Revenge in Rio

  Luca leaned over and whispered into her ear. “Let’s go home. I’m done here.”

  “But we haven’t been here very long.”

  “I’ve greeted everyone and now I want to leave. With you,” he explained as he downed his last mouthful of champagne.

  “They haven’t even brought out the dessert yet.”

  He traced a finger along her jaw line and stopped at the corner of her lips. She remembered his words at the beginning of the night. Tonight I will have you, Daniella.

  One eyebrow was raised and a mischievous glint shone wickedly in his eyes which were ablaze. “I can certainly provide dessert.”

  Daniella bit down on her lip to stifle the giggle inside of her. The double meaning of his statement caused her to shiver with excitement.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.” They stood and he took her hand, tucking it into his arm.

  “Mr. Venancio.” A man’s voice called Luca from behind. “I would like to have a word with you.”

  “I’m leaving now, but you can contact my secretary to arrange a convenient time of us both.” Luca turned to face the Saudi businessman.

  “I think you will be very interested in what I have to say about a possible third contract. Handsome figures.”

  Luca’s eyes met with his opponent and Daniella knew he was back in the business frame of mind.

  “Why don’t we have a quick nightcap?” the man asked. He looked over Luca’s shoulder, his eyes trailing up and down Daniella. “Alone.”

  She gripped tighter on to Luca’s forearm.

  Luca hesitated for a moment before turning to Daniella. “Wait here. I will only be five minutes.”

  “But you promised you wouldn’t leave me,” she whispered.

  He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “This man is one of the biggest catches, I just need a couple of minutes. I won’t be far.” Luca pried himself away from her grip and shook the man’s hand before leading him to the bar area.

  Daniella sat alone at one of the vacant chairs, hoping she would blend into the background like a wallflower. Fine chance!

  “So you are the new fancy bit?” A high-pitched, matter-of-fact voice came from behind her.

  “Excuse me?” Daniella turned to face the woman and her gaze fell upon a leggy, size zero blonde who stood with her hands on her hips.

  “You are Luca’s new toy I presume?” she repeated.

  Daniella smiled to herself, unsure how to interpret the observation.

  “Sorry, who are you?” She gripped the edge of the chair as she looked into the woman’s icy, blue eyes.

  The woman stepped closer toward her. “I am the only one who could satisfy Luca, and by the looks of things, I still am.” She ran her eyes across Daniella’s tummy and snorted. “That—” She pointed her long, manicured finger at Daniella’s unborn child. “—is clearly not his.” Her strong French accent accentuated the cruel words, and they were like a slap across the face.

  Daniella opened and closed her mouth as her brain processed the vicious words.

  “Luca did not want any children. He said they would hold him back from his career and were too much hassle.” The blonde stepped closer so she was just inches away. “That’s why we always used protection. Something you obviously know nothing about, you silly little girl. I understand Luca in every single way possible. We are two of a kind. What could you possibly offer him?”

  The woman’s cold and judgmental eyes were locked firmly on Daniella’s and her lips were set in a petulant pout. Images of this vindictive creature and Luca, her hero, her only love, began to cloud her mind. She knew he had been with women during her marriage to Miguel; she wasn’t silly or naive by any means, but the thought of him being with a woman like the one standing before her churned her stomach.

  Standing as tall as possible to match her accuser, adrenaline surged through Daniella’s veins like power igniting her tired body. For a moment, her legs trembled and threatened to collapse beneath her. She’d experienced enough abuse and humiliation over the years and she was not going to allow herself to be treated that way again. Ever. By anyone. Especially this jealous ex!

  Who did this woman think she was? It was fight-or-flight and her mind and body had chosen to fight.

  Daniella was several inches shorter than the leggy blonde, but it didn’t faze her. She wanted to inform her that Luca did not care for bleached blonde and fake tanned women, but instead she refrained and kept her composure.

  “The name of my baby’s father is Venancio.” Daniella collected her bag. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

  “Wait a minute, you little home wrecker.” The woman grabbed at Daniella’s wrist.

  “Get your hands off of me.” Daniella’s voice rose and guests turned and stared.

  “When he comes to his senses, he’ll throw you and that bastard child on to the streets where you belong, and he will come straight back to me.” Her words cut through Daniella like an ice-cold dagger to her heart.

  She looked over the woman’s shoulder and saw Luca sipping from a large tumbler glass as he nodded along with what his associate had to say. Could he have really been interested in this cruel woman, have been intimate and loving with her? Her mind raced. It seemed ludicrous, but had he changed so much over the last several years that she didn’t know him anymore? Her eyes fell on the woman’s scrawny fingers.

  “Please remove your hand or I will call for security to remove you.”

  One by one the nearby guests fell silent and watched.

  “Stupid little girl.” The woman released her hold, allowing Daniella to leave.

  She had to get out of that place, with or without Luca. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she hurried across the never-ending room. Nausea threatened to consume her, and she needed fresh air. She pushed the set of exit of doors open, almost knocking down the concierges.

  “Senhora, is everything okay?” one of the men asked. “Shall I send for Senhor Venancio?”

