‘I value what is mine. That’s a given.’
Value wasn’t love, she added silently. Would he have followed her to the Coast if she hadn’t been pregnant?
‘Yes.’
Her eyes widened beneath the tinted lens of her sunglasses. ‘You read minds?’
‘You have expressive features. Yes…I would have hauled you back to Sydney.’ He paused fractionally. ‘And no,’ he continued with chilling softness. ‘Not solely because I discovered you carry our child. Or as some form of misguided revenge for your father’s misappropriation of bank funds.’
Dared she believe him? She wanted to, desperately. The repetitive beep of a cellphone was an intrusion, and it took a few seconds to realise it was her own. The caller ID wasn’t one she recognised, and there was surprised relief as she read a text message from her father confirming his safe arrival in New York together with the name of his hotel.
Ana put a call through to Rebekah and relayed the news, then she cleared away the remains of their lunch while Luc fired up the engines and headed south towards Botany Bay.
It was so warm, she stripped down to her bikini, took time to cover every exposed inch of skin with sun-screen lotion, then she spread out a towel and let the sun and fresh salt air work their soporific magic.
She must have dozed, for when she woke the sun had moved lower in the sky. It was still warm, but she sat up and pulled on the knit top, then rose to her feet.
The engines were silent, and she saw Luc sprawled comfortably at ease near by, reading a novel.
At that moment he glanced up and discarded the book. ‘Ready to go home?’
‘Yes. Thank you,’ she added with sincerity.
Humour tugged the edges of his mouth. ‘For what, specifically?’
‘Organising the day.’
‘My pleasure. We’ll go out somewhere later for dinner.’
The thought of dressing up didn’t appeal. ‘Why not collect take-out and eat at home?’
‘Anything in particular?’
Crispy noodles, heaps of vegetables, prawns and rice. ‘Chinese?’
‘Done.’
She looked at him in surprise. ‘You’re not going to override me?’
‘Why would I do that?’ he queried, and caught the gleam in her eyes as she laughed.
‘You’re being indulgent.’
‘Is that such a terrible thing?’ His light, teasing drawl brought an answering smile to her lips.
She could almost imagine they had taken a step back in time to the early days of their marriage, only to dismiss the thought as being fanciful. Yet there was a part of her that wanted what they once shared…the affection, fun, the spontaneity. The uninhibited loving, when there had been no doubts and she retained few insecurities.
It was almost six when they left the marina. Luc stopped en route to Vaucluse and picked up Chinese take-out, which they ate with chopsticks directly out of containers seated at a table on the terrace. Oliver sat close by, eager with expectancy for the occasional morsel of food.
Afterwards they watched the sunset, the brilliant flaring of orange streaked with pink and purple, followed by the gradual fading of colour with the onset of dusk.
It had been a near-perfect day, and she was reluctant to have it end. Tomorrow would see a return to work, and in the evening they were due to dine out with Jace and Rebekah.
Let’s not forget Celine, Ana accorded silently on the edge of sleep. The woman was bound to wreak more havoc, given half a chance.
CHAPTER NINE
MONDAY was busy, orders flowed in, and what breaks Ana and Rebekah were able to take were minimal.
Consequently, it was almost six before they were able to get away from the shop, and traffic seemed even slower than usual as Ana headed for Vaucluse.
Luc pulled into the driveway seconds ahead of her, and she followed the Mercedes into the garage, parked, then slid from the car.
‘You’re late.’
There was disapproval in his tone, and Ana flashed him a stunning smile. ‘Well, hell, so are you.’
She thought she caught a glimpse of humour in those dark eyes as she drew level, and her lips parted in surprise as he slid a hand beneath her nape and pulled her close.
‘You have a sassy mouth.’
His head descended, and she was powerless to prevent the firm pressure of his mouth on hers as he bestowed an evocative kiss that left her wanting more.
‘What was that for?’
He traced the fullness of her lower lip with an idle finger. ‘Because I felt like it.’
