by Mia Caldwell
Wasn’t it?
But she was in a chalet in Switzerland, and she was going to be dining with a very rich man. When would she have a chance to do something like this again?
Twenty-four going on twenty-five.
Sabela pulled out a silk wrap dress.
It was a lovely shade of lavender that she knew looked good on her. The bust was well fitted, and the fabric molded itself to her curvy hips and ass. The skirt flared out at mid-thigh, displaying her long, shapely legs.
It couldn’t have been better if she’d made it herself. She chose a playful pair of pumps with a spiked heel and slipped them on. The fit was perfect.
In the dressing room, Sabela stood in front of the tall, triple mirrors and turned this way and that. One shower and a wardrobe change and already it was like she was seeing a different person.
Would Colin like her selection? If he expected eye candy, was this the sort of thing he wanted? She didn’t want to disappoint, though she couldn’t have said why.
Of course, there was the fact that she owed him, and she knew it.
As she did her hair and makeup, Sabela wondered what was in store for her for the rest of the evening.
From terrified to enticed, she’d come a long way since she’d been forced out of her house and onto a plane. She couldn’t tell if it was to her advantage that she was loosening up, or to her detriment.
She thought of Colin’s inscrutable, smoky eyes and the way he studied her … like she was prey he’d already captured and was toying with until it was time to finish the deed.
She shivered. And right there was the question that begged answering the most.
What deed?
Chapter Eleven
COLIN WAITED AT THE ENTRANCE to the dining room. There were two spots set at the far end of the long table, which could comfortably seat twenty. He had ensured that Marie made one of the most outrageously delicious meals in her repertoire.
This week, no expense would be spared.
If he wanted to woo Sabela, he had to knock her off her feet from the start with his wealth and decadent lifestyle, and Marie was happy to help.
Since Sabela had walked through the door and disarmed him with surprises, Colin had been preparing what he’d say when she joined him at the table. Each time he thought it through, he came up with something better.
It was important that Sabela found him charming and clever, especially with a will like hers. You had to treat people like that in a special way to get them to lower their defenses. And then you could strike. Sabela would never see it coming.
But all his carefully laid strategies flew out the window into the biting cold Alps air when Sabela stepped into the room.
She was lovelier than he ever could have imagined.
The lavender dress she wore was one he’d almost refused when his stylist brought it to his attention, and he was glad now he’d given in to the stylist’s insistence.
The bust plunged low and clung tightly around the waist, amplifying Sabela’s breasts and hips. The skirt reached halfway down her luscious thighs, long enough to be respectable, yet short enough to inspire sinful speculation.
And he had sinful speculation to spare.
He shifted, his physical response to this woman a potential embarrassment.
Colin straightened his back and clasped his hands behind him to make sure he stood proud and tall. “I’m glad you managed to find your way back downstairs,” he said once he finally found his voice.
Sabela grinned a wickedly playful little grin that made his heart thump hard. “Marie left me a map.”
A map? When had he had maps made?
He realized it was a joke and laughed. “I know Haberlin Chalet is big, but it serves its purpose.”
In a place this big, he was able to get away from everyone else and spend time on his own. Solitude was hard to find, and for the past four years, solitude had been Colin’s second strongest craving.
Sabela didn’t speak, but she bunched her brow and hitched an eyebrow as if to question what he meant. An unspoken question like that was one Colin was glad to answer.
“I often use the chalet for business meetings,” he explained. “Having a more isolated area is helpful to keep everybody in the same mindset, and beyond that, some people have a certain expectation when it comes to their lodgings.”
Executive class bigwigs had expensive tastes. With a chalet of his own, Colin was able to make sure their expectations would be exceeded in the most intimidating way possible.
The confusion eased from Sabela’s face. “Oh. I guess that makes sense.”
Colin put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the table. The scent of jasmine perfumed her skin, subtle, but tempting. He wanted to sniff her hair, but resisted.
Out of all the scenarios he’d planned for, he hadn’t expected to find himself in one where he felt such intense attraction. If this was going to work, he needed to remain in control of himself. But he had to admit, this attraction made the seduction he planned a treat to gladly anticipate.
Colin pulled Sabela’s chair out and pushed it in once she was seated. He sat in the adjacent seat at the head of the table.
“Zurchergeschnetzeltes are Marie’s specialty,” he said.
The first time she had made them for him, he’d known he’d made the right choice in keeping her on as his housekeeper. Sabela would love them.
“Zurchergeschnetzeltes?” Sabela asked, navigating the word with difficulty.
There was an honest innocence to her that was enticing. Sabela was tough, but she faced the world with bright-eyed enthusiasm.
“It means cut meat, Zurich style. It’s a veal delicacy. Tonight, Marie will serve some of her finest Swiss dishes.”
Sabela’s face lit up. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Colin.”
Seeing her take so much delight in the treat pleased Colin. He poured them both some of the wine that had been decanted earlier by Marie.
“Tell me about what you do, Sabela Vaughn,” he said simply. “I’d like to hear more about you.”
