He flashed a gorgeous smile at hearing my words and it made my belly take a little dive. “So nice to hear, because I very much want your good opinion, Gabrielle, after the disastrous start we had. I hope you really believe that about me.”

“I do. Other than kidnapping me from Ethan and Brynne’s wedding, you’ve been an excellent host this time around, and you do feed me so very well.” Sarcasm was easy with him, and he seemed to like it from me.

“I am giving it my best, but should I be worried about the fact your dad is a MetPol chief?”

I couldn’t resist nodding. “I would be if I were you. I mean… kidnapping the chief superintendent’s daughter can’t be twisted into a good story no matter how you try.”

“Are you going to tell him?” he asked cautiously. It dawned on me he might actually be worried about my dad. I could have kept on goading and made him really squirm, but I didn’t want to. It was because Ivan “kidnapping” me to bring me back to Donadea had been the absolute right thing to do.

“Probably not,” I said coyly, “if you continue to be nice to your incarcerated guest, that is.”

He laughed and stared at my mouth, the desire between us sparking to life all in an instant. I wanted him again. “Where have you been hiding, Miss Hargreave? I so needed to find you a long time ago,” he said wistfully, “and I promise to be very nice to you for as long as you stay.”

I gulped. London. I’ve been hiding in London. “I’ve been right out in the open actually, just working and going to school,” I said with a smile.

To give him the truthful answer to his question was too painful. There was no way I could share with him yet. Maybe in time I’d be brave enough and find my courage.

That is, if this weekend evolved into anything further between Ivan and me after it was over.

Chapter 5

IVAN

“So, are you finished eating and ready for the next stop on this tour?” I indicated to her luncheon plate.

“I am finished, but I bet my tour the night we met at the Mallerton Gala was better than whatever you have for me,” she teased with a tempting little grin, managing to find a joke in my words and make me hard at the same time. She was so quick with her mouth.

Which just led to thoughts of some really filthy things we could do with her pretty mouth. And she would—later. “Without a doubt, your tour wins, but I really do want to introduce you to my friends, and I think you’ll like each other a great deal.”

She made a shocked face. “You have friends?”

Very, very few that I can trust. “That’s it. On your feet, Miss Hargreave, or I’ll be throwing you over my shoulder again.”

She got up from the table and came over, snaking her arms around to my back and hugged me. It was a surprise, and yet it wasn’t. Gabrielle was so unpredictable, but it was one of the most refreshing things about her.