A Spanish Seduction (10 page)

His laugh was so attractive it made her heart flip and her toes curl. ‘I could not be responsible for that,
querida
.’

A second later, he steered her two steps sideways so they were almost completely obscured by a pillar. His eyes flared. Jessica’s blood drained from her extremities and rushed toward the melting centre of her. His breath whispered against her skin as he moved his head and his lips met hers.

Oh, yes.

The tip of his tongue swept teasingly over her bottom lip in an erotic foray of darting, tantalising actions which sent her pulse haywire.

Softening and parting on a swift gasp, her lips welcomed his kiss.

Oh dear God, this was heaven.

He didn’t rush to intensify the contact. His lips were gentle and coaxing, almost sipping at hers. It was the most divine sensation she’d ever known and she wanted it to go on for eternity.

As his arms tightened around her, she leaned in to take sanctuary against the hard wall of his chest. Pure, one hundred per cent male, Ricardo’s hard strength contrasted to her softness. The sheer breadth of his athletic shoulders spoke to the primitive female in her, declaring he was a male who could offer her protection and keep her safe from whatever the world threw at her.

Gosh. When had she ever thought something so primordial?

She didn’t need anyone to fight her battles for her. She was tough enough now to stand up for herself and to catch or deflect any curveballs life might throw at her.

Yes, you’ll never allow yourself to be a victim again, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be nice to have someone there for you.

‘I’m thinking too much,’ she said against his lips. ‘I don’t want to think. I just want to feel.’

His only response was a deep sound of agreement as her hands crept to his shoulders and her lips fastened themselves back to his, eager to taste more of him. She welcomed his kisses, inviting him in. His tongue tip slid between her teeth, swept forward and played with her own. She was caught up in bliss. The determined possession of his kiss soon turned into a seductive battle as his hands cradled her head and angled it to enable him greater access.

Jessica’s trimmed, masseuse’s fingernails pressed into the soft fabric of his jacket and she felt his shoulder muscles tense beneath her touch.

‘You taste delicious,’ he murmured, ‘but you’re still shaking.’

Sighing, she admitted, ‘Now I’m shaking for a different reason.’

‘A much better reason.’

‘Mm. This bargain comes...with fabulous...benefits,’ she murmured between kisses.

Ricardo’s thorough, demanding kisses rocked the foundations of her existence. Tiffany had urged her to abandon her principles and tempt Ricardo into bed —provided she could stay personally detached. Jessica didn’t think she could become involved intimately with any man she wasn’t emotionally engaged with.

His head pulled back from hers. Their eyes met and clung.

She’d never known such an intense moment. It was too much, too raw, too passionate and way more than she could handle. Seeking to diffuse it, she sent him a light, teasing smile. ‘I don’t remember reading anything about such wonderful fringe benefits in our contract.’

‘Perhaps we should draft another contract.’

‘Don’t tempt me.’

‘You’re the most tempting woman in the world,
querida
,’ he rasped.

She tensed at the conviction in his words. ‘Are you truly tempted, Ricardo, or is this all part of the act?’

In response, his hand moved from her waist. His fingers splayed over one cheek of her buttocks to press her into contact with his arousal. She was astounded as he told her, ‘This is how tempted I am. Looking as you do and being so lovely, you would tempt a saint.’

He was truly aroused by her!

Looking up at him, almost drugged by new power, she felt a small smile play around the corners of her lips. ‘We’ve already established you’re no saint.’

‘Will you make me more of a sinner,
querida
?’

Would she?

Oh God, it was tempting!

No.
If she did, what would that make her?

Their location crowded in on her. ‘People might see us.’

‘Rubbish! We’re almost completely out of sight.’

She closed her eyes for a second as reality hit home. ‘But, we should be seen, shouldn’t we? That’s the reason you’ve been kissing me.’

‘You’re wrong. I kiss you because I find you increasingly difficult to resist.’

‘You do?’

‘Mm.’ His mouth plundered hers again with an ardour that left her breathless. Jessica had never been more turned on, never more aware of her femininity as she was when she measured it against Ricardo’s strength.

‘Oh dear.’ Her words were breathless. ‘I don’t think...’

‘Stop.’

‘Kissing you?’

‘
Dios,
don’t stop kissing me. Stop thinking. You think altogether too much, Jessica.’

‘Oh.’

