‘But I can’t.’ She stepped back into her apartment and he came in after her. She’d as good as invited him in.
‘Can’t or won’t?’
‘I won’t. We are not in a relationship. This is just a deal, Liev, and only requires perfunctory kisses in public. It does not warrant behind-closed-doors passion.’
For a moment, she thought she saw him flinch, but she had to bring their deal into it. If only to remind him of what she’d claimed last night and to remind herself this wasn’t what she wanted—or needed.
‘My apologies.’ His words were velvet smooth but still that sizzle burned in his eyes. ‘You are so very beautiful, it is hard to remember the terms of our agreement.’
Now it was her turn to flinch. He was reminding her of his power over her—and it had nothing to do with their deal and everything to do with the man himself. ‘You may have blackmailed me in order to get me to represent your company and the acceptance from society you crave, but you will never have anything more of me.’
‘Ah, I see. Saving yourself for Mr Right?’ His words were light and flirtatious, not a hint of anything that suggested any kind of malice. But what he’d said had struck a chord. What would he say if he knew she was a virgin, that she had hardly been kissed? What would he do if she told him just how much she wanted to be kissed by him? A real kiss.
‘Something like that, yes.’ She couldn’t help but goad him as embarrassment made her brash, and was rewarded with the surprised rise of his brows. ‘Goodnight, Liev.’
* * *
As Liev got out of the taxi the next afternoon, he wondered if he had the right address. Everything about the neighbourhood brought back his past. Then he saw Bianca, looking like a flower in the desert as she walked towards him.
‘Why are we here?’ he asked, trying to ignore the fire of desire which rushed through him just from seeing her as it mixed with thoughts of his own youth in an area not dissimilar to this deprived street.
‘The interview.’ Her delicate brows drew together and she looked at him suspiciously. ‘I’ve arranged for it to happen here at the shelter.’
‘Shelter?’ This was all getting too close to his past for comfort. Had she any idea what she was doing? What she was unlocking and forcing him to face?
‘Yes. Bluebird Family Shelter.’
Anger brewed furiously. She really was intent on bringing out his past and exposing it to the world. He was about to tell her no, that this was a mistake, when a young man joined them.
‘Good of you to agree to this, Mr Dragunov. I’m Nick. I run the shelter.’
Liev shook his hand. There was no way out now and he consoled himself that by doing this he’d be highlighting the plight of youngsters without homes. ‘My pleasure.’
‘Great. Let’s go and meet some of the lads.’
Aware they were also promoting their engagement, Liev took Bianca’s hand and followed Nick inside the graffiti-covered walls, his past rushing back at him.
‘Afternoon, Miss B,’ one youth said as they walked through the building to a small walled area outside at the back of the tall brick building, which reminded Liev of a prison.
‘Afternoon.’
For a moment Liev was too stunned by where he was to notice the respect in the lad’s voice and the warmth of Bianca’s as she’d replied. Was this one of her frequently used interview locations?
More of the youngsters greeted her, most regarding him with suspicion. ‘You seem to be well known here.’
‘Supporting this place has been my personal project for over ten years.’ She looked up at him as they stood in the high-walled courtyard, with the sounds of New York City drifting in. ‘I grew up with privileges, well aware that many didn’t.’
‘Without Miss Di Sione’s help, this place would have closed long ago,’ added Nick, and he called over a teenage lad.
Bianca did this? Supported these kids and their families? He looked at her and saw her cheeks colour beneath his scrutiny. He was about to say something when the lad Nick had called over approached. He nodded in a way that showed his respect for her but didn’t damage his toughened exterior. Then he glanced at him and the years fell away. It was like looking at himself twenty years ago.
‘Great to meet you. I’m Liev.’ He didn’t offer to shake hands. He knew well enough how much personal space was valued. The lad nodded solemnly and Liev wished he could reach him, tell him he knew how he felt.
‘Billy will stand with you for a photo,’ offered Nick.
‘Just one.’ Billy spoke and finally made eye contact with him. As he looked into the eyes of his youth, he could feel the warmth of Bianca’s presence, keeping him from sliding back to the nightmare of those days.
