To her surprise, the younger woman released a giggle and then—-
“He says he’s your long-lost husband, Ms. de Konigh.”
Anneke’s face turned red. Jaak burst into laughter, Nic even grinned, while Willem only raised a brow. “Quite an exaggeration,” the oldest of the de Konighs drawled, “considering the fact you’ve practically been living with him—-”
“I havenotbeen living with him,” Anneke muttered even as her face flamed hotter. What was Marcus thinking, for God’s sake? To Rachel, she said steadily, “Please escort him to my office—-”
“Escort who, Ms. de Konigh?” Rachel asked innocently.
“Him.”
Getting into the spirit of the game, Jaak asked wickedly, “You have to say the words, just so Rachel is clear on what you’re asking.”
“Marcus Ravelli, for heaven’s sake!”
“And he’s your—-” Jaak raised a quizzical brow.
“Oh, never mind!” Glowering at him, she muttered, “I’ll just take him myself.” Her brothers’ laughter followed Anneke as she stalked out of the room, but the moment she glimpsed Marcus waiting for her by the reception counter—-
Oh, crap.
Her bad mood disappeared in an instant, replaced instead by a chaotic mix that was now familiar in a bittersweet kind of way. There was pain and pleasure, fear and excitement, hate and...something else.
She watched his dark eyes burn the moment he realized she was there, and her heart started to thunder as he walked towards her.
“Ciao, bambina.”
“Ciao.”She wanted to sound casual, but the way her voice squeaked totally put an end to that, and when his lips twitched, she knew he knew what she really was feeling inside.
And it was desire.
White-hot in its intensity, its flames fanned by their every sexual encounter – and, oh there wasmore than oneevery time they met – her desire for him seemed to know no bounds. She only had to see him, and she would find herself literally craving for his touch.
And even with her brothers under the same roof, in the very same floor in fact – it made no difference.
Willing her body to stop trembling, she said unevenly, “I w-wasn’t expecting you.”
“I know.” Marcus’ tone was matter-of-fact. “But I missed you.”Translation: I want to fuck you. “Badly.”Now.
Anneke gulped.
Dark eyes glittering, he asked huskily, “Is there anywhere we can talk in private?”
She cleared her throat. “Umm, yes.” Her breasts began to swell behind her bra, her nipples started to pucker, and Anneke swung away clumsily, not wanting him to realize just how easily aroused she was. “Follow me, please.”
She tried to keep her pace steady even though she was tempted to make a run for it, and especially when she felt his gaze fall on her butt – and stay there.
Marcus, you jerk.
When they made it to her corner office, he insisted on opening the door, murmuring, “Ladies first.”
As she stepped past him, she caught a whiff of his oh-so-familiar scent—-
Big mistake.
Her knees knocked hard against each other, and she almost tripped over her own feet on her way in. Spinning around, she watched him close the door, willing herself to calm down. But when he turned to face her—-
It was no use.