along the street. Yachts were lit up, giving everything a magical appeal. The warm breeze on her skin felt wonderful, but not as wonderful as Santos’s arm about her waist, pulling her against his magnificent body. She savoured the moment, stored it for later. The champagne she’d drunk was making it easier to enjoy being with him like this and easier to let go of her usual anxiety. This wonderful feeling was going to have to last her a lifetime.

      By the car Santos stopped. Instinctively she looked up at him, then couldn’t help herself as she reached up and kissed his lips. His response was gentle at first, setting her body alight. The fire was fuelled further by his hands sliding down her back, pulling her so very close to him. Whatever it was that had simmered between them at the party was now well and truly alight. As her hips pressed against his aroused body she knew he wanted her. Was it so wrong to give in to it? To enjoy it for what it was? A passing attraction.

      ‘Santos,’ she murmured against his lips.

      It was all the encouragement he needed and he deepened the kiss, plunging his tongue into her mouth as she sighed in pleasure.

      Need rocketed through her body and she almost became incapable of thought as he stepped closer, forcing her back against the side of his car, pressing hard against her and stoking the fire deep within her body. Unleashing an insatiable need for him.

      His hand slid down her side, over her hip and down to her bottom. He pulled her hard against him and raw desire tore through her, leaving her gasping against his lips as her arms clung around his neck. It was mind-blowing. She’d never known anything like it.

      A flash lit up the world for a second—or so it seemed to Georgina. But in that second she regained her breath, and the control she’d so very nearly lost. She turned her face to the opportunist photographer, knowing he was just what she needed to bring her feet firmly back to the ground.

      Beside her Santos spoke in Spanish, his voice thick and hoarse as the photographer snapped another photo. Quickly Santos put some distance between them and opened the car door for her, but she didn’t miss the raw desire in his eyes.

      Once they were inside she asked, ‘What did you tell him?’

      ‘That we’d just got engaged and needed private time.’ His voice was husky and heavily accented.

      Of course he’d say that. But she couldn’t help feeling humiliated. His kiss—which had been part of the act, the charade—had nearly been her undoing. She’d wanted more...wanted him to take her home. More than anything she’d wanted him to take her to his bed. But that could never happen.

      Never.

      To allow him to know how much her feelings towards him had changed would be the worst possible scenario. With that in mind she retreated to her room as soon as they arrived back at his villa.

      * * *

      The next morning Georgina used the excuse of it being Sunday and stayed in her room. Eventually she ventured out, hoping the quietness of the villa meant Santos was ensconced in his study.

      As she strolled through the living area movement in the pool caught her eye. Santos was powering through the water, his strokes effortless. She shouldn’t be watching but couldn’t help herself, almost unaware of each step towards the pool she took. The afternoon sun shone brightly and she put on her sunglasses, watching as his muscles flexed.

      Abruptly he stopped and looked at her, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. ‘Are you coming in?’

      The husky depths of his voice made her stomach flutter and she was glad of the sunglasses she could hide behind. ‘I’ll give it a miss,’ she said as she sat down on the edge of a sun lounger, even more drawn to him.

      ‘Pity,’ he replied, and swam over to her. His hair was flat against his head and rivulets of water ran down his face. ‘It’s very relaxing.’

      Hardly. The thought of being in the water with him made her pulse race, and inwardly she cursed the attraction she felt for him. It was making things complicated.

      ‘Maybe a walk along the beach?’

      ‘That would be nice,’ she said, and stood up, aware that at any moment he would haul his bronzed body from the water. And she wasn’t ready for that. ‘I’ll go and change.’

      Not trusting herself to look back at him, she hurried to her room and changed into a cool dress and flat sandals. Regaining her composure, she returned to the terrace and waited.

      She knew when he was there as if her body was completely tuned in to his. She turned to face him and that spark of attraction zipped instantly between them.

      ‘Shall we?’

      He took her hand and for a moment their eyes met, his darkening instantly. She remembered his touch last night, his kiss, and could hardly draw breath.

      Right now, with his hand holding hers she felt safe. Cherished.

      As if he could read her thoughts he held her hand just a little tighter. She smiled a genuine smile, one she couldn’t hold back, as he stepped closer and brushed his lips over hers.

      Everything around her ceased to exist. It was just the two of them. No deal—nothing. When he pulled back she looked up into his eyes. Was this what she’d been searching for? This strange warm feeling of contentment?

      ‘We won’t get very far like this,’ she teased lightly, her heart almost melting as he laughed softly.

      ‘Sí, you are right. We will walk.’

      Sand, warm from the afternoon sun, poured into her sandals, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to savour this moment. Because this was what it must be like, that glowing feeling of a new relationship. The first tender stirrings of love. Was it even possible?

      ‘You’re smiling,’ he said as he pulled her to a stop, his hand not relinquishing its hold on hers. ‘For the first time since we met you look happy.’

      ‘I am.’ And she meant it. Right now all she wanted was to be herself, to bask in the warmth of this new sensation. Santos made her feel things she’d never thought possible, and knowing those feelings wouldn’t last