‘Billy’s been here on and off with his family for three years,’ said Bianca softly. ‘Just one photo is all we need, Billy. Thanks.’
* * *
Bianca watched as the photographer took the photo, cajoling Billy to pose for at least one more. Then the interviewer asked them questions and Billy slipped away, melting effortlessly into the background. She could feel each question making Liev more tense, more closed off.
The next question was fired at him. ‘You haven’t had a good childhood yourself, I understand?’
She saw Liev glance at Billy, where he lingered in the shadows, as if he’d forgotten everything else, and Bianca’s heart reached out to Liev and the boy he had once been. A boy just like Billy.
‘I was twelve when my parents died. They’d lost everything in a bad business deal and I had nobody, no choice but to live on the streets of St Petersburg.’
Billy stepped back out of the shadows and looked at Liev, making eye contact, which this time seemed full of healthy respect.
‘How did you get where you are now?’ the interviewer asked, obviously intrigued by the connection between Liev and the boy. Just as she was.
‘I did anything I could.’
Billy nodded at this, approving of what he was hearing. Bianca wanted to know more, but sensed Liev’s caution. This was an interview, after all, and she didn’t want him baring his soul, giving away his deepest secrets. She would have to find another way to discover what really lay behind that comment, because right now she wanted nothing more than to protect his past.
‘I’d have given anything for a place like this,’ Liev continued, but she could hear the caution in his tone. ‘The place I stayed in for five years was much tougher.’
Bianca was aware of notes being made. She’d thought bringing him here would be good, that she’d be able to play on the bad-boy-makes-good image the press loved, but right now she felt as if she’d lost Liev to that past.
‘Thank you, gentlemen,’ she cut in efficiently, ending the interview. ‘I think you have enough now.’
Billy had gone. Disappeared from sight. Was that how Liev had lived? Was that why she couldn’t find out anything about him?
Liev turned to look at her, his eyes harder than she’d ever seen them before. She met his gaze, matching his fury. This was exactly the sort of promotion that would achieve all the open doors he craved. Had he really expected to keep everything he’d ever done quiet and away from prying eyes?
‘You should have warned me what today was all about.’ His words were gentle enough, but she didn’t miss the sharp edge to them.
‘What did you expect, Liev? More red-carpet shots? That’s not the way to the hearts of New York society.’ The brittle edge to her response was born out of disappointment and despair. She really needed that bracelet, and the sooner, the better. She pinned all her hopes on this interview. This was exactly the right thing, but somehow it had softened her heart even more to him. She’d seen something raw and profound within him as he’d spoken, all the while looking at Billy.
‘I said I didn’t want my past used.’
‘This is my personal charity, Liev, and the interview you’ve just given will benefit Billy and all the other kids here as much as you.’
* * *
She intrigued him and he wanted to know more. Much more.
‘You surprise me,’ he said, trying to rein in his thoughts.
‘Because I’m not the spoilt little rich girl you thought I was?’ The spike of fury in her words was clear, as was the glitter of anger in her eyes.
‘There’s more to you than you let people know and I hope that over the next weekend we will both get to know one another better.’
‘You make it sound as if it’s more...’ He saw her hesitancy in her face. ‘Like a lovers’ holiday.’
‘That is exactly what it is supposed to appear, and if you get it right, Bianca, and the engagement exclusive works, it could be the last time you will have to endure my company.’
‘It will work,’ she said firmly. ‘Email me the details.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
BIANCA WAS STILL reeling with the shock over Liev’s romantic getaway plans as the yacht arrived at a private island in the Bahamas. Not only had he set up the exclusive interview and photoshoot, but he’d whisked her away to the most romantic setting of white sands, blue sea and endless sunshine. A lovers’ paradise, one that should feel as good as a prison, trapping her with him and the ever-increasing desire she felt for him. It could be the warmth of the sun, or the relaxing time on the yacht along with champagne, but she didn’t feel that in the least.
‘How did you manage to set this up?’ She took the hand he offered her and stepped onto the wooden jetty, glad she could hide her shock behind sunglasses. ‘And find this idyllic setting?’
