[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

disapproving frown or even a challenging hitch of one brow. For the first time ever, Reid Andrews
was utterly unreadable.
 Why?
 Because you refused to take my calls, and I know you re too honorable to back out of a date that
some poor schmuck has shelled out an exorbitant amount of money for.
Averting her eyes she said,  So this is all fun and games to you. That s comforting.
 Hell, no, this isn t a game. With the tips of his fingers he brought her face front and center.  I had
to see you. Damn, I ve missed you, sweetheart.
Air. She needed air.
Spinning on her heel she weaved an erratic path through the dancing couples to where she knew
French doors opened onto a large patio and manicured gardens. Lucie expected he d follow her, but
she didn t care so long as she got away from the crowd and their prying eyes. She refused to break
down in front of her colleagues and their guests.
Pushing through the doors she inhaled the bouquet of floral scents deep into her lungs before letting
it out as she crossed to the large three-tiered fountain at the entrance to the gardens. Crossing her arms
over her middle she held tight as though she could prevent losing herself to her own emotions.
She heard the gravel crunch under his shoes as he came to stand behind her, but he remained silent
as she watched the water cascade in front of her. When he finally spoke, his low voice coiled around
her body, adding strength to her embrace, easing some of her tension.  That dress looks stunning on
you. You re the most magnificent woman I ve ever laid eyes on.
Lucie said nothing. She couldn t even if she d wanted to. Her throat was locked up tight. She heard
a slight scratching sound, like sandpaper, and pictured him rubbing his jawline.
 I regained my belt. I beat Diaz.
 I know, she said softly.
No matter how many times she told herself she wouldn t watch his fight, she d known anything
short of nuclear war wouldn t prevent her from seeing it. Sitting on her couch with her knees drawn
into her chest and her teeth gnawing the hell out of her lip, Lucie had observed every excruciating
moment. Of course it d been too much to ask for a quick bout. No, she d been subjected to almost
three full rounds of watching Reid take blows and kicks to his head and body that looked like they
could take down a gorilla. Thankfully, he gave just as good as he got, and in the third round he
managed to knock out his opponent with a spectacular head kick.
She d never been so relieved in her life. Or so proud.
Stop daydreaming and say something, damn you. She cleared her throat and said what she
supposed was the logical response.  Congratulations. You re once again the champion& just as you
wanted all along.
 Not all along. A finger trailed lightly from her shoulder to elbow in excruciating slowness.  My
goals and ambitions have changed considerably since I walked into your office that day.
She shook her head. That s not what he claimed a month ago when she opened herself up to him
more than she d done with anyone else.
 Lucie, I retired after my fight.
She spun around and stared at him with wide eyes.  Why would you do that? You won.
 It didn t matter if I won or lost. I made the decision to retire before the fight, no matter the
outcome.
 But, she stammered,  what will you do?
 There s more I can do with my life besides fighting. I was thinking I could move back here and try
something else. Maybe pursue my sculpting, or buy hideous argyle clothing and take up golf. I don t
care what I do, as long as I m with you.
She was shaking her head before he even finished.  No. That s what you say now, but eventually
you re going to feel that itch, that need, and at your age, if you re out of the circuit it s going to be so
hard to get back in. You can t quit because of me, Reid. You can t put that kind of pressure on me.
 Whoa, slow down, sweetheart, he said, grasping her firmly by her shoulders and making sure he
had her full attention before starting again.  I m not quitting, I m retiring. And I m not doing it because
of you. I m doing it for me.
 I don t understand. You love to fight.
Reid took her hands in his, bringing them between them, rubbing his thumbs over the backs of her
fingers.  Remember when I told you that I d always love the sport, but wouldn t always love being in
it?
 Yes. You said it after dinner that night.
 That s what this is. My heart s just not in it anymore.
His eyes searched hers as though hoping to see that she understood, but she wasn t sure she did. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]