Dear heaven, did he have any idea what he did to her? In bed, without a doubt. But out of it? Just the thought of him sent the blood coursing through her veins. Sexual chemistry, she perceived, was a powerful entity.
And love? To find a soul mate and gift one’s heart unconditionally…to have the gift returned… Was it unattainable in life’s reality? Or did that kind of love only exist in romantic fantasy?
There were times in the depths of passion, she thought it was possible. Except in the dark of night it was all too easy to believe the touch of a man’s hands, the feel of his mouth, meant much more than it did. And without the words…
Although better no words, than a meaningless avowal that would only leave emptiness.
Get a grip, Ana berated silently. You knew when you married him that love wasn’t part of the deal. Why should anything have changed? Except in the deepest recess of her heart she’d hoped that it might.
‘What’s going on in that head of yours, hmm?’
She blinked at the sound of his voice, and switched from passive reflection to the present in an instant.
‘Contemplating how Jace and Rebekah will react to each other,’ she declared with a blandness that didn’t deceive him in the slightest.
Luc curved an arm over her shoulders as they made their way towards the foyer. ‘I have no doubt Jace will handle her without much effort.’
As you handle me? Aloud, she retaliated, ‘Rebekah wouldn’t agree with you.’
Ana ascended the stairs as Luc paused to consult with Petros, and she began discarding clothes as soon as she entered the bedroom. Thirty minutes in which to shower, wash and dry her hair, dress and be ready to depart the house didn’t allow for leisurely preparations.
The sound of cascading water masked the faint snick of the shower door opening, and she gave a startled gasp as Luc entered the cubicle.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’
He took the bottle of shampoo from her hand and poured a liberal quantity into his palm, then began massaging it into her hair.
‘Indulging you.’
His drawling tone curled around her nerve-ends and tugged a little. ‘I don’t need you to indulge me,’ she said fiercely, endeavouring to ignore the pleasure spiralling through her body. God, that felt good, so good!
His hands moved to her nape, then worked magic on her neck and shoulders. An appreciative sigh escaped her lips, and she felt the warmth within slowly build to a burning heat.
Luc rinsed the suds from her hair, smoothed back the wet length, then he lowered his mouth over hers in a soft, evocative kiss that had her leaning in to him, wanting, needing so much more.
His arousal was a potent, virile force, and she whimpered a little as he eased back a little, gentling the kiss until his lips were just brushing hers. Then he held her at arm’s length, and let his gaze roam over her slender form.
The thought of their child swelling her body almost brought him undone. The beauty of it, the miracle…
Already he could see the slight difference in the shape of her breasts, the aureoles, and he traced each contour and lightly cupped their weight, exalting in her faint intake of breath as he brushed each tender nub with his thumb.
He let one hand slip down to cover her waist, and wondered how long it would be before it began to thicken. A few more weeks…longer?
‘Luc—’
‘I want to look at you,’ he said
gently.
‘Don’t…’ It was a token protest, for there was something magical happening here. Surely she could be forgiven for wanting to capture and hold the moment.
‘Don’t what?’
She made a last-ditch attempt at sensibility. ‘We’ll be late.’
His smile held musing humour. ‘So, we’ll be late.’
‘Rebekah will never forgive me.’ She gave a husky groan as his hand slid low over her abdomen and sought the sensitive clitoris. All it took was the glide of his fingers, and she became lost…his.
He lifted her easily, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, then sank into him, loving the slow slick slide as she accepted his length.
Her mouth angled in to his, and she felt she was drowning, awash in libidinous sensation as his tongue tangled with hers in an oral simulation of the sexual act itself.
It was he who controlled the rhythmic pacing, its depth of penetration, and he cradled her as she climbed the heights, then caught her as she fell.
Like this, nothing else mattered. Only the man, the moment. It was possible to believe everything in her world was OK. No intrusions, no designing ex-mistress, and no nebulous ghost of his first wife to cloud the perfection of what they’d just shared.