She was tempted to stop thinking and allow her senses to continue to be overwhelmed by Ricardo. He was simply, deliciously divine. Marvelling at how much her life had changed, her head spun and a very large part of her wanted to throw all caution to the wind. Her breath caught as her heart pounded against her ribcage. Was it her imagination or had her breasts just increased a cup-size? The fine lace of her bra now abraded the taut peaks of her nipples in a most erotic way.

He broke off the kiss abruptly. ‘It’s time to leave.’

‘But, we only just got here.’

He sent her a commanding look which communicated his carnal need for her. ‘As secluded as we are here, this is much too public for what I have in mind.’

Belatedly, she shook her head and self-preservation asserted itself. ‘Being seen together in public is the whole point,’ she said quietly.

‘We’ve been seen arriving together. Now, people will see us leaving.’

She only just resisted his tug on her hand as he tried to lead her away. ‘Ricardo, stop.’ Chocolate brown eyes bored into hers. ‘This is make-believe. Wonderful make-believe, beyond my wildest dreams, but it’s still just fantasy that can never be a reality.’

His head shook decisively. ‘This attraction between us is real. So real, I believe it could be beyond my wildest fantasy.’

Oh Lord
! Somehow, Jessica had to resist this wild energy between them. ‘I’m not ready for another relationship.’

‘I’m not talking about a relationship. I’m talking about satisfying this burning sexual urgency between us.’

Jessica let out a big, bottled-up breath. He’d just summed up the problem in a nutshell. ‘That’s not who I am.’ She gestured to the designer gown she wore. ‘This isn’t who I am.’

The skin across his cheekbones seemed taut, his whole body tense with frustration. ‘You don’t need the trappings of a designer gown to make me want you.’

‘I needed one hell of a makeover! Don’t start believing your own lie, Ricardo. I may be the Ugly Duckling that you’ve had turned into a swan, but no matter how you dress me up, I’ll never be one of the fast, worldly women you associate with. I’ll never find it natural to hop in and out of bed with a man I’ve just met, to satisfy a craving.’

She understood the harsh, Spanish curse he uttered under his breath, and read the battle he waged within himself as various expressions chased across his features.

Briefly he closed his eyes and she watched him grind his teeth together. The action caused a small muscle to pulse in his cheek. He let go of her hand and took a step away, looking as though he struggled to regain his composure.

‘You’re right. Once again I apologise to you.’ The column of his throat moved up and down as he swallowed. ‘I promised you this would be a strictly business agreement and I am a man of my word.’ A self-derisory smile formed on his lips. ‘I hadn’t counted on being so incredibly attracted to you when we made our bargain.’

Inwardly she groaned, even as she hugged the admission to her heart. ‘I’m very flattered. You’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. If I were a different person, I’d leave with you right now because I’ve never felt so turned on in my life.’

‘
Madre de Dios
, I wish you wouldn’t say things like that to me.’ His hands were clenched at his sides. ‘I’m not made of steel.’

‘I’m sorry, but I want to be completely honest with you. I’ve never had a one-night stand.’

His lips twisted. ‘What if we made it a three-month stand?’

Trying to take some of the edge out of the situation, she laughed. ‘Have you ever made it to three months with one woman before?’

‘No. So, you should consider yourself special.’

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another couple move closer. Jess lowered her voice further. ‘I’ve only ever slept with Jett. I’m telling you the truth when I say I don’t do casual sex.’

The slight nod of his head was one of resignation. ‘I know this about you.’

‘And I know you don’t do serious relationships.’ She held her breath awaiting his response. He’d already offered her a time period beyond his usual involvement with a woman. Could he offer her more?

There was only a slight hesitation before he agreed. ‘You’re right.’

It was the answer she’d expected, yet she felt deflated.

‘This is why I’ve been holding back since I saw you at Pablo’s,’ he explained. ‘I have no intention of hurting you.’

‘And I would be hurt. I’d be torn up when it ended.’

Damn!
She wished she could be different.

He nodded his understanding but she could feel the frustration coming off him.

He wasn’t the only one who was frustrated!

‘It’s hard enough to keep my head when you kiss me, but I don’t think I could ever give my body to anyone without giving my heart,’ she told him self-consciously.

She was aware she sounded very idealistic and naive. Now she’d met Ricardo, she wished she could be different. Tiffany had described Ricardo as being the lover of a lifetime. Jess believed it, yet she was throwing away this opportunity because of her values.

Values or hang-ups?
a little voice goaded.

