Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2 (3 page)

The sight stopped him dead in his tracks.
 

Bathed in glimmering sunlight, Eve was mesmerizing. Not because of her beauty, even though she was breathtaking, but because of the pure joy that swelled in his chest at the mere sight of her.

Colin often recalled that her hair possessed the shimmer of spun gold. Today, he noted darker highlights the color of warm honey accentuating her wavy locks. His lips curled into a smile. It was such a slight change but enough to seize his very breath.
 

Eve must have heard him enter for she turned, her eyes scrutinizing him. Certain that she would see through his façade, he squeezed the knob tighter in an effort to compose himself then did what he knew would protect his image – met her intense inspection with his own.

Several stray tendrils framed her face, and what a divine face it was. Her creamy complexion was enhanced by cheeks the hue of the pale pink petals that adorned her hair while her heart-shaped lips were fuller than he remembered, forming a beguiling pout. He longed to discover if it was intentional or instinctive. Colin sensed the latter and found the prospect utterly enchanting.

Her eyes locked with his, and a flash of excitement surged through him as he stared into the depths of eyes the hue of two flawless emeralds glinting with mischievous sparks.

Colin bowed before crossing the room in several swift strides. He then took Eve’s gloved hand in his, noting her sharp intake of breath. Did Eve feel the impact of that gesture? Did she experience the same surge of excitement that sent shock waves throughout his body? She must have. Colin was certain of it as he kissed the soft fabric then held her hand several moments longer than proper, rubbing it idly with his thumb.
 

Not certain of what to say or where to begin, he enunciated the first thought that came to his mind. “It is good to see you, Eve.”

Never before in the history of civilization has such an understatement been uttered.

The corners of Eve’s lips curled into an alluring smile as she withdrew her hand from his grasp. She then began to unbutton her gloves, gracefully tugging one finger at a time.
 

A sudden urge to reach for her hand surged within Colin, his fingers itching to feel the softness of her bare flesh. He was certain that she would feel like heaven as a sharp and unexpected pain radiated from his cheek.
 

“Ouch!” He stumbled backwards, realizing too late that Eve had slapped him.

Not quite the heaven he had envisioned nor the reaction he had hoped to receive.

“What in bloody hell was that for?” he demanded, rubbing his cheek, which was now throbbing from the force of the impact.
 

Her eyes flashed with fury. “That was for lying to me,” Eve pointed her finger at him, wagging it with each word. “That was for promising to return to me when you never had any intention of doing so.”
 

“I did plan to return,” his response sounded unconvincing, even to his ears. He searched her jade eyes for a sign, any glimmer of hope that she believed him to be sincere. Her scorching stare was proof that she remained unconvinced. “I did return to you. I’m here.” He winked at her, offering a dazzling smile.
 

In response, she folded her arms across her chest, drawing attention to the creamy flesh above her bodice. Her gown accentuated all of her luscious curves he noted, as a wave of desire surged within him.
 

“Your charm won’t work on me,” Eve grinned.

Hers was most definitely working on him. Colin shook his head in an attempt to gather his wits. “I’m sorry,” his voice was unusually raspy. “You were saying?

“Where did I leave off?” Eve turned then paced the length of the room, her hips swaying to and fro, her petite waist accentuated by full skirts that rustled with each step. Colin suspected that this was a deliberate action meant to torture him by drawing his attention to her divine figure.

Her attempt was successful.

“Oh, yes, now I remember!” She said, rounding on him with force. “You are a liar. If you planned to return, you would, at the very least, have sent word to me. Must I remind you that I am all too familiar with your missives, Mister MacAlistair, as you chose that cowardly form of communication to say
goodbye
?”

It was as if she slapped him for a second time. He deserved the scathing rebuff. Colin knew he did though the venom dripping from her every word stung him even more than her physical blow mere moments before.
 

Colin’s gaze held hers, and he noted just how drastically Eve’s expression had changed from the mischievous glint he had first observed. Her eyes were now alight with a combination of rage and abhorrence. The transformation sent a shock of alarm through his body.
 

Could she truly detest him so?
 

He expected anger, that he could manage. However, hatred was a powerful force – one in which Colin was well versed. He despised Lachlan MacAlistair beyond reason, and it was Colin’s rage that propelled him, his loathing that consumed him. Dark and dangerous, those emotions led him down a treacherous path.

No, he knew from first-hand experience that there was a fine line between rage and loathing. Once crossed, it was difficult to turn back. He must reach Eve before it was too late. It was Colin’s only consideration as he bridged the distance between them.
 

Eve’s chest began to rise and fall, her breathing labored as if in response to his close proximity. He reached for her waist, noting that the creamy flesh above her bosom swelled then … nothing. All motion ceased.
 

She held her breath, he realized.
 

His touch affected her. It was a fleeting gesture. One that she tried to disguise by pulling away from him then busying herself by placing her gloves in her reticule. But, such efforts were in vain. Colin had noticed her reaction, and he recognized the vulnerability hiding behind her incensed façade.
 

“I regret hurting you,” Colin’s tone was tender, meant to convey just how sincere his statement was.
 

She clucked her tongue, clearly unconvinced.

“I swear to you, I planned to return.” He paused before adding, “I never intended to hurt you.”

A throaty chuckle escaped Eve’s lips as she smoothed her skirts, drawing his attention to the colorful flowers embroidered on her pale pink silk. She traced one of the blooms with her patrician forefinger as she laughed louder.

