Hidden Agenda by Rochelle Alers Page A

opened the shutters.
    Matt didn’t have to turn around to see Eve’s stunned expression. She still had not come to terms with their upcoming nuptials. He didn’t know why, but her reluctance to marry annoyed him. Did she see him as a monster? Or—did she see him as beneath her? Would she have preferred him to come with foreign-service credentials, like her ex-husband?
    Turning slowly, he noted her slightly tilted chin and her dark eyes filled with contempt and another emotion he couldn’t identify. His own eyes narrowed as a realization shook him to his very center. Eve Blackwell was spoiled and used to giving orders, not taking them.
    The boarding school she claimed was a prison without bars was one of the most exclusive in the northeast. And he knew enough about the private Harry Blackwell to glean the prominence of the Blackwells of Virginia and Connecticut.
    The Sterlings of Texas may not have had the progeny of the Blackwells, with their ties to politics and the foreign service, but on the other hand Matt’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had made names for themselves throughout the States with their knowledge of animal husbandry. His father, Clayton, had bred a milk cow that was resistant to most bovine diseases while yielding lean, tender beef.
    His anger spiraled. Eve Blackwell reminded him of another woman he once thought himself in love with and had offered marriage. She’d laughed in his face, saying she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life on a farm wearing flannel instead of silk and smelling offertilizer rather than imported perfume. It was the last time he had asked a woman to share his life—
until now
—even if it was only temporary.
    His sensual mouth, no longer hidden under a mustache, tightened. “Now that you’re up, get dressed and be ready to leave within the hour,” he ordered. “We have a lot of things to do
today
.”
    Eve frowned, confused. She stared at Matt as he stalked out of her bedroom, slamming the door behind him. What was wrong with him? What had she done or said to make him growl at her? And he had ordered, not asked, that she get dressed.
    Their so-called marriage was in trouble even before they exchanged vows. If Mateo Arroyo thought she was his chattel, then he was seriously mistaken. She had no intention of being ordered about; he would find out quickly, very quickly, how difficult his life would become.
    Matt’s hand halted filling a cup with strong Mexican coffee the moment he spied Eve approaching the table where he sat on the loggia with Alma. Without warning, his pulse quickened and his gaze narrowed. Seeing Eve Blackwell in the full light of day was astounding, and he was momentarily paralyzed as well as speechless. The startling effect of her dark beauty dazzled him once he finally rose to his feet.
    All of the gold in his eyes vanished, leaving them a deep verdant green. He smiled his approval.
The wait was worth it
.
    Eve was fully aware of the impact she had made on Matt. She’d washed her short hair, applied a styling gel and brushed the naturally curly strands off herforehead, molding them to her scalp and showing off the delicate bones that made up her exquisite face. Her subtly applied makeup, white linen, short sleeve blouse and tailored black linen slacks, her imported lizard-skin loafers and matching narrow belt around her slim waist, were all classic and elegant.
    Grasping her hands, he pulled her closer and pressed a kiss at the side of her mouth. “You look beautiful,” he said softly, but not softly enough. Alma had overheard the caressing compliment.
    Eve smiled, patting his lean, clean shaven jaw. “Thank you, Darling.” She permitted him to seat her. “Good morning, Alma.”
    Alma glanced down at the watch on her wrist. “
Buenas tardes. Cómo está?
”
    “
Muy bien, gracias
,” Eve replied quickly.
    “
Bueno
,” Matt complimented, pleased that Eve hadn’t hesitated to reply to Alma’s greeting in Spanish. “I