Excerpt of Blackmailed Bride, Inexperienced Wife by Annie West

He breathed deep, suppressing a lifetime's hatred.
This woman was everything he despised. Shallow, conniving,
spoiled. She'd grown up with every advantage money could
buy
yet she'd squandered her opportunities, turning instead to
drugs, drink and wild parties. Till even her grandfather
would have nothing to do with her.
Dario should feel nothing but contempt for her. And yet...
Her pale, pure skin, her wide-open cornflower eyes, her
plump bow of a mouth, the voluptuous curves on that tiny
figure...even her air of barely-suppressed energy, comprised
a feminine package that was far too alluring.
It infuriated him. It was not-supposed-to-happen. And
things which were not-supposed-to-happen had a way of
disappearing silently out of his life: bought off,
frightened off or simply banished by his superior power and
strength of will. Dario had worked hard for what he had. He
had no patience with things or people, or feelings, that did
not comply with his plans.
'What I have to say isn't for public consumption.'
He punched down irritation at her contrary attitude in
refusing to accompany him. What had he expected? Her
previous actions, having her lawyer reject his more than
generous offers out of hand, illustrated her selfish
obstinacy.
He drew a breath through his nose, trying to block the
rich scent of lilies and damp woman that played havoc with
his concentration.
'Come. Let us find a better place for this
conversation.'
He'd be damned if he discussed matters of such importance
in
an echoing public foyer. She might have few scruples but he
had more respect for himself than that.
He stalked across the vestibule and found an empty office.
He held the door and waited for her to precede him.
His gaze strayed down over her compact, curvaceous figure
as she entered, the sway of her pert bottom in the tight
skirt. Even in a rain-stained suit, with saturated hair, her
complexion milky with shock, she drew his unwilling gaze.
Despite those top class legs, reason dictated she wasn't
his type. Pocket Venus red-heads with attitude and tarnished
reputations weren't his style. Give him a brunette with a
Madonna smile and a docile nature any day.
Unfortunately the voice of reason stayed silent on this
occasion.
'What is this place?' She stared at the desk before
them.
'Are we allowed in here?'
He shrugged and closed the door. 'We are here. And we
have
privacy. That's all that matters.'
Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth as if to argue
then clearly thought better of it.
Good. Things would proceed more easily when she learned to
accede to his wishes. A shaft of pleasurable anticipation
warmed his belly at the thought.
'Your bridegroom -'
'What happened to Jason? Have you seen him?' No
mistaking
the concern in her voice. He catalogued the fact for later
consideration. Perhaps after all, their wedding hadn't been
purely a convenient arrangement. Perhaps lust as well as
greed had been a factor in her marriage plans.
He remembered Jason Donnelly's weak, handsome face - good
looks but no substance. Was he the sort of man that
attracted her? The idea was strangely disquieting. He had no
interest in this woman's weaknesses, except insofar as he
could exploit them to his advantage.
'I saw him this afternoon.'
'Is he all right? What happened?'
Dario felt a stirring of pleasure, remembering the ease
with which this afternoon's interview had followed the map
he'd laid out for it.
'Nothing happened. Your Mr Donnelly is perfectly well,
though he is no longer your Mr Donnelly.'
Her brow puckered in a frown and Dario wondered if he'd
let his satisfaction show. What did it matter if he had?
There was nothing she could do about it. He held all the
cards. No matter how much she protested, she'd find the
only
way forward was his way. After all the trouble she'd caused
the knowledge pleased him.
'I don't understand.'
'He has decided he no longer wishes to marry you.'
'But why? And why not tell me himself? Why send a
stranger?'
'He didn't send me. I chose to come.'
Her eyes widened as she met his gaze. Then she sagged back
against the desk, shaking her head.
'Look, can't you just tell me? What's going on?'
'Mr Donnelly had a better offer. An offer he found it
impossible to refuse. As a result he changed his mind about
marriage.' Dario had made absolutely sure of that.
'An offer of what? Not marriage!'
Dario paced further into the room to stand before her, his
feet planted wide, his hands finding his pockets as he
enjoyed this moment of triumphant satisfaction.
'An offer of money, of course. That's the language the
two
of you understand best.' He watched her pupils dilate,
darkening her eyes. Her jaw sagged to reveal even white
teeth and a glimpse of moist pink tongue.
Dario frowned. It was impossible that any woman should
look sexy while gawping in disbelief, but somehow Alissa
Mangano...no, Alissa Scott, managed it. That mouth was ripe,
luscious, inviting. He felt a tingle of awareness, a
tightening of his muscles as his gaze zeroed in on the
dainty curl of her tongue circling her lips.
He set his jaw. Lust for this woman was not on his agenda.
His standards were higher than that.
'Money to do what?' She stood straight now, her
momentary
weakness sloughed. She stuck her hands on her hips, a
picture of demanding femininity. Her neat chin jutted
belligerently. 'And who made him this offer?'
Dario permitted himself a small, satisfied smile. 'I did.
I offered him enough cash to ensure he gave up all thoughts
of marrying you.'
It had been ludicrously easy. If Donnelly and this woman
were lovers, there was no loyalty between them. Donnelly had
jumped at the chance of cash in hand with no thought for the
woman he'd jilt. It had been Dario who suggested he leave a
message at the registry office.
Colour flagged her cheeks and her eyes sparked, giving her
a vibrancy that had been missing before. A vibrancy that
only enhanced her looks.
'Why would you do that?' She took a step closer as if
to
get a better look at him, staring straight into his eyes.
Despite himself, Dario was impressed that she wasn't
daunted
as so many people were in his presence.
But then she didn't yet know who he was.
He shrugged and spread his hands. 'Because he was in the
way.' And Dario had no patience for obstacles in his path.
'Because you will be marrying me instead.'