Bargain in Bronze

“Shut down?” she said bluntly. “Turn to stone?”

“Mmm,” he agreed with a guilty smile. “But I can work on that. We can work on that? Because how I feel around you…is wonderful.” He turned to face her, his eyes anxious—his words now hesitant. “It’s also frightening. It’s like…something is within my grasp and I’m not sure how to hold on to it. You know my last serious girlfriend was a while ago and she got sick of my lifestyle pretty quick. She also ‘played fast and loose.’ So I know how that feels.”

“Well, she was a crazy woman,” Nina said, shocked. “And you should know I’d never do that to you.”

“I know, and I wouldn’t to you. So don’t walk out of my life. Take a chance and see where this goes.”

Her innards curled—afraid of hoping. Of believing. “It’s too fast.”

“Fast is good,” he said. “Fast is fun. Not something to be afraid of. There’s something between us, Nina, something filled with promise. Something precious.”

“Eduar—”

“I know you don’t want to see those people from Canada. But you don’t have to leave London to avoid them.”

“I don’t care about them anymore.”

He frowned. “Then why are you still going? I know how much you’d really like to stay for the Games.”

She swallowed. How could she admit he was the reason she was running away now? But she knew he guessed, because his whole expression softened and he quickly pressed a kiss to her cheek.

He whispered in her ear. “I have a much better plan.”

Still silent, she looked at him.

“Come hide in my apartment,” he invited. “In my bed. Watch all the Olympics you want. In fact,” and he looked inspired. “We’ll have our own Olympics.”

Sensation rippled down Nina’s body. Her nipples tightened. Their own Olympics? “That’s a fantasy…”

He nodded. “A good one. I’ve so many fantasies going on up here.” He tapped the side of his forehead. “I’m owed months of leave—I’m going to take it. I’m going to see where you take me.”

No way. No way was this really happening. “You’re a fearsomely intelligent person, you’ll get bored with me.”

“Bored of Elizabethan smut?” he laughed. “You’re interested in anything, everything. How could I ever get bored with you around asking questions of everyone?”

His words made her glow. Her curiosity for obscure information had annoyed Corey. Apparently, it intrigued Eduardo. And he enthralled her. And his fully confident, winning smile showed that he knew it, too.

“Put this back on.” He placed the ring on the small patch of seat between them.

She hesitated. “This isn’t a proposal.” She had to check.

He looked thoughtful. “It’s a promise of something much more.”

Nina swallowed.

“You know I’m only going to leave it there anyway,” he teased.

She began to smile.

“Take it, so you have to see me again to give it back to me. That’s the game I’ve been playing all along, you know.”

“Really?” She laughed, but her eyes had that suspicious stinging sensation. He’d come after her. This gorgeous, wonderful man who had so much to offer the world—he’d come for her. He wanted what she had to offer—just herself.

“I didn’t realize it, but yes.” He pulled her closer, his gentle fingers lifting her chin so her mouth almost met his. “My subconscious was doing me a favor.” His lips brushed hers as he spoke.

Her throat was so clogged with emotion she could hardly speak. “I’ve been afraid I’d lose it,” she whispered.

“You won’t,” he muttered between kisses. “You won’t lose me, either.” He stroked the side of her face with his fingers. “That’s my promise. I want a different life, Nina. I want the life only you can bring to me. Fun, happy. Loving.”

His silver-blue eyes shone—with seduction, emotion, honesty.

And she believed him. Her heart soared and joy spread through her body so fast she felt dizzy. She didn’t resist when he lifted her hand and slid the ring back on her finger.

Her lips quivered—it was going to be tears or laughter. She was determined laughter would win. “Our own Olympics?” she asked, hideously wobbly.

“Yeah, I’m thinking some marathon riding events.” He sidled closer, putting one arm around her shoulders, the other high on her thigh.

“Some pole-vaulting?” She wriggled, letting his fingers slip between her legs.

“Some diving.” His fingers tickled in a far too private place.

“And there are going to be amazing fireworks, right?”

“Incredible.”

“Then let’s not miss the train.”

They switched trains specially so they could ride the silver rail. On the silver, Nina knew, seduction was guaranteed.

Gamble In Gold

Natalie Anderson

Chapter One

“I’ll only be a minute, sweetheart,” Lexie Peterson called back to the whimpering dog lying in the middle of the massive bed.

With a laugh, she headed down the hall to the gleaming fridge in the luxury kitchen. She’d never have picked Luke Marchetti to own such a pathetic excuse for a pooch. Sure the thing was cute, but it was so not Luke. And what kind of a name for a dog was Mango? And how on earth could Dani’s stepdaughter be afraid of a dog smaller than the average cat and burdened with a snuffle instead of a bark?

Not that Lexie was going to argue with Dani. Lexie had landed in London three days ago with no money, no job, and nowhere to stay. Her best friend—and Luke’s sister—had handed her Mango and the keys to Luke’s apartment. Lexie had resisted until Dani assured her that Luke was out of town for the month and his serviced apartment was empty. Given that poor Mango had gone on a hunger strike at the kennel where Luke had dumped him, and that Dani’s four-year-old stepdaughter was paralytically afraid of any kind of hound (even uber-midget hounds like Mango), Lexie was really doing them all a huge favor by taking care of the critter while Luke was away. That way she could find a job and a flat, and frankly, a life. Dani always had all the answers.

So here Lexie was, in the lion’s den. The home of the one and only Luke Marchetti, her high school crush. Her first-ever crush. Now some superstar management consultant at one of those trendy global firms that only hired amazing graduates with extreme extracurricular success. Which pretty much described Luke to a tee. The guy didn’t just go for gold, he was gold. Even now he was off being awesome, doing something most mere mortals couldn’t ever manage—a marathon. But he wasn’t just running a marathon. He was blistering his feet to help someone else.

Lexie tried hard not to be all that impressed. She was determined that seven years had taken care of her crush. Seven years in which she’d not seen him, other than in the family pics Dani occasionally posted on Facebook. And Lexie absolutely did not scan each with microscopic care in case he featured in the background somewhere. But Fantasy Luke still made the occasional appearance in her dreams. She’d tried to ban him, telling herself he wasn’t worth the brain space. Or the angst. She’d had enough of that when she was a teen. Because Lexie knew that even the greatest people have some kind of weakness. And Luke Marchetti’s weakness was women. Lots and lots of women. Bluntly put, he was a super mega slut who would never settle down. In reality, Mr. Perfect was Mr. Playboy.

And worse? To him she’d always been—and doubtless always would be—the shy New Zealand exchange student who’d stayed with his family for six months all those years ago. And while he’d been driven in his achievements even back then, he’d also driven right over the hearts of several pretty young things just during her time there. Too charming and successful for his—or anyone else’s—good. The number of ex-flirts must be in the thousands by now. He had no clue the impact that summer in Boston had had on her. As far as Lexie was concerned, he never would.

As she poured some juice into a glass, she heard a faint noise. “I’m

coming, Mr. Impatience!” she called to the dog. Honestly, the tiny thing had a huge attachment disorder, hating to be alone for even a second.

But then she heard another noise, far too big a thud for it to be Mango jumping off the bed. Fear crushed her lungs to quarter-size, making any kind of normal breathing impossible. She carefully put the glass on the counter. It was after 10:00 p.m. Not exactly time for visitors. She hadn’t left the front door open, had she? Surely she couldn’t have been that dumb? But she heard the thump again, and another. They were getting louder. Was someone in the flat?

Her heart thundering louder than a riled crowd at an All Blacks rugby game, Lexie went out into the hall.

Oh f—