‘I’m shamed for I’ve already worked that out about you. I should never have voiced my thoughts. It was selfish of me.’ She watched as he swallowed. ‘Despite what I want, I’m capable of honouring our business contract. Although it’s going to be difficult, I have no wish to hurt you when you’re doing so much to help me. You can trust me.’

Her heart flipped. Ricardo might be a playboy, but he wasn’t capitalising on his appeal to sway her. He was being a gentleman who was respectful of her and more considerate than anyone she’d ever met. Lord, his respect made her even more tempted to abandon her principles and to have him as her lover.

‘Don’t think it isn’t going to be hellishly hard for me to keep up this role for three months,’ she told him.

‘You’re very honest. I find I like you very much.’

It was her turn to send him a rueful smile. ‘You know, I didn’t think I’d like you very much, but I do, and it makes resisting you all the harder. So, how are we going to handle this?’

He grimaced. ‘Lots of cold showers?’

Despite the charged atmosphere between them, she laughed. ‘I think we’ll just have to spend lots of time together in public and steer clear of each other in private.’

‘Agreed.’

‘There’s just one thing.’

‘Yes?’

She couldn’t resist smiling broadly at him. ‘When we’re in public, I’d like you to kiss me as often as possible. I adore your kisses and I love being in your arms.’

‘
Dios
! You’re a tease. I have no idea how I’ll survive.’

She laughed at his groaned despair. The next three months really would be heaven and hell, but she knew that as stunning as Ricardo was, he wasn’t the right man for her.

Although she had cast aside dreams of a home and family, her whole make-over had changed her outlook on life. Now, she believed anything was possible, and she’d hold out for love rather than falling into bed with a man who didn’t offer emotional involvement.

Maybe, just maybe, she would find a prince one day.

It was too bad her prince would never be Ricardo.

Chapter Eight

Two weeks later, secluded from others in a private booth in Barcelona’s Opera House, Jessica was agitated. She couldn’t concentrate on the opera when Ricardo sat beside her. Every moment they spent together served to increase her physical frustration.

It wasn’t Ricardo’s fault. He’d been true to his word and they spent hardly any time alone together.

Each morning, he left for work before she was up. A phone call from his secretary advised her of the evening’s scheduled social engagement and what time the chauffeur would pick her up. The driver would stop en route to collect Ricardo from the office. Then, all the way to and from the function, the privacy partition remained down. Ricardo spoke more to the chauffeur on the car trips than he did to her. There was no opportunity to yield to the desires they’d agreed to deny.

Meanwhile, his plan was succeeding. She’d met all the board members and their wives and had been well received. Every night she and Ricardo were photographed as they arrived somewhere together, and the paparazzi hadn’t pried into her background except to report that she was a remedial therapist from London. The buzz about Ricardo’s supposed affair with Carla Lorezzi had died a swift death. Very soon the board would vote for a new CEO.

Absent-mindedly, she fingered the magnificent emerald and diamond pendant she wore.

‘Do you like my gift?’ Ricardo whispered next to her ear.

Every time he spoke, she soaked up the resonant timbre of his voice.

‘They’re divine.’

The necklace, bracelet and matching earrings had been couriered to Ricardo’s apartment that afternoon. The note accompanying the jewellery had been brief.

Wear these tonight. Ricardo.

‘I hope you’ll always think of me when you wear them.’ He leant toward her and placed a tantalizing kiss at the hollow near the base of her throat.

She pulled her head to one side, breaking the contact. ‘I have no intention of keeping these at the end of our contract,’ she told him in a hushed voice.

‘Of course you’ll keep them. They’re yours.’ His hand reached to the drop-emerald earrings and fingered the lobe of her ear before trailing down the curve of her neck.

Why was he so impossibly handsome and so utterly tempting?

‘Don’t be ridiculous, I’d have nowhere to wear something like this. It would hardly be appropriate to wear to work. Anyway, it wouldn’t be right to keep something so expensive.’

‘All my lovers have kept the jewellery I’ve given them.’

‘I’m not one of your lovers,’ she snapped.

His fingers stilled and he regarded her intently. ‘Are you regretting that as much as I am,
querida
?’

‘Yes. No.’
Damn it!
It was impossible to think straight when he spoke in his low, sexy Spanish drawl and regarded her with one dark brow indolently raised. All she could think about was going to bed with him. Her hand gripped the armrest of her chair and she tried to gather her defences. ‘We’ve talked about this and we both know we’re doing the right thing.’

