The Helen Bianchin Collection (Mills & Boon E-Book Collections) (238 page)

Her eyes clung to his, wide, dilated, unblinking as he stepped back a pace. She saw his lips curve into a faint smile that held quizzical warmth, and something else.

Then he turned and left the room. She heard the faint
snick
as the front door closed and the lock engaged, and seconds later his car engine purred into life, only to fade with distance.

Stephanie didn't move, she simply stared into space as she tried to collect her thoughts.

If she rang him, her life would never be the same. Yet if she didn't…would she live to regret not having taken that chance?

Life
was all about chance. You could choose whether to welcome it with both hands. Or you could choose extreme caution, question every possibility, and never realize a dream.

What did she have to lose?

A hollow laugh rose and formed a lump in her throat. Oh
hell.
She was damned if she did, and damned if she didn't.

Impulse stirred her to action, and she extracted Raoul's business card, then made the call.

He picked up on the third ring. ‘What took you so long?'

‘A fight with my subconscious,' she answered honestly.

‘Merci.'

His voice sounded deep and impossibly husky, and did strange things to her equilibrium.

‘Good night.' She cut the connection, then stood in reflective silence.

What had she done? She was mad,
insane.
To contemplate aligning herself with someone of Raoul Lanier's caliber was akin to riding a tiger. But what a ride, a tiny imp taunted mercilessly.

Too restless to sleep, she retrieved fresh linen and made up the bed in the spare room ready for her mother. She also dusted, and put out fresh towels.

Then she made a cup of tea and flicked through the channels on cable television in the hope of finding something engrossing to watch, only to switch it off and pick up a book.

A
DELIVERY
of roses, a dozen beautiful pale pink buds sheathed in cellophane arrived in reception midafternoon, and Stephanie ignored her secretary's curiosity as she extracted the card.

Dinner tonight. Seven. Raoul.

‘Shall I fetch a vase?'

She looked up at the sound of Isabel's voice. ‘Thanks.'

‘Your three-thirty appointment is waiting in reception. Shall I show her in?'

‘Give me a few minutes, I need to make a call first.'

Seconds later she punched in a series of digits, and tried to calm her shredding nerves as she waited for Raoul to pick up.

A kiss didn't mean anything, despite the fact it was very skillfully executed and pushed all the right buttons, she conceded rationally, only to stifle a groan. Who did she think she was kidding?

‘Lanier.'

His voice was deep, businesslike, and she forced herself to respond in kind. ‘Stephanie.' She turned away from the desk and looked at the scene beyond the plate-glass window. ‘Thank you for the roses.'
She felt like a gauche teenager, which was ridiculous!

‘My pleasure.'

The husky faintly accented voice seeped into her body and curled around her nerve endings. She lifted a shaky hand and pushed back a stray tendril of hair.

It was crazy to feel so distracted, and her fingers tightened on the receiver as she sought composure. ‘I can't make it tonight. My mother is arriving from Sydney on the evening flight.'

‘You need to collect her from the airport.' He sounded vaguely amused, almost as if he
knew
the struggle she was having in order to remain calm.

‘Yes. I'm sorry.'

‘I'll look forward to meeting her—'

‘Raoul—'

‘When I collect you and Emma tomorrow,' he continued. ‘Adriana mentioned meeting in the hotel foyer at nine-thirty.'

‘It will be easier if I drive to the hotel.'

‘We've been down this path before,' Raoul drawled. ‘Nine-fifteen, Stephanie.'

‘I don't like domineering men,' she retorted, and heard his soft husky laughter. Her voice assumed a definitive coolness. ‘I have a client waiting.'

‘Tomorrow, Stephanie,' he reminded a bare second before she disconnected the call.

 

‘Nanna's coming, Nanna's coming. Big airplane,' Emma chanted on the way home, during her bath,
over dinner and all the way down to Coolangatta airport.

‘Nanna.'
Stephanie had to physically restrain her from running to the entry doors the instant Emma caught sight of her grandmother walking the concourse.

‘Celeste.' Stephanie greeted her mother with an affectionate hug, and took her carry-on bag so Celeste could gather Emma into her arms.

There wasn't a chance to get a word in edgeways as Emma excitedly regaled every detail about day care, her friends, the beach, the pool. Nonstop childish chatter ruled as Stephanie collected Celeste's bag from the luggage carousel.

‘How are you, darling?' Celeste inquired of her daughter when there was a temporary lull.

‘Fine,' Stephanie answered warmly. ‘The job is going well.' She shot Celeste a quick smile. ‘As you can see, Emma is great.'

‘Dreamworld,' Emma chorused from the rear seat. ‘Tomorrow me and Mommy and Lucia, and Raoul—' she struggled getting the name out ‘—are going to Dreamworld. Can Nanna come, too?'

