Love Entwined Read Free Page A

that the fateful words of acceptance were out of her mouth, the wind went out of her sails.
    Mr. Cardiff smiled as smoothly as he had just engineered this desired outcome. He sat down on the other end of the sofa and stretched long, muscular legs out. They nearly reached the desk Harold leaned against. A swimmer’s physique, she thought and then shut that errant thought down as quickly as it had surfaced. “Excellent,” he said. “When will you be ready to leave for St. Clair Manor?”
    “Mr. Cardiff, this is highly irregular. I cannot be contracted out…” She looked at Harold.
    He shrugged.
    She schooled her voice back to a modicum of professionalism.
    “Mr. Cardiff, we have everything we need here at Penrods to do the job. I can forward the sketches to you in just a few weeks’ time.”
    Harold cleared his throat and belatedly, she realized what he was going to say.
    “Actually, Amelie, we are also contracted for a refurbishment project.”
    Merde , it would take months.
    She had gone from the verge of resigning her position to yet another commitment, to him , no less.
    Still, she had been cornered by powerful men before. Men who were born with advantage in the corporate sector. Men who obtained everything they wanted and many things they didn’t, without even trying.
    Some men, she snorted inwardly, don’t deserve the women they have. Or had. But she’d promised herself she would not think about Emil Garamonde anymore. As much as it hurt to know she’d lost control with Emil, she had finally convinced herself that what happened between them was a normal, human mistake. It was okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. And, oh, how she’d learned. She would never let her guard down again.
    Mr. Cardiff’s good looks hardened her resolve. She tried again to dissuade him from this kidnapping Harold was consenting to because this time she wanted to win. She put cold steel in her voice.
    “Another few weeks, and the jewels will be safe here in our vault while I work on them.”
    His chiding chuckle said they were both aware he had her. It made her feel chastened, but it also made her legs weak with an unwelcome tremor of desire.
    The handsome devil had dimples to boot.
    “Ms. Laurent, I am afraid that is impossible. The Cardiff collection never leaves St. Clair Manor. I’m sure you will find our facilities more than adequate. As for the sketches, I will need to work closely with you on concepts.” His eyes raked her form again. “I am very hands-on.”
    Her legs did give way then. She sat down on the divan. How could I have ever thought his smile was angelic?
    She kept silent while Harold discussed details with Mr. Cardiff.
    Not only was she still employed with Penrods, but she would be for months more. She toyed with the notion of recommending someone else for the assignment, and then gave it up. It was one thing to leave Penrods. She had offers from other fine houses, which ensured she would be back at work creating designs after a few weeks of vacation. However, turning down the Cardiff assignment would close some of those doors to her. It was the equivalent of taking a step down on her careful ladder of success.
    When Mr. Cardiff stood to shake hands with Harold, his eyes were on her.
    Amelie could not smile at him, but managed a nod in farewell.
    It was done—she was going to England.

Chapter 3
    New York City – February 1988
    Roman sat in the back of the limo as it snaked its way through traffic on Fifth Avenue.
    There was undeniable attraction between them. She must have felt it, too. He saw when the realization came to her. Her expressive features had closed into a mask of professionalism. She wanted to pretend this would be a business relationship. But when he wanted something as much as he wanted Amelie Laurent, it was only a matter of time. He would play her game until she was more comfortable with her conscience.
    He had never seen her at Penrods before. If he had, she would not be