Page 25 of Cipriani's Innocent Captive
‘Doyouthink I’m obnoxious?’ Lucas questioned softly and she blushed and squirmed, so very aware of those dark eyes fastened to her face.
‘My opinion of youhaschanged,’ Katy admitted, thinking back to the ice-cold man who had forced her hand for the sake of a deal. She thought that her opinion alsokeptchanging. She didn’t want to dwell on that, so instead she changed the subject. ‘What about Maria? When will we find out what the outcome is?’
‘There’s every chance it will be a positive one.’ Lucas glanced at his watch. ‘I personally know the surgeon and there’s no one better. I’ve contacted her family, who will be in the waiting area, and as soon as the operation is over I’ve asked to be called. I don’t anticipate any problems at all. However...’
‘However?’
‘It does mean that there will be a small change of plan.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘We will no longer be based on the yacht. For a start, without Maria around, there will be no one to attend to the cooking and all the other little things she takes care of, and it’s too late to find a replacement who can stay on board. So we’ll have to relocate to my villa. I can get someone to come in on a daily basis and, furthermore, I will be on hand in case there are any complications following surgery.’
He paused. ‘Maria worked for my father before he...began steadily going off the rails. My mother was very fond of her, so I’ve made sure to look out for her and her family, and also made sure to carry on employing her in some capacity when my father’s various wives decided that they would rather have somewhat smarter people holding the fort in the various properties.’
His mobile phone buzzed and he held up one hand as he spoke in rapid Italian to the consultant, the concerned lines on his face quickly smoothing over in reaction to whatever was being said on the other end.
‘All’s gone according to plan,’ he said. ‘But, had she not reached the hospital when she did, then it would have been quite a different story. Now, why don’t you wait here while I have a word with some of her family? I won’t be long. I’ll also arrange for your clothes and possessions to be transported to the villa.’ He looked at her, head tilted to one side, then he patted his pocket. ‘You can call your parents, if you like,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ve been checking your phone, and I see that they’ve taken you at your word and not texted, but I expect they’d like to hear from you.’
He handed over the phone and her eyes shone, because more than anything else this demonstrated that he finally trusted her, and she found that that meant a great deal to her.
‘What can I say to them?’ she asked, riding high on the fact that she was no longer under suspicion. A barrier between them had been crossed and that felt good in the wake of what they had shared.
‘Use your discretion,’ Lucas told her drily. ‘But it might be as well not to mention too many names, not that I think anything can go wrong with the deal at this stage. It’s a hair’s breadth away from being signed.’ He stood up, leaving her with her mobile phone, and it felt like the greatest honour bestowed on her possible. ‘I’ll see you shortly and then we’ll be on our way.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
LYINGONTHEwooden deckchair by the side of the infinity pool that graced the lush grounds of his villa and overlooked the distant turquoise of the ocean, Lucas looked at Katy as she scythed through the water with the gracefulness of a fish.
The finalising of the deal had taken slightly longer than Lucas had anticipated, but he wasn’t complaining. Indeed, he had encouraged his Chinese counterparts to take their time in sorting out all the essential details on which the takeover pivoted. In the meantime...
Katy swam to the side of the pool and gazed at him with a smile.
Up above, the sun had burnt through the early-morning clouds to leave a perfectly clear, milky, blue sky. Around them, the villa afforded absolute isolation. It was ringed with trees and perched atop a hill commanding views of the sea. Lucas had always valued his privacy and never more so than now, when he didn’t want a single second of his time with her interrupted by so much as a passing tradesman. Not that any passing tradesman would be able to make it past the imposing wrought-iron gates that guarded the property.
He had dismissed all help, ensuring that the villa was stocked with sufficient food for their stay.
Just him...and her...
Right now, she was naked. He had half-expected, after that tentative surrender four days ago when she had placed her small hand on his thigh and sent his blood pressure through the roof, that a three-steps-forward, one-step-back game might ensue. He had predicted a tussle with her virtuous conscience, with lust holding the trump card, but in fact she had given herself to him without a trace of doubt or hesitation. He had admired her for that. Whatever inner battles she had fought, she had put them behind her and given generously.
‘It’s beautiful in here.’ She grinned. ‘Stop being so lazy and come and swim.’
‘I hope that’s not the sound of a challenge,’ Lucas drawled, standing up, as naked as she was. He couldn’t see her without his libido reacting like a lit rocket and now was no exception.
‘Is sexallyou ever think about, Lucas?’ But she was laughing as she stepped out of the pool, the water streaming off her slick body.
‘Are you complaining?’ His eyes darkened and he balled his hands into fists. The urge to take her was so powerful it made him feel faint. He wanted to settle her on a towel on the ground and have her hard and fast, like a teenager in the grip of too much testosterone. Around her he lost his cool.
‘Not at the moment,’ Katy said breathlessly, walking straight into his arms. They had a lot of sex but, in fact, they also talked as well, and laughed, and enjoyed a level of compatibility she would never have thought possible when she had first met him.
He was still the most arrogant man she had ever met but there was so much more to him as well. She had no idea what was going to happen when they returned to London and she didn’t think about it. Maybe they would carry on seeing one another...although how that would work out when she was his employee she couldn’t quite fathom. The gossip would be out of control and he would loathe that.
For the first time in her life, Katy was living in the moment, and she wasn’t going to let fear of what might or might not lie round the corner destroy her happiness.
Lucas cupped her pert bottom, which was wet from swimming, and kneaded it between his hands, driving her closer to him so that his rock-hard erection pushed against her belly.
She held him, played with him, felt the way his breathing changed and his body stiffened. She couldn’t stop loving the way he reacted to her. It made her feel powerful and sexy and very, very feminine.
