He was shaking… in the circle of her arms. When had Lara closed her arms around him? It didn’t seem important. Briefly, crazily, she experienced an extraordinary sense of power. A heartbeat later it was torn from her by the burning assault of his hungry mouth.          Her body leaped into throbbing life. Any rational thought she might’ve had ended for long, timeless minutes. The scent of him was so achingly familiar it was an aphrodisiac.          Christophe’s shirt was open and Lara found the sleek, smooth brown skin of his shoulder with her tongue and he shuddered against her, chest to breast, thigh to thigh in a savage feast of agonizing, uncontrollable excitement.          He rolled over and wrenched violently at her dress. She heard something

           His palms still framing her face. His brilliant golden eyes, blazing with desire, scanned hers. Simultaneously, her nostrils flared. Lara could sense a woman’s perfume still clung to him. Her stomach twisted painfully. Christophe had been in close bodily contact with another woman. Nausea doused her excitement. She jerked her head free and slid upright on wobbly legs.“No doubt you’re very familiar with those kinds of facilities.”          An ebony eyebrow elevated.“Do you want the truth or a polite fiction? Of course, there have been women in my life, but never more than one at a time.”          Furiously, Lara turned her head away. All she could smell was that perfume and it was turning her stomach now, reminding her what a fool she was in this man’s presence.  &

         A groan of remembered embarrassment escaped Lara while she was waking up.“Oh, God… Why did I let it happen… I must be out of my mind…” she whispered and sat up.          Lara had felt half-dead when Christophe had all but carried her on to the helicopter. She had been wishing she were dead by the time she was hauled off it again, sick and in a state of collapse.          Her impressions had been fleeting. Lara recalled the cluster of security men converging on the helipad, blurred glimpses of an incredibly large white villa, and heat that only increased the nonstop pounding behind her temples.          Jet lag had finally caught up with her. A rueful grimace slanted her face as she gingerly slid out of bed to gratefully appreciate that the ground beneat

          And Lara had gone crazy, appalled and outraged that this despicable man could use her father to pressure her into coming to bed with him.  The fact that she was engaged to be married meant nothing to him.          A violent row had ensued. Lara had been so furious, she had no memory of her abuse, but Christophe had lost his temper too. Her attempt to slap his face had landed her on her back on the sofa with Christophe on top of her... And then it had begun, in raw mutual anger that, terrifyingly swiftly, had turned into the scorching heat of an uncontrollable passion.          A passion that was insanity to her in the aftermath of shame and disbelief. But he hadn’t held her down and forced her to submit to his mouth and the heated caress of his hands. She had been a full participant. Hating him, wanting him, needing him, hating herse

          Lunch was being served outdoors beneath the leafy splendor of a ring of flame trees. Beyond them, flight after flight of shallow steps adorned with classical statues descended to the white beach below.          Demis Agelastos gave Lara a good look. He had a fiercely amused scrutinizing gaze. Flustered, Lara dropped down into her seat. One of the maids had awakened her and she hadn’t had much time to get ready.          When she glanced up again, Christophe’s brilliant golden eyes were wandering with indolent satisfaction over her in a look as unashamedly physical as a caress. A deep flush of awareness colored her skin, making her desperately conscious of the unfamiliar ache between her thighs.          Erotic recollections surfaced and Lara fought them to the