Initially, Jess had told herself she was grateful he wasn’t tempting her to compromise her principles. Now, the flicking of the unseen on-off switch between his amorous, attentive behaviour in public and his polite but distant demeanour in the limousine, grated.

‘I find it increasingly hard to stay away from you, Jessica. I want you as my lover. I want to give you your first screaming orgasm and lose myself in your delectable body.’

Holy cow!

Applause filled the opera house while she felt herself blush to the roots of her hair. She realised the curtain was closing for intermission and was grateful they’d leave the privacy of their booth to mingle. How would she keep Ricardo at a distance when she hated the chasm between them and wanted to be closer to him in every way possible?

As the lights brightened slowly and people stood, he reached for her hand and drew her up and to his side. ‘What are we to do, sweetheart?’

‘Go have a drink and mingle,’ she prevaricated.

His regard grew more intense. ‘What are we to do about this continuing need between us?’

‘Continue as we are, spend as little time alone together as possible and try hard to be friends?’ she suggested, even though it was the last thing she truly wanted.

‘You ask the impossible of me.’

‘Do you even have any female friends?’

‘No.’ His answer was decisive. He made no move to leave the booth. In an abrupt change of topic he said, ‘I was told you didn’t leave the apartment today. Were you well?’

He obviously spoke to the housekeeper more frequently than he spoke to her!

‘I think I’ve done all the major tourist attractions in Barcelona now.’

‘I wish you’d used the car and driver I put at your disposal.’

And I wish you’d been with me.
Touring Barcelona by herself had been strangely lonely. ‘The Hop-On, Hop-Off bus has taken me almost everywhere I wanted to go.’

‘You sound annoyed.’

Jessica sighed. She was annoyed. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘You are annoyed?’

‘A little,’ she admitted. ‘I know that’s ridiculous. I can get around the city by myself, it just would’ve been nice to have company.’

He looked taken aback. ‘I told you I’d show you around, but that was before we agreed to keep our distance from one another.’

‘It’s okay, Ricardo. I know I can’t have it both ways.’

He traced her cheekbones with his fingers. ‘You’re lonely through the day? You’re missing home?’

I’m missing you.

‘From now on I’m not going to have time to be lonely. I signed up today to do a naturopathy course on-line. I’ve always been interested in it, but I’ve never had the time or the money to pursue it. I should be able to get a lot of the course done in the time I have left in Spain.’

His frown deepened. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve heard you speaking with others each night about your sightseeing and I assumed you were enjoying touring the city.’

‘I was. It’s such an amazing city and I’ve loved exploring and practising my Spanish.’ She reached out and touched his arm lightly, trying to ease his mind. ‘Anyway, you have far more important things to worry about. Are you making any headway with the board?’

‘There’ll be a meeting the day after tomorrow about the position. As far as I’m aware, they’ll reach a decision and I’ll know by the end of the day.’

She felt her lips stretch into a smile. ‘That’s good news. I’m sure they’ll elect you into the position.’

‘If they do, I have you to thank.’

‘I won’t be the one running the company. You’ll be elected because you deserve to be.’

‘You truly believe that?’ His hands rested at her waist.

‘Yes.’ It had been glaringly obvious from the moment she’d met him that Ricardo was a leader among men — a man who could be relied upon. He wore his confidence and command like a second skin and instilled reassurance into everyone around him.

Having been at his side every night at social functions, and listening to him speak with people, there was no doubt he possessed razor-sharp intelligence and shrewdness. He had a great vision for the company and the energy and determination to make his plans a reality.

Each moment they spent together, her admiration and respect for him grew. Each evening as he bid her a polite goodnight, her bed seemed colder and her heart grew a little heavier. She wanted nothing more than to claim Ricardo as her lover.

She’d kept in touch with Tiffany. Her friend had compelled her to think about what she wanted. Now, with Ricardo expressing his growing need for her, Jess had to make a decision. Did she hold out for a love that may never come along or did she relax the stringent moral code she’d held all her life and enjoy a mind-blowing affair with a man she thought so much of? Was the risk of heartbreak worth it?

‘Ricardo!’ The male voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Shame on you for hiding away in your private booth instead of introducing me to this beautiful woman.’

On a soft hiss of impatience, Ricardo turned to the man who entered their booth uninvited. ‘Good evening, Juan.’

