Seducing His Enemy's Daughter

Ella started. ‘Your gift?’

‘Your sister didn’t tell you?’

Ella shook her head, her gaze going to the beautiful jewellery that even in this dim light managed to sparkle.

‘I thought it was a copy. I had no idea!’ She made to yank the armband off.

‘Don’t!’ he barked. ‘Leave it.’ He drew himself up to his full height and she felt tension radiate off him, making her skin prickle. ‘Think of it as a parting gift. An apology for the way I duped you. It was reprehensible of me.’ He turned away, but the sight of him leaving broke her resolve.

‘Wait! You can’t just go like that.’ Her fingers itched to reach for him but she forced her hands to her sides.

‘Why not? You don’t want me here.’ There was something in his voice she couldn’t identify. His profile was stony, his jaw tight, yet his words made her wonder.

Was she brave enough to find out?

‘Donato.’ She stepped closer, her breathing almost non-existent, her stomach churning. ‘Tell me the truth. Why did you come?’

He tilted his head back, looking up at the darkening sky as if seeking guidance. When he swung his face towards her he’d lost that masked look. His expression was passionately alive, eyes gleaming and mouth twisted with pain.

Ella stared, shocked.

‘To see you.’

‘To apologise?’ Donato took duty seriously. He’d used her and knew she deserved an apology. Stupidly her heart shrank at the idea of her being no more than a duty to be ticked off his list.

‘That too. I should be on my knees grovelling, shouldn’t I?’

‘That too?’ What else could there be? Her eyes grew rounder as he paced close, filling her vision.

‘I came because I had to know how you feel about me.’ He stopped and cleared his throat. His nostrils dilated as he dragged in a deep breath and it struck her he looked almost nervous. She must be projecting her own feelings.

‘Everything is different without you. I can’t—’ He rubbed has hand across the back of his neck in a gesture of unease she’d seen him use only once before.

The butterflies in her belly became seagulls, whirling and swooping.

‘What can’t you do, Donato?’ She clasped her hands tight together, barely noticing them tremble.

‘I can’t settle. I can’t work.’ With one more stride he was before her, taking her hands in his. They felt big and warm and tantalisingly familiar. An ache started up in the back of her throat and Ella told herself not to be foolish, but she couldn’t help it. Hope was a tiny flame deep inside.

‘I want you back, Ella. I need you.’ He planted her palm on his chest, his own hand covering it, pressing it down so she felt the quickened thud of his heart.

‘I know you’ve no reason to want me after I destroyed your father and lied to you. I know you’re going to send me away.’ He paused and she saw his Adam’s apple bob above his suave bow tie. ‘But I had to be absolutely certain because I love you. And if there’s one thing I know it’s that love, true love, is a rare and precious thing. It shouldn’t be ignored.’

Dumbfounded, Ella stared up into a face ravaged by emotion. The strong man she knew looked...unravelled.

‘You can’t love me.’ It was a whisper of disbelief and awe.

The laugh that jerked out of him held no humour. ‘Of course I can. Though I understand you hating me or believing a man like me can’t love.’ A frown ploughed his brow.

‘A man like you?’ She shook her head, still stuck on the word love. He loved her? Was it possible?

‘A criminal. A man whose mother sold herself for money. Who grew up in places that would horrify you. Who—’

Ella’s hand on his mouth stopped the dreadful words. His lips felt tantalisingly familiar on her sensitive palm. Slowly she pulled her hand away.

‘Don’t say such things. That’s not who you are.’ Her lungs felt too tight, clamped by unseen bands. ‘It’s not your past that defines you, Donato. You’ve made yourself the man you are today. You’re respected and admired. You’re generous and hardworking. And if it wasn’t love you felt for your mother, I don’t know what love is.’

It still broke her heart, thinking of him as a child, separated from his mother and running away to find her, again and again.

She blinked up into indigo eyes that shone with unabashed emotion. This close to him she felt the tremors running through his tall frame and the racing thud of his heart under her other hand.