Читать книгу Modern Romance December 2019 Books 5-8 - Jane Porter - Страница 26

‘LUC—’ AS THE gondola started off she was thrown against him. Pressing her hands against his chest, she reminded him that they hadn’t even talked about the baby.

‘You’re well,’ he said, ‘and that’s all that matters.’

And then he closed off.

‘And those guests you couldn’t find to say goodnight to?’ she pressed, wanting some reaction from him.

‘I’ll see them at the airport tomorrow. Tonight is for you.’

For sex, she assumed. Not that she didn’t crave Luc’s body, but she wanted more from him. She had other concerns on her mind, notably an unborn child.

‘You’re taking a lot for granted,’ she observed, steadying herself on the hand rail.

‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I want to spend the night with you.’

Her pulse went crazy, but she had to accept that nothing had changed. How many times had they been together without Luc opening up? And she had to know the father of her child. They could be so close in so many ways, and complete strangers in others. He shut her out when she needed to be sure that Luc bore no resemblance to her own father. She couldn’t bear that. She wouldn’t bear it, and neither would her child. No infant should be shunned, and if Luc was incapable of expressing his feelings, then perhaps she should keep him at a distance. What was it in his past that had made him so insular? She was bad enough, but he was gold standard when it came to hiding his feelings. If she couldn’t find out tonight, what chance did she have?

‘We will talk?’ she pressed.

‘Of course we will,’ he promised.

‘When?’

‘Soon.’

‘Should I be satisfied with that?’

He raised a brow and smiled down, forcing her to realise that she had underestimated his devastating appeal. Luc only had to look at her a certain way for her scruples to vanish. ‘No, we can’t,’ she protested as he dragged her close.

‘Where does it say that in the rule book?’ he murmured. ‘You carry around a very heavy rule book, Señorita Winner, but it’s not one I care to read.’

‘Seriously, Lucas…’

‘I intend to be very serious indeed, as I’m dealing with an emergency situation.’

One more night with the man she loved. What could be wrong with that?

Everything, Stacey’s cautious inner voice suggested. You’ll miss him even more when he’s gone.

So be it, she concluded as Luc drove his mouth down on hers.

Arranging her to his liking, with her legs around his waist, he supported her with his big hands wrapped around her buttocks.

‘Are you sure I’m not too heavy?’

‘What do you think?’ he said, slowly sinking to the hilt.

She was thinking that she would never get used to this…to Luc wanting her, and to the feeling of completeness that gave her—or to the size of him. ‘What do I think?’ she asked on a gasp. ‘Take me gently.’

‘Gently?’ he queried as he drew back to plunge again.

‘The baby,’ she reminded him.

‘I can do gentle,’ he murmured, proving this in the most effective way. ‘Though you should know that babies are quite resilient.’

With a smile she shook her head. ‘You did your research on that too?’

‘Let’s find out,’ Luc suggested, and from that moment on he had her exclaiming rhythmically as she urged him on to take her repeatedly on the journey to the top station. It was long enough for several mind-shattering bouts of pleasure, and by the time they’d straightened their clothes and stepped out of the small cabin, she was committed to spending the rest of the night with Luc. Anything else would not only be wrong, it would be inconceivable. She wanted him too much to resist him. Pregnancy had made her mad for sex, and Luc was only too willing to help her with that.

They fell on each other the moment they entered his chalet. The inside of the front door proved a useful surface as he took her again, and while she was still whimpering in the aftershock of pleasure, he carried her over to the sofa in the living room and pressed her down. ‘Again!’ she demanded fiercely as he moved between her legs.

Luc gave her everything she needed and more, and it was only when she quietened that she thought to ask if they were alone.

‘If we weren’t to begin with, I imagine you’ve frightened everyone away by now with your screams.’

Balling her hands into fists, she pummelled him weakly. ‘That’s not funny, Lucas.’

‘Oh, but it is,’ he argued as he rolled her on top of him. ‘I’m going to strip you, and make love to you again, and you can scream as loudly as you like.’

They moved from sofa to rug in front of a glowing fire where they made love until she fell back, exhausted. ‘I’ll never forget this trip…or you…us…’ she whispered as Luc soothed her down.

‘That sounds like goodbye,’ he commented, frowning as he pulled back his head to stare into her eyes with concern.

‘Not yet, but soon,’ she whispered. It was inevitable.

‘Not yet,’ Luc agreed, brushing smiling kisses against her mouth, ‘because first I’m going to take you to bed.’