At a single glance, Jess took an instant dislike to Juan even though he was a classically swarthy Spaniard. Almost as tall and broad as Ricardo, Juan did not possess an authoritative presence. As Juan’s eyes travelled over her with undisguised interest, Ricardo moved. She was drawn firmly to Ricardo’s side, one of his arms wrapped possessively around her waist.

‘You must be Jessica. Manuel has told me about you and sung your praises.’ Juan stretched out his hand and Jessica reacted automatically. Instead of the handshake she expected, Juan lifted her hand to kiss it.

She stiffened as his index finger stroked along her palm. When his tongue tip traced her knuckle, she recoiled.

Ricardo must have sensed her discomfort. His hand shot out to Juan’s wrist, warning him he’d overstepped the mark.

Instantly the other man let go, Jess wiped the back of her hand down her dress and pressed herself closer to Ricardo’s side.

‘How could the press have got it so wrong?’ Juan’s voice held a hint of menace. ‘Although their colouring is the same, she looks nothing like Carla and is far too beautiful for a Lothario like you.’

Jessica tried to locate her voice. ‘I think we all know not to believe everything we read in the newspaper.’

‘Ah.’ His shrug was eloquent. ‘But there is often a grain of truth...’

‘Jessica has moved in with me.’ The words were a steely declaration.

Juan’s eyes lit with challenge. ‘More serious than usual then, but still I see no ring on her finger.’

‘That doesn’t mean there won’t be.’

What?
Jessica only just stopped herself from exclaiming.

‘Then your intentions are serious,
mi amigo
.’

‘Never more so.’ Every word was delivered in a warning tone and with such conviction that Jess found herself shaken to the core.

This isn’t real. This is part of the act
, she reminded herself sternly.

‘Who would ever have believed it?’ Juan’s smile seemed like a threat. ‘Still, settling down into married life would go a long way to helping you achieve your lifetime goal of running your family company, would it not?’

‘Sometimes goals change,’ Ricardo parried.

‘And sometimes they stay the same but cannot be achieved without some subterfuge.’ Juan’s expression was one of cynicism before he turned to Jessica. ‘Perhaps I can spirit you away from Ricardo before you commit yourself to a life sentence?’

‘I would hate you to waste your time trying,’ she replied.

‘Watch your step, Juan,’ Ricardo warned.

‘When can I expect to hear an announcement of your engagement?’ Clearly Juan was an adversary intent on causing trouble.

‘Not before the board votes,’ Ricardo returned smoothly. ‘Your implications that there’s an ulterior motive to our relationship are an insult to Jessica. I believe you owe her an apology.’

‘Forgive me, Jessica. I did not mean to offend you. I congratulate you both.’

‘I take exception to any suggestion that our relationship is anything other than genuine,’ Ricardo warned, ‘and if I heard such a rumour circulating, I would ensure the person who spread it was very sorry.’

Juan’s smile was tight and he gave a small bow. ‘Until next time.’

‘Not if I see you first,’ she said under her breath as Juan left the booth. Turning to Ricardo, she voiced her surprise. ‘You do realise you’ve just made matters worse? If he’s a blabbermouth, the whole of Barcelona is going to expect an announcement of our engagement.’

‘The guy was trying to hit on you.’ One hand rose in an agitated movement.

‘So you as good as marked your territory?’

His lips thinned as he warned, ‘He’s a man without morals.’

‘Lord save me.’ Her eyes wide, she shook her head with mock incredulity. ‘You — a renowned playboy — are warning me off another womaniser?’ She bent down to retrieve her handbag, expecting to leave the booth for the remainder of intermission. Ricardo arrested her movement.

‘I may have earned my playboy tag in my racing days,’ he told her seriously, ‘but those days are long over.’

She drew her upper body away from him and said sarcastically, ‘Of course they are. That’s why we’re covering up what could have been a scandalous affair with Carla and why I’ve already met the delightful Simone.’

The sound he made with his tongue against his palate was one of annoyance. ‘You would hardly expect me to have been celibate would you?’

She compressed her lips in exasperation. ‘Honestly, Ricardo, what you do or what you’ve done is none of my business.’ And it would do her well to remember that. ‘And, for your information, I don’t think much of Juan. Who is he exactly?’

‘An old adversary from the school yard.’

Jessica became aware of people re-entering the main auditorium below them. ‘Can we skip the rest of the performance?’