No Red Roses: A Loveswept Classic Romance (Santa Flores) Read Free Page B

thoughtfully at Tamara’s shocked face. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He whistled. “You actually didn’t know what your aunt was up to, did you?”
    Tamara squared her shoulders proudly. “Of course I didn’t realize the value of Mrs. Bettencourt’s gift, and neither did my aunt. She would never have accepted it if she’d known it was anything but a trinket. I’m quite sure she’ll return it immediately when I tell her.”
    “You’re damn right she will,” he said absently, still staring at her. There was an odd, flickering awareness in the depths of those dark eyes as his gaze moved from her face to her throat and then, in lingering assessment, to the full curve of her breasts. “Lord! You’re a lovely creature!”
    Tamara could feel the color rise to her face, and her breath caught in her throat. What in the world was wrong with her, she wondered with a panicky feeling in the pit of her stomach. All her cool assurance and control were gone in the timeit had taken Rex Brody to give her that one burning glance. Why did the man have such an effect on her? She could feel her breasts tingle in response to that intimate appraisal, as though he were stroking her with his hand instead of his eyes.
    She stood up abruptly and instinctively backed away from him. “Since we’ve agreed the egg will be returned to your aunt,” she said a trifle breathlessly, “I believe that concludes our business, Mr. Brody.”
    “Do you?” Brody leaned back on the couch, his gaze running over her lazily; each inch of her flesh seemed to burn and come to vibrant life beneath the insolent caress of his eyes. “You’re wrong, Tamara. I don’t think we’ve even started.”
    He rose with liquid grace and crossed swiftly to where she stood. He was only inches away; she felt the heat emanating from his body and his shaving lotion reminded her vaguely of Russian Leather.
    “I can’t allow your aunt to continue her activities, you know,” he said huskily. She couldsee by the quickening pulse in his throat he was as disturbed by her nearness as she was by his. “But that shouldn’t affect your financial arrangements to any great degree. I’m sure we can work something out.” His hand reached out almost compulsively to caress lightly the crimson taffeta covering her breasts and she could feel her nipples harden in response.
    “What do you mean?” she asked throatily, her gaze fixed helplessly on his face. Was she going crazy? Why was she standing here allowing this stranger to caress her with an intimacy she’d never allowed any man?
    “You know what I mean,” Brody said thickly. His dark eyes were blazing now and he drew a deep, steadying breath. “I mean that you turn me on. We’ve got some wild chemistry working, pretty lady.” He frowned impatiently. “Do you want it spelled out? I intend to take very good care of you. You needn’t worry about that. I’m a great deal richer than Bettencourt.” His lips tightened. “And I’m a helluva lot younger. I promise you that you won’t regret coming to me, Tamara.”
    “Coming to you?” she repeated blankly. Then the color rushed to her face as she understood and was able at last to break the golden sensual threads that held her. The man was propositioning her as if she were a high-priced call girl! Well, why not, she thought bitterly. It was probably exactly what Celia had led him to believe she was. Understanding his reasons didn’t modify her resentment toward him, however. Her violet eyes blazed. “Why should I come to you?” she asked recklessly. “Celia must have told you that I like variety in my lovers. Do you really think you could satisfy me?”
    Brody’s eyes blazed back at her. “I’m damn well sure I can,” he said deliberately. “And so are you. You want it as much as I do.” His hands reached out to grasp her shoulders. “And you’ll just have to forget that penchant for variety. I’m going to be the only man in your bed from now on.”
    “The