LITMIR.BIZ

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chose to display even the mildest interest in.

      The thought that he would do just such a thing punched so fierce a reaction in her belly that she suppressed a shocked gasp.

      What on earth is wrong with me? She needed to get herself back under control before she did something foolish—like discard her plans for tomorrow in favour of spending more time with this infuriatingly self-assured, visually stunning man.

      Giving herself a fierce pep talk, she pulled her hand from his grasp.

      She folded her hand in her lap and wrapped her other hand over her wrist. But suddenly her own touch felt…inadequate.

      She was saved from exploring the peculiar feeling when the lights dimmed and the projector started reeling pictures of miles and miles of rusted shingle roofs that formed the world famous Rio favelas.

      Her father climbed onto the podium to begin his speech.

      The tale of despair-driven prostitution, violence, gang warfare and kidnapping of innocents, and the need to do whatever was needed to help was one she’d heard at many fund-raisers and charity dinners.

      She clenched her fist. Knowing that half the people in here, dripping in diamonds and tuxedos worth several thousand dollars, would’ve forgotten the plight of the favela residents by the time dessert was served made her silently scream in frustration.

      The need to get up, to walk out almost overwhelmed her but she stayed put.

      There would be no running. No walking away from the work she’d committed herself to, nor walking away from the formative minds that were depending on her.

      Fierce pride tightened her chest at the part she was playing in the young lives under her charge. And the fact that she’d managed to change that part of her own life without her father or brother’s interference.

      She refocused as her father finished his speech to rousing applause. The projector was shut off and the lights grew brighter.

      She reached forward for her glass of wine and noticed that she was once again the focus of Theo’s gaze.

      ‘Should I be offended that I’m being so comprehensively ignored?’ he asked.

      ‘It’s not a state you’re used to, I expect?’ With her surroundings once more in focus, she noticed the looks he was getting from women on other tables. She didn’t delude herself that any of them were interested in his views on politics or world peace. No, each and every one of them would vie for much more personal, much more physical contact with the lean, broad-shouldered man next to her, whose hands casually caressed his wine glass stem in a way that made her think indecent thoughts.

      She noticed the young famous actress on the next table where Theo should have been sitting gazing over at him, and again felt the sharp edge of an unknown emotion pierce her insides.

      His smile grew hard. ‘You’d be surprised.’

      Curiosity brought her gaze back to his. ‘Would I? How?’

      ‘That question makes me think you’ve formed an opinion of me.’

      ‘And that answer convinces me that you’re very good at deflecting. You may fool others, but you do not fool me.’

      He stared at her for a moment before one corner of his mouth lifted. Abruptly, he stood and held out his hand. ‘Dance with me, anjo, and enlighten me further as to what you think you know about me.’

      The demand was silky and yet implacable. In full view of the other guests, her refusal would be extremely discourteous.

      Her heart hammered as she slowly slid her hand into his and let him draw her to her feet.

      Emotions she was trying and failing to suppress flared up at the warmth and firmness of his grip. Fervently, she prayed for time to speed up, for the evening to end so she could be free of this man. Her reaction to him was puzzling in the extreme and the notion that she was being toyed with unsettled her more with each passing second.

      As they skirted the table to head for the dance floor, her gaze met her father’s. Expecting approval for accommodating the man whose business he was so obviously keen to garner, she was taken aback when she saw his icy disapproval.

      Through the elite Rio grapevine she knew Alfonso Delgado’s net worth and knew he couldn’t afford to acquire a controlling share of Da Costa Holdings. So why did her father disapprove of a man who was clearly superior in monetary worth to Alfonso?

      ‘You really have to do better with your social skills than this. Or I’ll have to do something drastic to retain your attention.’ The hard bite to Theo’s voice slashed through her thoughts. ‘Or were you really that into Delgado?’

      ‘No, I wasn’t.’

      Her immediate denial seemed to pacify him. ‘Then tell me what’s on your mind.’

      Inez found herself speaking before she could snap at him not to issue orders. ‘Have you ever found yourself in a position where everything you do turns out wrong, no matter how hard you try?’

      ‘There have been a few instances.’ He pulled her close and slid an arm around her back. Heat transmitted to her skin via the soft material of her dress and flooded through her body. This close, his scent washed over her. Strong but not overpowering, masculine and heady in a way that made her want to draw even closer, touch her mouth to the bronze skin just above his collar.

       Deus!

      ‘You think this is one of those occasions for you?’

      ‘I don’t think; I know.’

      ‘Why?’

      Her laugh grated its way up her throat. ‘Because I have a perfectly functioning brain.’

      ‘You’re worried because your father and brother are displeased with you?’

      ‘Everything else this evening has gone according to plan except…’

      ‘Delgado. You’re worried that your father offered you up on a silver platter because he seems to think you’re a prize worth winning and now he’ll demand to know what you did wrong.’

      Her eyes snapped to his, the insult surprisingly painful. ‘What do you mean by seems to think? What do you know about my father? Or about me, for that matter?’

      Theo forced himself not to tense at the question. Or let the fact that her body seemed to fit so perfectly in his arms impact on his thinking abilities. ‘Enough.’

      ‘Do you always go around making unfounded remarks about someone you’ve just met?’

      He let a small smile play over his mouth. ‘Enlighten me, then. Are you a prize worth winning?’

      ‘There’s no point enlightening you because it will serve no useful purpose. After tonight you and I will never meet again.’

      She took a firm step back. Attempted to prise herself out of his arms. He held her easily, willing back the thrum of anger and bitterness that rose like bile in his throat.

      ‘Never say never, anjo.’

      Her fiery brown eyes glared at him. ‘Don’t.’

      He feigned innocence. ‘Don’t what?’

      ‘Don’t keep calling me that.’

      ‘You don’t like it?’

      ‘You have no right to slap a pet name on someone you just met.’

      The hand holding hers tightened. ‘Calm down—’

      ‘No, I won’t calm down. I’m not an angel. I’m certainly not your angel.’

      ‘Inez.’ A warning, subtle but effective.

      Inez’s pulse stalled, then thundered wildly through her veins.

      ‘Don’t,’

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