Naldo crossed his arms over his chest, obviously taking her challenge as the thrown gauntlet she intended. His black eyes held her gaze just long enough for her heart to start pounding against her ribs, then he let them drift.
Over her unmadeup face, her neck. She swallowed, her coffee cup quivering in her hand.
His menacing, seductive, dark-lashed eyes slid lower. Over the flimsy pink cotton camisole that clung to her braless breasts. Her nipples rose as if on command, pushing against the soft fabric in direct defiance of her own wishes.
The tiniest hint of a smile twitched at the edge of that wide, arrogant and disgustingly sensual mouth.
Anna lifted the cup and took a deep gulp of coffee, which suddenly tasted bitter as poison.
She shifted her bare feet on the linoleum floor, an action that only drew his attention lower. Those dark, invasive pupils drifted insolently down the length of her bare legs.
Her knees weak and her breath coming in short gulps, Anna tossed her uncombed hair and lifted her chin. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” His rich, velvety voice thickened as he raised his eyes to meet hers.
He took a step forward, and before she knew what was happening he’d grabbed her keys off the table. Rage slicing through her, she slammed down her cup and swiped at them.
Instead of snatching the keys behind his back, Naldo stepped forward, slid a broad, long-fingered hand around her waist…
And crushed his lips over hers in a hot, heavy and unrelenting kiss.
The scent of him-tangy soap, clean skin and raw, unbridled masculinity-disengaged her faculties. His powerful hands held her firm while he feasted on her mouth. Her lips parted to welcome his tongue as her nipples stung with painful arousal, crushed against his thick chest.
Naldo De Leon is kissing me.
The eager tenth-grader inside her thrilled with the astonishing and unexpected pleasure of a dream come true. A dream cherished and nurtured for so long that it had taken on the weight of a legend.
Her body hummed with trills of delight right to her toes and fingertips. A shock of sizzling chemistry and magic made the proverbial fireworks dance behind her closed eyelids. Her body swayed in his arms as she melted in the searing heat of his kiss.
Then he pulled back. Eyes narrowed, gleaming.
Her heart thumped as her hand flew to her mouth. What on earth had just happened?
Naldo held up her keys.
“Thank you.” Cool and dismissive, his words echoed in her ears as he turned and strode from the room.
Three
Anna stomped along the sidewalk, chest ready to burst with anger. Naldo De Leon deserved a public flogging. No. Flogging was too good for him. A hanging would be better.
The nerve of him to march right into her kitchen and kiss her as if he was an eighteenth-century Duke and she was some comely serving wench he fancied that morning.
Arrrggghhh! She fought the urge to scream out loud in broad daylight in the middle of town. Round Lake was a sleepy, relaxed burg reminiscent of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Right now the bright noon sunlight gleaming off neat storefronts and smiling shoppers were an affront to her violent mood.
He’d snatched her keys as if they were his! Didn’t bring them back, either. Just parked her van on the grass, and left it there with the keys in the ignition.
Unbelievable.
She’d hunkered inside, boiling with rage, while the distant sound of mallets tapping a ball, horses snorting and the cheers of a gaggle of simpering groupies had continued for most of the morning. Then they’d all streamed back past the cottage in their honking great horse trailers and shiny sports cars, off to the next diversion for the rich and idle.
She’d like to take a polo mallet to Naldo and-
But no. She was bigger than that.
She took in a deep breath as she approached the plateglass window of the lawyer’s office. She reached into her bag for the thick envelope the lawyers had handed her after the will reading.
The deed and map to her property.
Her mood was considerably less punchy when she left the office half an hour later, her brain humming with talk of “easements” and “use-by-right” and “right-of-way.”
None of which she had. The lawyer had laughed at the idea of going up against the De Leons with a claim of “adverse possession.” It would require an expensive legal wrangle with minimal chance of success.
She had no choice but to sell to Naldo.
Once again, she was rattled and ticked off to find him inside the cottage when she returned.
“What are you doing in my mother’s house?”
Still in his mud-spattered polo uniform, Naldo filled the tiny kitchen. “Looking for you.”
“So you thought you’d just let yourself in and wait?” She crossed her arms over her chest, as her blood temperature rose. “You’re getting the floor dirty.”
Naldo glanced down at his tall black boots, which weren’t nearly as clean as they’d been that morning. “I’ll send someone over to tidy up.”
“The door was locked.”
“I have a key.” He flashed his palm, where a key glinted. Not unlike the gleam in his wicked black eyes.
“This is my property now. You have no right!” Her voice rose to a squeak.
She took a deep breath to calm herself. No sense getting all huffy. She needed to sell the property to Naldo, or it was as good as worthless.
Play nice.
“I’m sorry. I’m just a little emotional, I guess. It’s been a rough few days.”
“I know. I apologize for kissing you this morning. It was inappropriate.”
His face was serious, not a glimpse of teasing humor.
He was sorry for kissing her.
A deflating rush of disappointment slackened her muscles. Had she hoped he’d be overcome with passion and longing for more? That he’d fall madly in love with her?
Puh-lease.
“Apology accepted,” she said stiffly.
“I’ve had a tough few days, too. I guess I’m a little strung out.”
She nodded, wishing he would just leave while she still had some semblance of control.
His wide, dark eyes held her gaze with gripping intensity. “Would you do me the honor of having dinner with me again tonight? I’m rather ashamed of my behavior, both last night and this morning, and I’d like a chance to make it up to you.”
Again, the serious expression. No hint of mockery.
Anna swallowed. Would you do me the honor?
His words struck a raw nerve. Naldo talking to her like she was a real person, deserving of respect.
Get over yourself. He just wants to butter you up so he can buy the land back. And you need to sell it to him as much as he needs to buy it.
“Yes, I’ll come.”
He nodded, then executed a half bow, like an ancient courtier. “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.”
He left her frowning and trying to ignore an infuriating rush of excitement. It’s only business. Tonight you can exchange the papers for money, and tomorrow you can leave with your dignity intact.
As the door closed behind him, the footprints on the linoleum drew her attention. They weren’t just between the door and the spot where he’d been standing in front of the kitchen sink. They went all around the kitchen, into the tiny bathroom. She traced them. Not really footprints, just hints of dirt here and there.