Colin failed to understand what she found so amusing.
 

“It is the truth,” he assured her, wishing she would look at him. Instead, she turned towards the door.
 

Assessing her exit route, perhaps?
 

“You never intended to hurt me?” Eve met Colin’s gaze. Her terse jaw and accusatory tone conveyed that her question was more of a statement, so he chose to remain silent.
 

From the corner of his eye, Colin noticed a blur approaching and grabbed Eve’s hand seconds before impact. “What has gotten into you woman?” he demanded, crushing her against his length.
 

Eve writhed, her nails digging into his flesh as she attempted to free herself from his grip. “What did you think would happen when you vanished? And why, if you never meant to cause me pain, did you refuse to send word to me? Not one word. Not even a message to let me know you were alive.”
 

He pulled her closer, resting his chin against the crook of Eve’s neck. It was the closest he’d been to her in ages and he reveled in her nearness, her warmth, her scent. “Eve, please allow me to explain,” Colin pleaded.

Eve’s hair was the sweet fragrance of roses causing him to wonder if her intention when dressing was to fill his senses by resembling a rose in both sight and scent.

His fingertips traced a path up her spine, noting with a sense of satisfaction that when he reached the bare flesh of her neck, her skin quivered under his gentle touch. “Just allow me to explain—”

“It’s too late for explanations,” Eve insisted, shoving him away with more strength than he expected. The expression in her eyes conveyed that their proximity had unnerved her, as did her voice, which was now shaky. “I spent two years waiting and hoping. No, I dare say the time for explanations is long gone, Colin.”
 

Two years.
 

Her words hovered heavy in the air as his blood turned to ice. He’d been gone for three.
 

His intelligence warned him of her betrothal. For the first time, Colin wondered if he was too late.
 

Had Eve already wed?
 

Just when he thought himself immune, fear – that damned emotion he had grown to loathe – coiled within his abdomen, the knot tightening until he could barely breathe. Colin grabbed her hand, turning it over then studying her amber colored betrothal ring.
 

“You’re betrothed, not married,” he muttered, stating what he knew to be fact. His reports said nothing of a wedding and his source was reliable. Though he trusted his informant, panic caused Colin’s certainty to falter.
 

His plan to win Eve’s heart could only proceed if she were merely betrothed to someone else. At the very least, he would stand a chance.
 

When she failed to confirm or deny his statement, he continued, “Tell me if you are you married, Eve.”
 

 
“Not yet,” Eve answered as she yanked her hand free from his grasp then stepped away from him, creating several feet of distance between them.
 

The distance was good. Eve needed it. For whenever Colin was near, her traitorous body reacted in a rush of heat and an intensity that startled her.
 

Why did this man and his touch still affect her?

Well aware that her hastily arranged plan to show no emotion had gone straight to hell, Eve struggled to remember the rest of her plan for vengeance.
 

He means nothing to you
, she silently reminded herself.
He abandoned you. Make him suffer.
 

Why couldn’t she go through with it?
 

Could it be his sincere words and intense gaze? Or perhaps the reason stemmed from his drastic change in appearance. The man standing before her was not the same Colin MacAlistair that she remembered. No, this man exuded more power than she remembered. Like a shock to her system, his raw strength and unbridled masculinity jarred her.
 

Perhaps it was his bronze skin? She had never before seen him so tanned. Eve studied the stray lock of ebony hair that hung haphazardly above his brow, and for the first time she noted that it was peppered with a few opalescent strands. Her eyes roved his chiseled jaw and deep dimples, which were familiar though more exaggerated than before. Then there was the silver scar now deeply etched above his upper lip.
 

What happened to him?

In spite of his mysterious scar, Eve witnessed the most obvious transformation in his eyes. Still the cobalt of the ocean, they now held an intensity the likes of which she had never before witnessed and a haunted expression – one she couldn’t quite comprehend.

Eve’s attention was drawn to Colin’s broad shoulders and chest. His jacket and vest were made of the finest of linens, as were his ivory shirt and periwinkle silk cravat. In truth, he looked the part of a refined gentleman, but as she was well aware, looks could be deceiving.

Averting her eyes, Eve silently reminded herself that the man standing before her was the same man who had broken her heart.
 

Why the sudden urge to forestall her plan?
 

Could she be analyzing him in an attempt to rationalize his disappearance?

As if sensing her inner turmoil, Colin added, “I meant every word I said to you – then and now.”

His rich baritone brimmed with sincerity, causing Eve to remind herself just how proficient he had been at deceiving her. She refused to allow him to affect her so ever again, choosing instead to study him with icy reserve.
 

“If that is true, then why did you fail to return let alone contact me? Were you physically incapable of doing so? Were you ill, Colin? Were you imprisoned? Or is it as I suspect – that you could have communicated with me at any time in the past three years but chose not to. Not even when you returned to town.”

His expression was gentle, rich with understanding and – was it pity? Eve averted her eyes then took several steps away from Colin before studying a painting on the far wall. Her eyes roved the shades of light and shadow depicting a wooded landscape as a large lump formed in her throat. She swallowed hard against it, well aware that she was losing her hard-fought control as her anger alchemized into something much more damning … vulnerability. Clutching her reticule in a tight fist, she squeezed her eyes shut, silently despising herself for displaying such a weakness.

Colin’s tall frame bridged the gap between them in two panther-like strides. He then reached for her arm, gently turning her to face him before encircling her in a tight embrace.