“Like you don’t already know?” Sabela asked. She raised an eyebrow. “That woman on the phone took all of my information when I applied for help, and I know that you’ve been using it. All the clothes upstairs fit me perfectly, and you’ve never even seen me before to judge my size.”
“And?”
“And so I know that you’ve investigated who I am and what I do.” Sabela lifted her chin. “I’m pretty sure you know that I’ve been a waitress at Pinkie’s Diner for over three years, and you know that waitressing is not what I want to do with my life.”
She was sharp. A thrill of excitement coursed down Colin’s spine. It was refreshing to be with a woman who spoke her mind so freely.
He sipped his wine thoughtfully before speaking. “All right, so say I do know all about how your heart is in fashion design. But that’s just information. It doesn’t tell me how you feel about it. Nothing can compare to hearing you speak about your passions yourself.”
Colin knew about her dreams of attending college to pursue fashion design. He knew that she’d put those plans on the back burner to take care of her brother, and that his accident had stolen Sabela’s dreams.
Stolen dreams and living nightmares. Trevor Vaughn didn’t deserve her sacrifices, her unfailing support.
He locked gazes with her, and he found himself impressed when she didn’t look away. “If nothing else,” he continued, “seeing your lips move will be worth the words. You are ravishing tonight.”
Sabela’s eyes widened, and she took a quick sip of wine to cover her apparent surprise. “I’m not sure if that’s actually a compliment or not, like you don’t much care what I say.”
“Regardless, I meant it as a compliment.”
She appeared to brush her concern aside. “Well, I’ve been designing clothes since I was young. It gave me an outlet to work out some of my problems, and when I found out I was good at it, I started teachi
ng myself to sew so that I could bring the designs I drew to life.”
“And you still do it now? Sew your own designs?”
She did, and he already knew it. The clothes she’d been wearing when she stepped into Haberlin Chalet earlier were of her own design.
“Yes,” Sabela answered. “Sometimes I sell what I make online, but I don’t have much time to focus on selling these days. What I make, I make for me.”
Marie swept in from the kitchen carrying two covered silver platters on a serving tray. She set one before each of them, bowed her head, then with a smile, swept back out again.
Colin removed the lids, revealing the meals beneath. Marie had outdone herself. The aroma tantalized.
“You’ve got enough money in your bank account to quit the diner and launch your career or go to school. So why is it that you haven’t?” Colin tried to ask the question nonchalantly, but it was one that had been nagging at him for weeks.
He’d expected her to quit waitressing when she’d cashed her very first check from him.
“I don’t want to become dependent on someone else,” Sabela replied, expression guarded. “I didn’t know how long I could expect the aid to continue. Nothing lasts forever. I’ve learned that the hard way.”
“Indeed,” Colin replied, knowing the truth of her statement far too intimately. Heavy, ornate silver knife in hand, he sliced the veal steak Marie had prepared. “I know that you’re in debt for a reason, so why don’t you tell me about him.”
Sabela glanced at him, then set her silverware down. The uneasy way she set her lips betrayed her worry. “Him. You mean Trevor, I assume. Why are you asking me to say all of this? You know already. I know you know.”
“Conversation makes for a sweeter meal,” Colin replied breezily. His next words held all the command in his arsenal, subtle and impossible for most people to defy. “Tell me about him, Sabela.”
He was pleased when he saw her shrug slightly. One of many surrenders to come.
She stared at her plate. “I’m in so much debt because my older brother has hefty medical expenses, and I need to take care of him.”
“Why can’t he take care of his debt himself?” he asked.
What she said would be telling, and Colin wished he could probe her thoughts.
“He was in a car accident over four years ago,” she answered. “And now he’s wheelchair bound while he goes through physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Most days, he can’t even get out of bed because he’s in so much pain.”
He did his best to sound sympathetic. “Awful.”
“It’s taken everything I have and more to care for him. If it weren’t for your assistance, we would have been evicted and living on the streets by now.” She poked a fork at her food. “I thank you for the help you’ve given us.”
He leaned in for a little thrust. “My pleasure. And as you know too well now, nothing comes for free. All of which is to say I expect to get a return on my investment. I always do.”
Sabela gazed at him, eyes flashing in the romantic lighting. There was fire inside her. The thrill of a challenge lit in Colin’s blood and stimulated his attraction to her.
“What is it that you want from me, Colin?” she asked bluntly.
He placed his silverware neatly upon his plate. “I told you already. Over the next few days, I want you to accompany me as I go about my usual business. I want you to learn about me and get to know me better.”
“That’s all you want?”
“When my business associates come, you’ll use what you’ve learned about me to play the part of my girlfriend. You’ll charm them. You’ll make them believe I have a relationship any man would be envious of.”
“And what does girlfriend mean? Light touches on the arm? Kissing … sex?”
Sex. Sabela was a beautiful woman, and Colin was eager to take her to bed, but when that happened it would be of her own volition.
But he couldn’t help how his cock hardened at the thought.