‘To sleep in each other’s arms,’ she murmured contentedly as he sprang up and lifted her.

‘To sleep in each other’s arms,’ Luc confirmed.

He watched her sleep. This was fast becoming one of his favourite occupations, he had discovered. Was this caring warmth inside him a sign he was capable of feeling something and could master the guilt?

Was this love?

He huffed a cynical smile. He’d always liked Stacey. A lot. As a teenager she’d driven him crazy, and now he admired her like no one else. But love? Love was dangerous.

She’s the mother of my child.

The warmth inside him grew at the thought. There was no one he’d rather choose for that role than Stacey. Brimful with character, integrity, intelligence and determination, she would make a wonderful mother.

On her own again?

If anyone was equal to that task, it was Stacey.

Could I really stand back and let her do that after everything I saw when she was younger? This woman who’s been starved of affection will be abandoned again?

Not abandoned. He’d always care for Stacey and their child. She didn’t need the additional burden of his guilt to carry around, so this was for the best.

She looked so peaceful he didn’t want to wake her. Exhausted from working tirelessly on behalf of his guests and from making love for most of the night, she’d earned her rest. He’d speak to her later about future arrangements when everyone else had gone.

Slipping out of bed to take a shower, he shrugged off the memories crowding his mind of warmth and peace and happiness. They belonged to someone who deserved them…deserved Stacey. She could safely sleep on. The first departure for his guests wasn’t due until noon, by which time she’d have a chance to don her professional face and head out with her usual sense of purpose to smooth everyone’s passage home.

Her work rate pricked his conscience. He wanted to wake her and make love to her again, but instead he was heading out to make sure there were no hitches for her to face. Her charges were his guests and ultimately his responsibility. She’d done enough and more besides. He’d catch her later at the airport with a token of his appreciation to thank her for all she’d done.

She’d overslept. When did that ever happen? Never. And she was alone. Luc had gone. Of course he had. He had work to do.

Didn’t she, also?

Everyone remembered the start of an event, and the event itself, if the planner had got things right, but what stayed with them was the end, when they must feel valued enough to hope they might be invited to another similar event.

Leaping out of bed, she snatched up her clothes and ran to the bathroom. A quick shower later and a scramble to put those same clothes on again, she headed out with a beanie tugged low over her still-damp hair. Glancing out of the window, she saw with relief that the gondolas were running as smoothly as if they’d never stopped.

She was alone in the chalet, no sign of Luc or Maria. She’d grab some breakfast in the village, then head straight for the hotel to make sure the departing guests had everything they needed.

The sky was blue and the skiing was good. As the small cabin swung high above the slopes she searched for him amongst the skiers. There was no sign of him. She longed to see him. They had to talk about the baby before she left for home. Surely he’d open up about that? He must. Whatever was holding him back, he had to put it behind him for the sake of their child. He couldn’t be like her father.

She chose the same café where they had eaten before. There were booths where she could be private. She would eat first, settle her mind, and then set out to complete the business side of things. Breezy wait staff brought milky coffee and French toast. She suddenly realised she was ravenous and ordered more. Glancing at her watch, she confirmed that she could afford another few minutes, and her stomach insisted on it.

Her heart jolted when she noticed Luc at the counter, speaking on his phone. He was frowning, but not too preoccupied to thank the staff behind the counter as they loaded his tray. She put her head down as he approached the line of booths where she was sitting. Phone tucked into his shoulder as he walked along, he was holding an intense conversation. She was no eavesdropper, but this was Luc. Whatever he had on his mind, she wanted to help. He looked so serious. What was it? What could it be?

He sat down in the adjoining booth. The seat backs were so high he hadn’t seen her.

This wasn’t right. She should make herself known.

Why? She wasn’t doing any harm.

He was talking to Niahl!

They’d always been a tight unit, she reasoned, and she should have known it was only a matter of time before the bond between them closed her out, relegating her yet again to the tag-along benches; the kid sister to be endured and humoured. She might be older, but she was obviously no wiser, given that the hurt she felt now was so ridiculously intense. Luc was telling her brother they were close and Niahl was ranting. She could hear him…almost as clearly as she could hear Luc’s placating reply. ‘You’re right. I overstepped. It was a huge error of judgement.’

She didn’t need to hear more. Throwing some money down on the table, she rushed out. Luc was still talking on the phone as she ran past the window. He hadn’t even noticed a woman in distress fleeing the café. That had to be a first for him. The knight in shining armour had clay feet after all.