  Daniella covered her mouth with one hand and tried to hold back the pricking of tears that pushed to be released. The other hand she held out in front of her, signaling she was all right.

  “I’m fine.” It took all of her control to keep her voice from betraying her. “I’m fine. I would just like to go home now.”

  “Of course, right away.” The concierge summonsed a limousine waiting nearby with a flick of his hand.

  Daniella fell into the luxury car and rested her head against the back of the leather seat. The driver was a member of Luca’s chauffeur staff and didn’t require directions, giving her time to close her eyes and be alone.

  She didn’t know whether to believe what the blonde had told her or just put it down to jealous lies, but she knew she didn’t want to meet the woman and her cruel tongue again.

  * * * *

  “Daniella?” Luca flung open the front door and then paced from room to room, continuing to shout for her, his voice booming through each room as he entered. “Daniella?”

  He’d checked all of the ground floor rooms and there was no sign of her. Was she okay?

  Dread filled him to the pit of his stomach. The hotel staff had informed him she had left in a provided limousine and was driven by his regular staff, but had they physically taken her into the property and ensured she was safe? Damn it! Why hadn’t she just waited for him?

  “Daniella?”

  He climbed the stairs two at a time as an energy surged through him. Shrouded in darkness at the top of the landing, the light shone beneath the door of the guest room.

  Daniella’s room.

  The light crept from the edge of the closed door and toward him, beckoning him closer. He quickly closed the space, turned the handle, and entered. The feminine patterned bed linen was still made and untouched with Daniella not in sight. He dragged a hand through his hair and swore to himself before his gaze caught sight of the en suite door that was ajar. His banging heart now pounded in his ears and the surge of adrenalin slowly fad
ed, leaving him with the slightest tremor.

  He pushed the door back on its hinges. The huge bathtub was full to the brim with bubbles and Daniella lay back in the bath, her nose out of the water and the rest of her face submerged. Eyes closed, her dark lashes rested on the tops of her cheeks and her hair floated about her shoulders with a sense of serenity. The floral scent of the bubble bath filled his nostrils and reminded him to control his ragged breath now that he’d found her. He dragged both hands over his face as relief washed over him. Was he thankful she was safe or that she was still there?

  Luca shrugged out of his tux jacket and released the top button of his shirt, leaving the bow tie hanging loosely around his neck. He placed his hands into his trouser pockets and hesitated—he didn’t want to frighten her so he moved slowly to close the space between him and the tub. The mountain of soapy suds covered every part of her body apart from the tops of her shoulders and head, leaving the rest to his imagination and a few memories.

  Crouching down onto his haunches, he rested his elbows on his knees and brought both hands together under his chin. His gaze wandered the length of the bath, of her hidden body, and settled upon her eyes. Of course he’d been worried about her safety. It was only natural to feel like that. So how was he going to feel come tomorrow morning when he was saying goodbye for the last time?

  Daniella’s movement distracted him from his inner torment. She lifted her head and pushed herself up so that her shoulders and back rested against the slope of the bath. Her dark wet hair, now deadly straight without a curl in sight, was slick and molded to her shoulders. Her lips were slightly parted, full and pouty, ready to be kissed. She opened her eyes and met his gaze with a look of intensity.

  “Why did you leave? They told me you were going home. I told you to wait for me, I thought you…the baby…” Although he’d regained his composure, his words were jumbled and he sounded like a mad man.

  “I didn’t really want to stay around and be spoken to like rubbish. I knew you were busy, so I came home. You can see we are safe.”

  “I see.” He rose to his feet and sat on the edge of the bath.

  “Do you mind? I’m trying to relax and—”

  “I saw Natalie Chevalier talking with you.”

  “Oh, so the witch does have a name?”

  “Please, forget anything she said to you. She is poison.”

  “You admit you do know her then?”

  Luca cleared his throat before answering her. “Yes, we dated for a few months, that’s all. Nothing more.”

  Tension lingered in the air and they stared at each other.

  “She said you didn’t ever want children, is she right?”

  “I certainly didn’t want children with her.” It was true. Natalie had been one of many women he had spent time with. She had meant nothing to him, nothing emotionally. It had been purely physical, as every other woman had been. After the heartbreak he had gone through with Daniella and his brother, he would not let himself feel that way again, to be trapped and ruined at the hand of another woman. Therefore it was easier to just keep things physical—sexual—with no emotional strings attached.

  “I asked if you ever wanted children.”

  “Yes, of course.” He paused, his gaze locked with hers. “But only with one person.”

  She swallowed and a gulp escaped her throat.

  “Only ever with you.” He finally broke their gaze and looked down at his hands and then back to her. “If that wasn’t possible, then no, I never wanted children.”

  The bubbles started to disperse, breaking away and scattering small islands unevenly around Daniella’s body. Patches of skin were visible through the gaps that the bubbles had created, allowing Luca to have a glance. Her long, silky hair passed her shoulders and covered her breasts in an almost mermaid-type style. The curve of her hip and her thigh tantalized him and had him stifling a groan. The roundness of her belly jutted out of the water, with just a few speckled bubbles left on her skin. It was perfectly round, and her skin glistened from the water and soapsuds. Just the faintest sign of one or two stretch marks could be seen across her pregnant abdomen, making her seem more real, more womanly than any other he had been with. Admiring the full curve of her bump suddenly filled him with the desire to touch it.