‘We'll talk about it later, sweetheart,' Celeste conceded.

It took a while for Emma to settle after they arrived home, and it was almost nine when Stephanie entered the lounge.

‘I made some tea, darling.' Celeste indicated the sofa. ‘Now come and sit down.'

‘How is Dad?'

Celeste smiled warmly. ‘Philip is fine. Still working too hard, but he enjoys the legal process, and criminal law is his life.'

It was lovely to catch up on all the news. Family comprised several cousins, aunts and uncles, her grandparents, and it was almost eleven when Celeste caught sight of the time.

‘I think we should go to bed. We have plenty of time over the weekend to chat.'

‘Would you like to come to Dreamworld with us tomorrow?' Stephanie asked as she straightened cushions and switched off the lamp.

‘You're going with friends, aren't you, darling? I might just relax at home, and prepare a roast for dinner.'

Ever the mother, Stephanie conceded affectionately. Roast dinners, baking tins filled, extra for the freezer. She placed an arm around Celeste's waist as they traversed the short hallway. ‘I've already washed curtains and bedspreads,' she warned with a smile. ‘So don't even
think
about any spring-cleaning, okay?'

‘I like to do things for you. I don't get the chance very often.'

Stephanie switched on the light in the spare bedroom. ‘Sleep well, Celeste. I'll see you in the morning.'

 

A bright sunny day, with the promise of high temperatures, Stephanie saw as she opened shutters and let the light in.

It was early, only seven, but Emma had already stirred, and she popped an educational video into the VCR. ‘Sit quietly,' she said. ‘I'll get you some juice, then we'll have breakfast.'

Celeste joined them, and at eight-thirty Stephanie dressed Emma, packed a holdall with sunscreen cream, snacks, juice, bottled water, the utilitarian first-aid necessities and the seemingly hundred and one things needed when taking a child out for the day.

Then she quickly changed into stonewashed jeans and a blue singlet top, added a blouse, then tended to her makeup.

Emma had positioned herself on a chair beside the window overlooking the front driveway, and Stephanie heard her excited voice calling, ‘Raoul's here. Raoul's here, Mommy.'

‘There's no such thing as a quiet arrival,' Stephanie said wryly as Celeste rose to her feet.

‘Oh my,' Celeste murmured as Raoul entered the hallway.

Attired in casual dress jeans, a navy polo shirt and trainers—sunglasses pushed high—he resembled something out of the pages of a men's fashion magazine.

Stephanie performed introductions. ‘My mother, Celeste Sommers. Raoul Lanier.'

‘A pleasure,' Raoul inclined, and Stephanie could almost sense his effect on her mother.

‘Raoul, Raoul.' Emma launched herself at him, and he caught and lifted her high against his chest.

‘
Bon jour,
Emma,' he greeted solemnly.

‘Dreamworld. Got a cap.' She put a hand over the cap pulled down over her hair. ‘Can we go?' She turned to her grandmother. ‘Bye, Nanna.'

‘Have a nice day,' Celeste said warmly.

Raoul took Emma to the car while Stephanie set the booster seat, and within minutes Raoul reversed down the driveway and headed toward the highway.

They entered the theme park shortly after ten, and both Emma and Lucia chattered with delight as the adults indulged them in a variety of rides and other features suitable for the very young.

Stephanie was supremely conscious of Raoul at her side, the light momentary brush of his hand at her waist, her shoulder. His smile did strange things to her composure, and her whole body seemed like a finely tuned instrument awaiting his touch.

It was madness, a madness she couldn't afford. For four years she'd marshaled her emotions and vowed never to allow another man to get beneath her skin. Now, no matter how hard she tried to avoid it, Raoul had skillfully managed to penetrate her defenses.

Could he sense her ambivalence? Probably, she perceived wryly. He seemed to have developed the uncanny knack of reading her mind, anticipating her thoughts.

Together with Bruno, Adriana and Lucia, they watched the tigers, rode the paddle steamer and witnessed the little girls' awe at the enacted mock train robbery.

There were several stops for liquid refreshment as
the day wore on, and after an alfresco lunch both little girls began to tire.

‘I'll take her,' Raoul indicated when Stephanie lifted Emma into her arms, and as she was about to protest Emma leaned toward him with arms outstretched.

What could she say? To refuse would seem churlish. Besides, Emma was only copying Lucia, who was happily settled in the curve of her father's arm.

It didn't take long for two little heads to droop against two male shoulders, and Stephanie tried to ignore the sight of her daughter nestled comfortably in Raoul's arms. It looked natural, much too natural, and there was a part of her that wanted to tear Emma away.

