An Inconvenient Desire

by Alexia Adams

  This was it. She’d finally snapped. Her brain had imploded from worry and boredom, and as a result she was fantasizing about marriage proposals and being swept away to live in a castle in Italy. At this point she should reach into her pocket and pull out the other glass slipper. Except the only thing in her pocket was lint. And the only romance in her life was in the books she read. Maybe Luca was the one having a meltdown? She searched his face for some sign of insanity.

  He looked serious. The contents of her stomach shifted. The man had actually just proposed to her. “Mr. Castellioni, I’m sure there’s a long line of suitable women who would love to marry you. We only met yesterday. And as I told you at the party, I’m just a receptionist.”

  “You called me Luca last evening. What has changed?”

  Aside from one of them going completely insane? Him for proposing … or her for actually considering it and not walking away.

  “Last night was for show, to help Mr. Wilkins. This is … ”

  “This is between us. I can assure you there is no other woman I would consider marrying. I realize it may seem absurd to speak of marriage when we have recently met. You said last night you were alone. Did I misunderstand? Are you in a relationship?”

  “No, no, I’m not involved with anyone. But that doesn’t mean I am going to run off and marry the first man who asks me,” she replied. Even if he is incredibly gorgeous. What kind of man offers marriage to a complete stranger? One who considered marriage a business arrangement, obviously. Could I do the same?

  “You do not have to give me an answer now. Have dinner with me tonight, and we can get to know each other. I would appreciate, though, if you would keep this discussion between us.” He leaned forward again and there was an intensity in his dark eyes but a warmth, too, a banked passion that both unsettled and intrigued her.

  Dazed, she agreed to meet him again at Quaglino’s. Sophia didn’t even ask how he had managed to get a table at a restaurant that was usually booked a month in advance. She was sure if he just showed up, the maître d’ would lose someone else’s reservation in order to accommodate him. If he expected her to bow to his every desire he was in for a shock. Sophia Stevens was no man’s doormat. But she wasn’t about to reject him without discovering exactly what he wanted.

  And what she could get out of the deal.

  To purchase this ebook and learn more about the author, click here.

  Also by Alexia Adams:

  Singapore Fling

  Praise for Singapore Fling:

  "For a fun and sexy romance with a reunion and fling that turns into real romance, don’t miss Singapore Fling by Alexia Adams."—Harlequin Junkie

  In the mood for more Crimson Romance?

  Check out Unmasking Love by Peggy Bird at CrimsonRomance.com.