Once in Paris by Diana Palmer Page A

protested.
    â€œMaybe I will,” he murmured. He was disturbed, and he looked it. He felt Margo’s loss keenly, still, and even to think of sleeping with another woman seemed like adultery. But Brianne was young and sweet and loving, and it wouldn’t be any hardship to give her what she wanted. On the other hand, she was painfully young and impressionable. If it hadn’t been for the specter of Philippe Sabon lurking somewhere in the shadows, he wouldn’t even be considering this harebrained proposition in the first place.
    â€œYou just hold your horses,” he said shortly. “Don’t lead with your head.”
    â€œAdvice, advice,” she muttered. “Why don’t you just back me up against a wall and give it your best?”
    He dropped her arm. “You incredible child!”
    â€œI’m not a child, thank you.”
    â€œYou’re outrageous,” he continued.
    â€œTotally. It comes from living among idiots.” She stared at him with quiet, soft eyes.“I’ll wear you down,” she promised. “Day by day.”
    He stared at her with mixed emotions. “Whatever happened to virginal terror?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’ll ask someone.”
    â€œAren’t you afraid of the first time?”
    â€œWith someone like you? Are you crazy?”
    He laughed in spite of himself. His eyes twinkled with humor. “All those expectations. I’m getting older. What if I can’t live up to your expectations?”
    â€œOh, but you can,” she said with solemnity. “You want to. You just think I’m too young. I’m not, you know. I grew up around people older than me, and I’ve always been more mature than my own age group.”
    â€œI’m not making you any promises,” he assured her. “I said I’d think about it.”
    She shrugged. “Take your time. No rush. But if that lobo wolf comes looking for me, I’m coming after you, and I don’t care what time it is.”
    â€œHow is he supposed to know, at your age, that you’re still virginal?” he asked reasonably.
    She glowered at him. “Because, unknown to me, Kurt had a private detective following me from the day I went off to school,” she muttered. “I was watched like a hawk, and two months ago Kurt demanded that I have a physical to make sure that I hadn’t caught some virus he said I’d been exposed to.” She shivered at the thought of what the doctor had done to her. “Part of the physical included a gynecological exam,” she added. “I had no idea that the doctor was going to do that, until I was in the examination room and the nurse had me on my back.” She let out a breath. “I yelled the place down, but the doctor had the information Kurt wanted.”
    â€œNo reputable doctor…” Pierce began furiously.
    â€œHe wasn’t a reputable doctor,” she returned. “He was barred from practice in the States and came down here to run some sort of clinic.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œI never connected it until Sabon started turning up at the house at all hours and watching me like a hawk.” She lifted her gaze to his hard face. “I’m not scared of much,” she said, “but that man gives me the shivering willies.”
    â€œDon’t feel bad. He has that effect on some men.”
    She lifted her eyebrows. “On you?”
    He chuckled. “I was a drill rigger for a couple of years.” He held out his big hands and showed her his knuckles, replete with tiny white scars.
    She pursed her lips. “Tough guy, huh?”
    â€œYes,” he said simply. “And I’m not afraid of much, either.”
    She searched his eyes. “What scares you?”
    He leaned close to her, so that his eyes filled the world. “Sex-crazed virgins,” he whispered.
    He looked and sounded so wicked that she burst into helpless laughter.