Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,48

claim him publicly.

"Be good, cara . Call me if you need anything." Before leaving,Jacksonhad kissed her with lazy thoroughness, mimicking the far more erotic kiss with which he'd woken her this morning.

For the first time, she was alone in her new home. She took the opportunity to call Maggie and schedule another session before thinking over the rest of her day.

Jacksonhad suggested she organize a small dinner party. Though their marriage was already public knowledge, politics dictated that certain people be told in a more private manner. In addition, in a couple of months, they would spend a week inLos Angeles, socializing with those who lived in the heart of the moviemaking world.

Having kept her ear to the ground, she had no problem preparing a list of invitees. By eleven, she had the wheels rolling and was beginning to feel a little more settled. This was work, she realized. Very delicate work.

Jacksonneeded these people to be willing to cooperate with him. Bonnie had antagonized a large number of them and the fallout had hit the beautiful manTaylorhad married. When the papers had ripped into him, not many in the business had come forward to defend him, still smarting from their brushes with his wife, and the coldnessJacksonhad cultivated to survive her.

By the end of the day, she was wearing a satisfied smile, sure of her ability to be the partnerJackson needed. Flush with newfound confidence, she was waiting impatiently at the top of the driveway when her men arrived home - her brother had stayed late to try out for soccer.

"So?" she asked Nick as soon as he got out of the car.

He smiled slowly. "They want me to be goalie. The coach said I had quick hands."

Excited for him, she hugged his thin frame. "Well done. Now get in there and shower, you muddy hooligan."

After he'd run off, she turned toJackson. "I'm glad you talked me into letting him try out." When Nick had asked her to sign the permission slip, her instinct had been to refuse. What if he was hurt? Then she'd glanced atJacksonand the look in his eyes had made her change her mind.

"I'm glad I talked you into marrying me."

The unexpected response made her very pleased with her Italian husband. She smiled, stood on her tiptoes, and leisurely kissed him. He deserved it.

A flashbulb went off.
Chapter 10
Startled, she jerked back.Jacksonimmediately shielded her with his body. But, before he could speak, she made a judgment call and moved around him. Though she hadn't wanted to be in his world, she now was and had to learn to deal with the repercussions.

"Hello." She smiled at the defiant man in front of them, wondering how he'd evaded the fence alarms.

"Are you going to use that kissing picture?"

"Yes." He held his camera protectively, obviously aware that he was trespassing.

"I'd rather you didn't." Because paparazzi weren't known for their kindness, she asked, "How about a deal?" Feeling her husband's rising temper, she surreptitiously dug her elbow into his rock-hard stomach.

"What're you offering then?" The photographer's accent was distinctly British.

"We cooperate with you for photos and give you a quote. It would be an exclusive on our marriage."

He looked atJackson. "Good deal if you stick to it."

"You have to surrender that whole roll of film."

"Don't you trust me?"

"Not as far as I can throw you," she said cheerfully.

He handed her the film, a wary look in his eye. "Do you want your husband looking like a murderer in thepics ?"

"Give us a moment." She turned and forcedJacksonto come with her until they were out of earshot.

He looked furious. "What the hell are you doing bargaining with that vulture?"

She could see hurt in his eyes. These people had turned his pain into a spectator sport and here she was, consorting with them. She touched his arm. "Whether we cooperate or not, they'll get pictures. This way, we have some control over the first impression people have of us."

"Manipulate the media? Dangerous game." Yet, there was a spark of interest in his enigmatic eyes.

"The truthis, your status in the business means we have to exist in the limelight at times. We can fight the press and lose, or we can use them to our advantage."

"What do you suggest I do?"

The fact that he was taking her lead made her glow. Unbidden, she recalled her conclusion that her wild husband could be gentled, if not fought. She leaned up and straightened the collar of his black shirt. "You look gorgeous -