‘You’re right, Niahl, and maybe I should have told you sooner, but I wasn’t even sure of it myself.’

‘Then why were you sleeping with my sister?’

‘Stacey isn’t like the others. This isn’t a fling, Niahl. I love the woman she’s become, and I think she loves me.’

‘Has she told you this?’ Niahl barked suspiciously.

‘She doesn’t need to.’

‘Have you told Stacey that you love her?’

‘I’ll make it my mission to love and protect her for ever—’

‘Have. You. Told. Her?’ Niahl roared. ‘For God’s sake, and yours, don’t you think you should?’ A colourful curse followed this observation. ‘The two of you are hopeless!’

‘I love your sister and I’m going to marry her.’

‘Maybe you should tell her that too?’ Niahl suggested. ‘Arrangements take time.’

‘You can put your shotgun away. We’re going to get married.’

‘You hope!’ Niahl exploded. ‘If you’re not too late!’

‘I have to tell her something else first.’

There was a long silence, and then Niahl said quietly, ‘Yes, you do.’

By sheer force of will, she ground her gears into work mode as she entered the hotel, where she now discovered that everyone was either sleeping, or just not picking up their phone. It had been one hell of a party. Requesting a discreet wake-up call to be delivered to those guests she knew should be leaving for the airport in time for early flights, she now needed something else to do…something to take her mind off what she’d overheard.

Luc had overstepped…

She was a huge error of judgement.

At least she knew where she stood.

Actually, why should he get away with that? Now she was angry. She tried his phone. No answer. With no intention of leaving a message, she headed for the hotel café. She got as far as the entrance when a group of guests saw her, and called her over to their table.

‘You’ll join us? It’s the least we can do. We’ve had an amazing time, thanks to you.’

‘It was a team effort,’ she said, embarrassed by the praise.

‘Sometimes it’s enough to say thank you,’ an older woman cautioned with a smile. ‘Enjoy it when you’re appreciated. You deserve it. You worked hard.’

Was the past responsible for the way she brushed off praise now? Maybe that was because she couldn’t quite believe her life had turned around to the extent it had. Did that make her as guilty of hiding her feelings as Luc? Were they both to blame for this situation? She would have to speak to him at some point about their child, but not here, not now, while she was still stinging from what she’d overheard. Niahl used to warn her that she would never hear anything good about herself if she listened in—which she’d used to do when he and Luc were in a huddle discussing their latest adventure. Boy, was he right!

‘I agree with my wife.’

Stacey refocused on the kindly face of a man who had spent more money at the charity auction than most people saw in their lifetime. ‘I watched you last night and you never stopped. You deserve all the praise you can get. I’m going to tell that man of yours he’s found a diamond and should hold onto you.’

‘What—? I don’t—’

‘Understand when a man’s madly in love with you?’ his wife chipped in. ‘Perhaps everyone sees it but you,’ she suggested. ‘It’s obvious to anyone with half an oil field that Lucas Da Silva adores you.’

Stacey gave a fragile laugh. She didn’t want to disillusion the couple. Her first and only task was to make sure they got safely on their way. And then the couple made a suggestion that at first she refused and then accepted. ‘Thank you. I’d love to,’ she said.

Somehow he’d missed her at the hotel, so he gunned the Lamborghini down the highway to the airport. He’d thought a lot about Stacey since speaking to Niahl. When didn’t he think a lot about her? The thought of losing her was inconceivable, yet Niahl had made it seem a real possibility. It was time to face his demons and explain why he always held part of himself in reserve, and how that had stopped him expressing his feelings. If he got this right they had a lifetime ahead of them. If he failed…

He wouldn’t fail.

That was inconceivable.

‘She’s gone?’ For the first time in his life, he was dumbfounded.

‘Yes,’ his aide explained, unaware of the turmoil raging inside him. ‘Your Texan guest offered Señorita Winner and her team a ride back in his jet. He said it was the least he could do to thank her for giving him and his wife such a wonderful evening.’

She would never have gone without her team. Stacey would never take credit for herself, or fail to share any bonus she might receive. He’d seen her own personal donation to the charity. Sealed bids, maybe, but her handwriting was unmistakeable. Stacey’s tender heart had seen her give away the bonus he’d paid to each member of the Party Planners team, and she’d done so quietly, without fanfare. This was the woman he’d allowed to slip through his fingers, and all for want of facing up to his past.