Our Little Secret Rachael Stewart (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📖

be the elusive brother. The elusive, seriously sexy, older brother.

The one who’s string of conquests Dani has often bemoaned to me. And last night it was my lips he’d been exercising that well-practised skill over... A sigh works its way up my throat, my head leaning off to the side as my lips softly curl.

‘Faye!’

Oh, God.

‘Sorry.’ I straighten sharply, blinking away the image of him naked, and clear my throat. ‘Your mother?’

I frown as I take in the sight of Dani up close. She’s frazzled. Her glossy black hair is tied back but sticking out at all angles and her face is devoid of make-up—very un-Dani. ‘What’s wrong?’

She shakes her head and scans the deserted room. There’s only one discreet staff member on hand at the breakfast bar; the room is ours.

‘I had a ranting text message from her, something about her bedroom being too tucked away, and then some comment about the size of her bed and having no man to fill it.’

She steals my coffee cup and takes a big gulp. ‘Sorry, babe, hope you don’t mind. I need the caffeine, or a mimosa might be more apt. I mean, this is my wedding week, right? I can drink this early if I want to!’

It all comes out in a frantic rush and I stand, taking the cup from her and placing it on the table, before holding her arms and forcing her to face me. ‘Breathe, honey. I will sort you out a mimosa.’

She gives me a weak smile. ‘You will?’

‘Yes. And I’ll go and find out what’s troubling your mother. You need to go back the way you came and cosy up with that gorgeous hubby-to-be. Leave the niggly things to me.’

‘Niggly? She’s more a giant pain in the—’

‘Dani.’

She gives me a cute little pout. ‘You sure?’

‘It’s what I’m here for. Now, go. I’ll see you get some drinks sent up to your room, pastries and all.’

Her eyes widen. ‘No, no pastries, not until after the wedding day; there isn’t a millimetre to spare in that dress.’

I roll my eyes. ‘You’re crazy! Excitement alone will burn through all that excess.’

Not to mention the super-loud extra-curricular activity too...

‘Rafael will help you.’

I start at her mention of his name, hot off the back of my extra-curricular thoughts.

‘He’s the fixer,’ she adds. ‘He sorts everything.’

Rafael, the fixer. Oh, yes, I imagine there are lots of things he could fix, my sex drought included. My insides spin as my cheeks flood with so much heat I swear I look sunburned.

‘You okay, Faye?’ She squints up at me. ‘You look like you’re having a hot flush.’

A hot flush...and then some. Thanks to the aforementioned fixer, my body is in overdrive, seeking out gratification for the heat he’s sparked. To feel that thrill again after so many years... Hell, who am I kidding? I’ve never felt a thrill that intense. I could blame it on my extended celibacy, only... I conjure up the fire in his eyes, the cut to his jaw, those lips... God, those lips.

‘Faye?’ She waves a hand in front of my face.

‘It is warm, isn’t it?’ I rush out, faking a smile. ‘So, you were saying, your brother...?’

She’s still squinting at me and I pretend not to notice.

‘Yeah...he’s around here somewhere, not that I can find him. Maybe he’s wandering the grounds...’ And then her eyes narrow even more. ‘Speaking of wandering, where did you disappear to in the middle of the night?’

My brows twitch up, my pulse too. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I heard you come back in the early hours. At least, I think it was your room. Yours is the closest.’

And it’s too close, much too close.

‘I couldn’t sleep. I went for a stroll to get some air and wind down...’

‘Sounds perfect.’

It was. Too perfect. And so wrong.

‘Well, if you see him, get him to lend a hand, won’t you? You really shouldn’t face one of my mother’s moods alone and, though he looks scary, he’s actually a doll.’

I laugh now, wholeheartedly. ‘A doll?’

‘Oh, yeah, totally. A heart of gold but a front that would send you running.’

‘Right, okay.’ I nod, letting this new version of the Italian god sink in. ‘Serious. Severe. Doll-like. I won’t be able to miss him.’

‘You won’t.’ She gives a little grimace. ‘But don’t fall for his charm either.’

I nod slowly, my smile too amused to hide. ‘Right, so he’s now serious, severe, doll-like but a total charmer. He’s quite the enigma.’

Dani gives me a wry smile. ‘Don’t tease. You know exactly what I mean, and consider yourself fully warned on that front.’

‘On what front?’ Maybe I shouldn’t play dumb, but right now I’m remembering just how susceptible I am to his particular brand of charm. And that was before he said much at all.

‘The whole charming the pants off any female he takes a fleeting fancy to.’

‘Oh, yes, that little trick.’ Only, last night I wasn’t wearing any pants to charm off...and neither was he. I swallow. ‘Consider me warned.’

‘Good, and anyway, Dante arrives today...’ Her smile is full of mischief now. ‘I have high hopes that my cousin will come to your aid no problem.’

‘Oh, God, Dani!’ I lower my voice as the eyes of the solitary staff member flick our way. ‘My sex drought isn’t your problem.’

‘No, but I would like to see it taken care of, and Dante is perfect hot fling material.’ She gives me a wink and a little nudge in the ribs. ‘It’s about time you put that hot bod to good use again.’

‘Dani.’

She laughs properly now, her eyes alive, her stress of seconds before momentarily gone. ‘Hey, I’m just looking out for my bestie. You have a week off work, a week to remember just how fun life can be if you relax a little, enjoy yourself... And, if my cousin can help with that, I’m all for it.’

‘I’m so glad you feel your wedding is a chance for me to get laid again.’

‘Well, what can I say?’ She plants her palm against