Kiss of Temptation: The Kavanaugh Foundation, Book 3 by Crista McHugh

down.”
    “And you don’t know what Colette is capable of doing.”
    The image of the fireball at Gare de Lyon replayed in her mind. Could Colette have survived the explosion? “If she’s still even a threat.”
    “Daniela, be reasonable. There’s no need to put yourself in any unnecessary danger.”
    Morwen practically sang the words in a hypnotic melody, and a warm hum vibrated up Daniela’s arm from the phone.
    She threw it down on the floor. How dare Morwen try to cast a spell on her? “I’m done,” she said from her seat and hit the end button with her foot.
    She pulled her knees up to her chest and wiped her eyes. They were all the same, no different than her parents. All ready to abandon her once they were finished using her. She was a fool to think Luc would be different.
    And yet, some part of her wounded heart secretly hoped he was. The deep ache in her chest continued to throb, even after her flight left for Copenhagen.
     
     
    The full moon illuminated the marble veranda, making it easy for Luc to spot Daniela on the other end. Her flowing stola danced in the salty sea breeze. The scene struck him as odd, like she belonged in a Roman fresco, but his arms still longed to hold her.
    Her eyes widened when she saw him. “What are you doing here?”
    “I had to see you again, to explain my side of the story.” He pulled her into an embrace, but she wriggled away from him, leaving him alone and cold.
    “You could be killed for what you did. I could order you executed.”
    He froze when she narrowed her eyes. Would she be so cruel?
    Then her angry expression faltered and she turned away. “Please leave before they catch you. I don’t know if I will be able to save you again.”
    “I never meant to deceive you.” This time, she didn’t pull away when he wrapped his arms around her. The soft silk of her stola contrasted with the rough, homespun fabric scratching his skin. “Petrus ordered me to pose as him and report my findings.”
    “So he could have a laugh at my expense?” A splash of wetness on his shoulder followed her bitter words. “He must have thought it was hilarious to have a Senator’s daughter fall in love with a slave.”
    Something squeezed so tightly in his chest, he couldn’t breathe. “So you really do love me?”
    She shoved him away and retreated to the darker end of the veranda. “If you continue to mock me, I will call for my father’s guards.”
    “I’m not mocking you,” he said as he chased after her. “I just find it amazing that someone like you could ever love someone like me.”
    “That’s beside the point. Nothing can ever come of this. I’m promised to your master.” She turned and raked her gaze over him, her brows knitting together while the corners of her mouth angled down. “And you’re a runaway slave now. It’s only a matter of time before they catch you. You should leave.”
    “Not without you.” When she tried to interrupt him, he placed his finger over her full lips. He was so tempted to taste them once again, but first, he needed to tell her the reason he snuck into her father’s villa tonight. “I have a friend in Herculaneum that’s willing to lend me a boat. Meet me there tomorrow morning before dawn. We can go anywhere in the Empire, start fresh. Together, just the two of us.”
    She shook her head. “You’re asking me to give up everything to be with you. How will we eat? Where will we sleep?”
    “I’m a hard worker. I’ll provide for your every need. As long as we love each other, that should be enough.”
    She sighed and stared out at the glittering sea that stretched for miles to the east. Her silence troubled him. He’d expected her to say yes, to follow her heart instead of remaining trapped in the gilded cage she’d complained so much about during their time alone. Apparently, the cage seemed more appealing to her than a simple life with him.
    He hung his head and backed away from her. Bitterness seeped from his