  Ludicrous. Why should he want to feel something so precious…something so intimate…something that wasn’t his. He couldn’t find a reason for it.

  Breaking the silence, he asked, “May I?” and lifted his right hand to hover just above her tummy.

  Daniella hesitated and then nodded. Nervously, he placed his palm at the top of the neat curve and his fingers spread over her tight skin. Luca realized he was holding his breath and released it with a loud whoosh sound.

  “O meu Deus!” His laugh echoed around the tiled bathroom and he was greeted with a swift kick to his hand.

  “Feisty one, huh?”

  “You most definitely have a footballer in there. One very strong and healthy baby.”

  Oh God, why isn’t it my baby?

  Chapter 10

  Luca inhaled deeply, trying to keep his composure, which never failed him, not ever, even in the most difficult situations.

  But now, seeing Daniella before him, naked, her skin scattered with tiny pearl-like droplets, he knew he was going to lose control at any second. He removed his hand from her stomach and reached toward the cascading wet hair lying over her swollen breast. With two fingers he gently pushed the slick mane aside and around to the side of her arm. He stifled a growl at the glimpse of the light brown circle that encompassed a rose-pink nipple. It instantly peaked under his gaze. Thoughts of taking the dusky bud-like tip between his lips once again flooded his mind, to roll it softly between his teeth and tease it with his tongue. He trailed the back of his two fingers over the curve of her breast and ribs, allowing his eyes to leisurely follow the path of his fingers. The shallow pant that escaped Daniella’s lips turned him on even more.

  “You have no idea how exquisite you are,” he whispered.

  He was going to have her tonight, over and over, all night long, and savor every damn second of it. Eager to put his plan into full throttle, he continued to gently follow the curve of her hips and thighs with his hand. She wasn’t stopping him and a wicked glint in her eye incited him to continue. His hand moved deeper into the now translucent water as his fingers left her curves and moved toward the dark curls of hair visible at the apex of her thighs. He wanted to be inside her now, this very second, but knew he had to take it slowly. He’d waited long enough and a few more minutes wouldn’t kill him. Nothing was going to happen in here. No.

  Luca wanted her in his bed, where he could see her, touch her, and make her his. Her eyes were ablaze, large emerald green jewels framed by dark lashes gazed up at him. The blood pounded in his loins and pushed against his trousers, aching to seize the jewel that was rightfully his. The prize that was his. The business deal that was going to be sealed. After all, that was all she was, right?

  This was what he wanted, to have his revenge and to have his way. This would be the end. Anything else had just been part of his plan, an illusion for her benefit. He needed her out of the bath and in his bed. He bent and lifted her from the bath in one swift movement.

  “What are you doing?” Daniella shrieked as she was plucked from the tub.

  She clung to him as he carried her out of the bathroom and down the dark hallway. His shirt, now soaked from her wet body, cooled his skin. He turned the handle of his master bedroom door and kicked it open with his foot.

  “I told you I would have you tonight.” He set her down on his bed.

  He bowed his head to kiss her, his arms pinning hers close to her body. She was still, looking up at him with desire beneath her hooded gaze, as the last droplets of water on her naked skin evaporated into the warm air.

  He bent closer to her and waited for her move to meet his lips. To see if she wanted this…needed this as much as he did. He would not fo
rce her into anything she didn’t want, that wasn’t his style. If she objected, then he would have to go back to the drawing board and devise a new strategy.

  “I love you, Luca,” she whispered.

  Ouch. Those words he’d wanted to hear for so long now stung his heart. He swallowed and fought to remain in control

  “I love you too. Sometimes too much,” he said softly.

  Daniella bit down on her lip and reached up to pull the loose bow tie away from his shirt collar.

  Damn it. She had no idea what that did to him—normally it would infuriate him. He knew she bit her lip when she was nervous or self-conscious, but right now she had no reason to be, and it was driving him wild with need. He wanted to capture the soft, pink lip between his own lips and devour her.

  Eyes are the portals to the soul and lips are the corridors to the mind, he thought.

  His tie fell from her fingers to the floor and then she loosened his shirt buttons. The softness of her fingertips brushed his chest and small shocks of pleasure rippled over his skin.

  Oh, those hands.

  She eased his shirt up and over his shoulders and it crumpled to the ground before she leaned forward and finally met his kiss. Luca reclaimed her mouth as he pushed his lips gently against hers and cupped her face with both of his hands. His tongue made a sweeping search, needing to taste even more of her intoxicating nectar.

  He reluctantly lifted his lips from hers and traced delicate kisses along her neck until he reached her ear. “Relax,” he whispered.

  “I can’t. I look awful.” She spoke quietly and tried to cover her body.

  “Ridiculo! Why do you always think so little of yourself? You need to stop it.” Luca gently pulled her hands from her body. He held her arms out to the sides of her and, his eyes roamed impatiently over her luscious, feminine curves. “You…you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You have no reason to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Believe me.”