Don't get too close. It's unfair, she longed to hurl at him. But with Bruno and Adriana within hearing distance, there wasn't much she could do except appear relaxed and at ease with the situation as they wandered in and out of several tourist and souvenir shops.

Lucia stirred a short while later, and almost on cue Emma lifted her head, focused on her surroundings and pointed to where several cartoon costumed characters were mingling among the crowd.

‘Kenny Koala,' Emma chanted with renewed energy, and there were photographs taken with each costumed character, then after time-out for refreshments, they slowly made their way toward the main gate.

‘It's been a lovely day.' Adriana leaned forward
and caught hold of Stephanie's hand. ‘Thank you for bringing Emma. Lucia has had a wonderful time.'

‘We've hired a cruiser and crew to tour the waterways tomorrow,' Bruno relayed as they reached their respective cars. ‘We would like to have you join us.'

Raoul inclined his head. ‘Stephanie?'

She'd been on edge all day in his company. The thought of spending yet another day with him sent her stomach fluttering with nervous tension. ‘It's very kind of you, but my mother is visiting from Sydney.'

‘Bring her, too,' Adriana encouraged warmly. ‘Please, it will be fun to spend another day together, our last on the Gold Coast, for we leave on Monday.'

Stephanie didn't have the heart to refuse. After all, she wouldn't be alone with Raoul. ‘I'll check with Celeste and see if she has anything planned, then call you.'

There was a general exodus of people and cars from the theme park, consequently it took a while to gain clear passage onto the highway. Although once there, Raoul was able to pick up speed, and it was after five when he pulled into her driveway.

Extracting Emma, the booster seat, took essential minutes, and Stephanie could hardly refuse Raoul's help. It followed that he came into the house, and Celeste seemed bent on offering him a drink, inquiring about the day, which together with Emma's excited verbal contributions took some time.

He could, she decided with unwarranted cynicism,
have politely declined the drink and retreated within minutes. So why hadn't he?

Worse, he looked very much at ease and far too relaxed for her peace of mind as he conversed with Celeste. Cruising the waterways and an invitation to join them the next day was presented with superb verbal strategy, achieving his objective with a skill she could only admire.

‘I'll be delighted.' Celeste beamed warmly. ‘Perhaps you'd like to join us for dinner?'

No,
Stephanie silently cried, don't do this. But it was too late.

‘Raoul may have plans,' she interjected quickly, willing him to refuse.

‘No plans,' he returned easily, meeting her gaze as he offered a faint musing smile. ‘Thank you. Celeste.'

Fine, let Celeste entertain him.
She
had things to do. Bathing Emma was one of them, not to mention unpacking the holdall of drink bottles, fruit and a number of other comestibles essential to a day out with a young child.

‘If you'll excuse me?' She extended her hand to Emma. ‘Bathtime, sweetheart.'

Emma's cheerful questions and observations provided a welcome distraction, and afterward Stephanie took time to freshen up. Although she refused to change on the grounds that it would seem as if she'd done so strictly for Raoul's benefit.

‘Raoul insisted on buying wine to go with dinner,' Celeste indicated as Stephanie entered the kitchen.
‘He should be back soon.' She expertly turned the roast vegetables and slid the pan back into the oven. ‘He seems nice, darling.'

Nice?
He was many things, but nice? Determined, overwhelming.
Lethal.

‘No comment?' Celeste teased, and caught her daughter's wry glance.

At that moment Raoul returned, and Stephanie busied herself setting the table, then helped Celeste dish the meal.

Her mother was an excellent cook, and Stephanie fought hard to do justice to the food on her plate.

‘Do you have family, Raoul?'

Here we go, Stephanie inwardly groaned. The maternal need for background details. She studiously avoided looking at him as she helped Emma with her vegetables.

‘Two brothers, Michel and Sebastian. Michel is currently in Australia with his wife. Sebastian and Anneke recently married and are at present touring Europe.'

‘Your parents live in France?'

‘My mother died a few years ago, but my father resides in the family home and continues to take an active interest in business.'

‘Do you live in a big house?' asked Emma, her expression solemn as she waited for his answer.

‘Some of the time.'

‘Do you have a dog?'

He gave Emma a warm smile. ‘Yes, two of them. And two cats, some hens and ducks, geese and a
parrot who tells everyone who comes near him to have a happy day.'

Emma's eyes became very round. ‘A parrot talks?'

Raoul's eyes gleamed with latent humor. ‘Yes,' he enlightened gently. ‘He really does.'

‘Is it very far away?'

‘Raoul lives in Paris, darling. Many thousands of miles on the other side of the world,' Stephanie elaborated.

‘Can we come visit?' Emma ventured, innocent of distance.

‘I would like that.'

‘Shall I serve dessert?' Stephanie queried as she rose to her feet and began stacking cutlery and plates.