“You keep bringing sex up, insisting that I must want it,” he remarked. “Just because I’ve given you money doesn’t mean you need to repay me with your body. Don’t make yourself into a whore, Sabela. You’re better than that.”
That was it, wasn’t it? Why else would she keep circling back around to the thought?
Sabela was silent for too long. Colin looked at her closely and was surprised to see tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “I said that you’re better than a whore. You don’t have to spread your legs to repay me.”
Chapter Twelve
COLIN COULDN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE woman was about.
“May I be excused?” She was already halfway up from her chair when she spoke, tears ready to fall and lips pursed tight.
“What’s gotten into you?” he demanded. Some emotion was acceptable, but her reaction was overwrought and mystifying.
“What’s gotten into me?” she asked, hand on the back of her chair. “Are you serious?”
He stood at his full height, deliberately looming over her. “I am.”
Sabela didn’t back down. “I just flew to a whole new continent without any notice, left behind everything I knew, and faced more uncertainty than you’ve ever known in your whole life, I bet, just so that you could get me in this chalet.”
“And?”
“And it’s a big deal! You tell me that I’m supposed to play your girlfriend, that we’re supposed to ‘do things’ together this week, but you’ve been damn well secretive about everything! How am I supposed to know you’re not going to change your mind and demand that I crawl into your bed?”
Irritation pulsed in Colin’s temple. “I told you I didn’t want a prostitute. Believe me, I could hire one far more cheaply than what I’ve paid for you.”
“There it is. You think you’ve paid for me, for the use of my body.” Sabela argued. “If not for sex, then you want me to hang on you, pretend that I love you, that I’m your girlfriend, that you’re so charming and funny and perfect when you’re really an insulting egomaniac who lives alone in a huge, empty chalet.”
“That’s enough, Sabela. You’re being unreasonable.”
She ignored his warning and charged onward. “There’s a reason you live here alone, and there’s a reason everyone on your staff is terrified of you. I’m starting to see it now. You had me fooled at first, but I know now that you’re a man who doesn’t care for anyone but himself.”
“What could possibly make you think that?” Colin was as taken aback by her courage as he was insulted by her accusations. She didn’t know him.
“I do. There’s a reason a man as handsome as you are lives alone. Think about it.”
Without waiting to be dismissed, Sabela stormed from the room. Colin watched her go, dumbstruck, then chased after her.
He quickly caught her at the foot of the main stairs, grabbing her arm and turning her toward him.
Sabela was practically sputtering with rage.
He kept his voice low, like he’d do with a skittish animal. “I didn’t mean to speak so harshly, Sabela, but you have to realize the situation you’re in. If you do as I ask, then everything will be fine. This doesn’t need to be so difficult.”
“You’re the one who’s making it difficult,” she said. “Set terms. Tell me what is expected of me, and I’ll do it.”
“I expect that you’ll do exactly as I ask, when I ask it. Nothing could be simpler.”
It was the wrong answer. Sabela clenched her fists, pulled her arm from his grasp, and charged up the stairs. This time he did not pursue her.
Instead, he called out after her. “Sabela, come back down here right now.”
She faltered for a moment, then rushed on up.
“I said,” he raised his voice slightly, “to come back down here. Now.”
Finally, she stopped and turned. Her expression was still stormy, but there was some doubt mixed in, too.
“I don’t wan
t to,” she said, her voice smaller than it had been.
“But you have to, because it’s what I want. It’s your obligation, Sabela. You must never forget what you owe me.”
Her response to his command would tell him what he most desired to know. A surge of adrenaline shot through him as he awaited her reaction.
“My obligation.” She nearly whispered it, and he hardly caught the words. He watched her bite on her lush lips.
He wouldn’t speak again. It was all up to her now. He put all his powers of persuasion into his gaze.
She blinked. And then, like the angel she likely was, she tentatively began to descend the stairs.
She was coming down, to him. Exactly as he’d told her to do.
Something twisted deep down in his gut as he watched the beautiful woman do his bidding. Another surrender. Fuck. It was everything he’d dreamed of. No, it was more. Disconcertingly more.
In a move that would give him pause later, he began to climb the staircase, matching the lovely woman step for step. They met halfway up the stairs and looked deeply into one another’s eyes.
With her usual directness, she said, “You didn’t make me come all the way down.”
“It wasn’t necessary. It was enough that you would have done so.”
He observed the way her delicate jaw and neck muscles flexed as she swallowed hard.
“Because that’s what you wanted,” she said.
“Exactly.”
“What else do you want?”
He moved in close to her, near enough that he could nuzzle her sweet-smelling hair. He wanted to lay a hand on her chest and feel her fluttering heartbeat. As it was, he satisfied himself with enjoying the sensation of her radiated body heat.
He chose his next words with care and spoke them low and gently. “Everything, Sabela. I want all of it. And you’ll give it to me, because it will be what you want, too.”
She shuddered, and he allowed a smile of victory to rush across his lips before he pulled back and looked down at his sweet captive bird.