Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2 by Tracy Goodwin

flapping in the warm breeze. Judging by the number of elaborate place settings, the guest list was small.
    Of course, Colin would be attending since this gathering was being held in his honor. Eve’s heart beat at a maddening rate from the mere thought of seeing him again, the immediate response sending her temper flaring. Why did he unnerve her? Why did she care when and where, or even if she saw him?  
    She possessed no answers, just a sudden realization that she wanted to see him again. Yes, as sure as the lush green lawns and garden landscape stretching before her, Eve realized it to be true.  
    Squeezing her hands into tight fists, she allowed her fingernails to pierce her flesh. Pain was good. It was a reminder of how hard she fought to earn her independence.
    Eve refused to be duped again.
    Once certain that she had recovered from such foolishness, Eve massaged her sore palms then crossed the terrace before descending the grand stone staircase leading towards the gardens.  
    Male laughter resonated through the gentle summer breeze causing her to trip over her skirts —
    It was Colin’s laughter. She would recognize it anywhere. Instinctively, Eve turned towards the sound as her eyes scanned the gardens in search of him.
    “Wowie,” a young girl said from the direction of a large honeysuckle bush to Eve’s right.
    The heels of her slippers dug into the soft grass as Eve followed their harmonious voices.
    “You would like a flower, would you?” Colin asked, his tone light, “How about this one?”
    Eve rounded the honeysuckle bush in time to catch Colin holding his niece’s hand as he escorted her to a rose bush. The sight left her breathless.
    Dear God, why did this man affect her so?  
    Her traitorous inner voice answered that could have been yours. It was true. Eve imagined seeing Colin with their children more times than she could count. In each scenario, she anticipated that Colin would be the most loving of parents, compensating for his own uncaring father. Witnessing him play with his niece confirmed her belief, sending a pang of remorse pulsating through her body.  
    A surge of shame flooded Eve as she recalled their encounter mere hours before. How much courage must it have taken for Colin to confess his feelings for her, especially after she slapped the man?  
    Colin turned to his niece and offered her the white rose he had plucked though she refused to accept it.
    “No,” the little girl said, one hand placed firmly upon her hip. She pointed upwards with her free hand, toward Colin’s head.
    Intrigued, Eve crept closer, taking care to remain silent.
    “What?” Colin knelt in front of Emma, who pointed again, this time to his ear.  
    He turned and glanced over his shoulder as if searching for something then returned his attention to his niece. Shrugging his shoulders, he insisted in an animated tone, “I don’t see anything.”  
    The little girl reached for a yellow rosebud tucked behind Colin’s ear, pealing with laughter as she grabbed it.
    “Hey!” he smiled as he spoke. “I’ll have you know that a very special young lady gave that to me.”
    Emma put it back then leaned into him and gave him a sweet hug.
    “Oh, thank you,” Colin embraced his niece as she rested her cheek against his shoulder, the pink ribbons in her auburn curls swaying softly in the gentle breeze. He then began to tickle her as Emma’s laughter pealed through the tranquil air.
    A twig snapped beneath Eve’s slipper, and for a split second she actually considered running in the opposite direction – until Colin’s gaze locked with hers, the intensity in his indigo eyes all but transfixing her to that very spot. For one brief moment, the corners of his full lips curved into a grin as if he were happy to see her. The reaction was short-lived, though. Quick to recover, Colin exchanged the once familiar expression with one of polite civility.
    “I thought we were alone,” he said as he brushed a stray