Later there would be a reality check. But for now he was hers…in body, and affection. Was it so wrong to want it all? His heart, his soul?
Ana told herself she should be content with the positives…she was his wife, she was carrying their child.
The negative was Celine, who’d stop at nothing to cause trouble.
And then there was Emma, who’d occupied a brief part of his life before leaving it. In all honesty, she could hardly begrudge him the memory, and didn’t.
It was almost eight when they entered the restaurant, and Ana sensed the tension apparent before she even reached their table.
‘Ana.’ Jace rose to his feet and greeted her with an affectionate hug, brushed his lips to each cheek in turn, then held her at arm’s length. ‘You are beautiful, pedhaki mou. I swear, if you were not already married to my cousin, I’d have no compunction in stealing you away.’ His dark eyes held a devilish twinkle. ‘If he dares to mistreat you, I promise to kill him.’
‘Flatterer.’ She offered him a winsome smile, then slid into the chair the waiter held out for her.
The resemblance between the two cousins was notable in that they shared the height, the breadth of shoulder, the dark, attractive good looks of their heritage. Add power, a dangerous alchemy, and it became a combustible combination.
How many years separated them? One, two? It could only be a few.
‘You knew I didn’t want to be with Jace one-on-one,’ Rebekah remonstrated quietly as Luc and Jace perused the selection of wines.
‘I’m sure you managed OK.’ Given the thoughtful and rather musing expression Jace wore, it wasn’t difficult to imagine he’d succeeded in getting beneath Rebekah’s skin.
The waiter presented the menu, and they ordered a starter followed by a main, waived dessert in favour of the cheeseboard.
‘So tell me how it is with the florist industry,’ Jace drawled, and his eyes were watchful, sharp, beneath an indolent demeanour.
‘I’ve been away for a few weeks,’ Ana said lightly. ‘Rebekah can expound on it.’
‘To what purpose? I doubt Jace’s interest is genuine.’
‘On the contrary. I’m very interested in everything you do.’
Oh, my, this was assuming all the portents of a verbal clash.
‘Really?’ Rebekah didn’t appear to care, but Ana knew her sister too well. The question had to be whether Jace saw beneath the practised and protective fac¸ade.
‘You want to hear a florist’s day begins at four in the morning when she leaves for the city flower markets? If she arrives there later than five, all the quality blooms have already been bought.’
She held out her hands. ‘These are the major tools of our trade.’ She gave them a rueful glance. ‘They’re in water, they get cut, scratched, blistered, and retain permanent callouses. Gloves don’t work, they’re too unwieldy, and creams don’t begin to repair the damage. Forget manicures and nail polish.’ Her faint grimace held fleeting cynicism. ‘You want more?’
‘You’ve left out standing on your feet all day, and dealing with difficult customers. Deliveries that go to incorrect addresses?’ Jace drawled quizzically.
Rebekah chose silence, although Ana knew it cost her.
The food was delectable, and they ate with enjoyment.
‘How long are you staying in Sydney?’ Ana queried, directing her attention to Jace, whose home base was a private residence in New York’s fashionable Upper East Side.
‘As long as it takes to wrap up a few property deals. Has Luc told you I intend dragging him down to Melbourne day after tomorrow?’
‘Not yet.’
Jace’s smile held devilish humour. ‘Can you manage without him for a few nights?’
‘Easily.’
Luc caught hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. ‘You’re supposed to say no.’
His dark eyes held a lazy warmth that was wholly sensual, and she felt the answering kick of her pulse as it quickened in pace.
‘Really?’
Jace chuckled, and touched the rim of his wine glass to Ana’s water goblet. ‘Salute. I know of no other woman who would dare take Luc to task.’
‘My wife delights in deflating my ego.’
‘Count yourself fortunate, cousin.’
Ana caught Rebekah’s expressive eye-roll, and steered the conversation onto safer ground. ‘Let’s do dinner and the movies while Luc is away.’
‘Wednesday night?’
‘Done.’
