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‘Why, bella, are you keeping tabs on me?’

‘It would be hard not to, considering how often you feature in the press—and please don’t call me bella’

‘All right Laurel’ He spoke quietly, with a sincerity she hadn’t heard before, his tone of voice low and heartfelt, affecting her in a way that his barely leashed looks had not That tone left her feeling unsteady Uncertain And, sha

‘Well?’ she demanded unsteadily ‘Why?’

‘Why do I want you?’

‘Yes’ She could hardly believe they were having this conversation Cristiano’s toneabout the weather

‘Why not?’ Cristian answered with a shrug

‘That’s it? “Why not”?’ She stared at hi on behind that inscrutable face, the negligent shrug of his powerful shoulders Was it simply that a woman was available, a woman who he obviously assumed made free with her body, so of whoht made her feel physically sick

‘You take issue with my response?’ he enquired

‘Yes You’re practically threatening me—’

‘There are no threats, Laurel’ Cristiano’s voice cut across her, quick, lethal and very, very sure ‘Nothing I have said or done is a threat And nothing will be’

She flung one arm towards the lift doors ‘And the locked doors?’

‘The last thing you want is for anyone to have free access to my flat’

‘Because of Bavasso?’

‘I believe you underestimate him Admittedly, he is able to turn on the charm when he wishes, but he can be a vicious man’