‘Do I get to have a say?’ Luc queried mildly.
‘None whatsoever.’
‘Have Petros drive you.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘I could invite myself to stay over,’ Rebekah suggested.
‘Better,’ Luc acquiesced. ‘Petros still gets to be chauffeur.’
‘Remind me to hit you when we get home.’ She made the threat sound amusing, but there was no humour in the glance she cast him.
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
She couldn’t win, so why try? Except the banter kept things light, and Jace and Rebekah’s presence made for a pleasant evening.
It was after ten when they left the restaurant and drove home. Traffic was minimal, ensuring there were no delays at controlled intersections, and the lull provided a pleasant reminder the day was almost done.
‘What time are you leaving for Melbourne?’
‘Eager to be rid of me, pedhi mou?’
‘Must I answer that?’
Together they entered the house, and Ana climbed the stairs to the upper floor while Luc set the security alarm.
She was in bed and on the verge of sleep when he joined her, and she made no protest as he gathered her close.
His lips nuzzled the warm scented skin at the edge of her neck, then trailed a path up the sensitive cord to savour the lobe of her ear before tracing the line of her jaw.
She adored the feel of him, the hard muscle and sinew, the shape and contours of a body that was wholly male.
He made her come alive, as no man ever had, and the blood sang in her veins, heating her skin and activating every nerve cell until all her senses meshed and she became one throbbing entity.
Great sex. The best. For a while she lost herself in sensual euphoria, totally enraptured by the man who held her heart and captured her soul.
Ana glanced up at the sound of the electronic door buzzer, and her lips parted to form a warm smile. ‘Jace.’ Her greeting held genuine affection as he crossed to the counter. ‘How nice to see you.’
He leant forward and brushed his lips to her cheek. ‘And you, Ana.’
‘Is your visit business or pleasure?’
His dark eyes held humour. ‘One could say both.’
&nb
sp; ‘Rebekah has stepped out for a few minutes.’
‘Then I shall wait.’
Her grin was unrepentant. ‘Thought you might.’
‘Am I that transparent?’
She tilted her head a little, pretending to consider his mocking query. ‘You’re a Dimitriades,’ she answered lightly. ‘Transparency isn’t one of your traits. Playing the game is.’ Her expression sobered. ‘Take care with my sister.’
The amusement disappeared. ‘Or else you’ll come out fighting?’
‘Count on it.’
‘I consider myself duly warned.’
‘I don’t suppose you’re going to give me any hint of your intentions?’
‘No.’
‘Damn.’
He lifted a hand and tucked a stray tendril of hair back behind her ear. ‘I can see why my cousin put a ring on your finger.’
‘And that would be?’
‘To put you off-limits to other men.’
‘He might care to remember I put a ring on his finger.’
His gaze sharpened. ‘Problems, Ana?’
The telephone provided a welcome interruption, and she wrote down the verbal order, took credit-card details, then tended to a customer who walked in off the street.
Rebekah’s return coincided with another telephone call, and Ana dealt with it, aware that Luc’s cousin was intent on buying roses. At least two dozen, she determined as Rebekah gathered them together, then spread Cellophane paper on the work table and carefully positioned the blooms.
Just as Ana replaced the receiver, a man entered the shop, chose a prepared bouquet, then bought and paid for it.
Busy didn’t begin to describe it, and Ana checked the orders that should be ready for the delivery guy to collect on the late-morning run, glanced at the wall clock, and continued with preparations.
Whatever was happening between Rebekah and Jace reached a conclusion, and she acknowledged his ‘goodbye’ with a smile and watched as he exited the shop.
‘That man,’ Rebekah vented quietly as she joined Ana at the work table.
‘What about him?’
Rebekah consulted the order book, then retrieved tissue, Cellophane wrap, and skilfully selected carnations, baby’s breath. Nimble fingers spread them into an artistic display, and she caught ribbon from a stand of varied ribbon rolls, cut off a length and tied it within seconds.
The Helen Bianchin Collection Page 147