‘With all the current interest in our engagement, an exclusive wasn’t hard to negotiate, especially when I invited them to my secluded island home.’ The drawl of his voice was soft and incredibly sexy and she wondered if the sun had already gone to her head; then what he actually said finally registered.
‘Your island?’
‘Is that something you hadn’t found out about me, Bianca?’ He didn’t let her hand go. Instead he pulled her closer and she went willingly, moving so close until she was almost pressing herself against his body. ‘Maybe being here will allow us both to discover more about each other.’
‘Not with a magazine shoot going on.’ She laughed softly, hardly able to understand just how she already felt so relaxed being here with him. What would it be like if they were here for no other reason than to get to know one another? The thought sent a sizzle of excitement zipping around her and she sighed in relief knowing that photographers and their assistants would invade any peace they had, that they wouldn’t be as alone as it first appeared.
‘That is not happening until Saturday morning.’ He looked intently into her eyes and she almost forgot herself, almost melted completely against him.
‘Saturday morning! But it’s only Friday now. We can’t stay here alone together until then.’
‘We can and we will.’ He took her sunglasses from her face and she just let him. ‘I like to see your eyes, to see your thoughts in them, and right now, I see panic. But I promise you, Bianca, apart from playing your role at the photoshoot, nothing will happen here between us—unless you want it to.’
‘So why hide away here for several days?’
‘Bianca, do you really need to ask? The magazine will feel as if they have been invited into our own private love affair, able to glimpse the love we have for one another. It will also give us time to perfect that loving couple moment they will be expecting.’
Deep down she knew he was right. It would be exactly what the magazine readers would most want to see. But two days here, alone with a man who was unlocking a Bianca she never knew existed, was not a prospect she relished. But he had said nothing would happen that she didn’t want.
‘You’re right,’ she said, and she pulled her hand free of his and took back the sunglasses he held out to her. ‘We’ll do it your way.’
‘The villa is this way.’ Before she could say anything, he’d taken her hand and was walking along the wooden jetty which spanned across crystal blue waters towards the white sands, fringed by palm trees and lush green plants which shielded the villa from view.
Again that sizzle of anticipation raced through her. Two days alone with Liev. But would that be enough to get to know the real man? He led her along a pathway through the palm trees and she caught the first glimpse of the villa. It wasn’t as big as she’d first imagined; in fact, it was small to the point of being cosy and nestled in the palm trees. Beyond it she could see the ocean. It was so romantic, exactly the kind of place she could imagine the lovers from the letter she’d found when she was younger coming to.
The coolness of the interior was welcoming as they entered. It was furnished more traditionally than she’d ever have imagined a man like Liev wanting, but to her it was simply perfect.
‘It’s such a beautiful home.’ He let her hand go and she wandered to the windows and looked out over the ocean, its sparkling waters looking so inviting. She hadn’t swum in the sea for so long.
‘I’ll show you to your room and then we can take a walk on the beach, maybe even a swim.’ He stood in the doorway, his casual clothes suiting him as much as the tuxedo he’d worn for the party. She didn’t miss the mention of her room and relaxed. He obviously intended to keep his word. Nothing would happen if she didn’t want it to. The problem was, she wanted it to.
‘A walk would be nice, but I haven’t come prepared for swimming.’ She regretted that he hadn’t given her more information when he’d told her they would be away for the weekend. The thought of a swim in the ocean was very enticing.
He walked from the living area and she followed him into a lovely and bright bedroom with doors which opened out onto a small shady garden and the beach beyond, basking in the afternoon sun. He picked up a package from the bed and turned to her.
‘This might help.’ His voice had deepened and his accent had become more pronounced, but his expression had softened, as if being in the sunshine was stripping away the hardness she’d become accustomed to.
Her eyes met his and she scanned them for any hint of what it might help with, but as she took the neatly gift-wrapped box from him, she guessed what was inside the package. ‘Thank you.’
She was stunned by this thoughtful gesture. It was one she hadn’t believed a man as ruthless as Liev would be capable of. It would, though, make a swim more intimate, when she was wearing his choice of swimwear.
‘I’ll meet you outside when you are ready.’ Before she could say any more, he left, closing the door to her room behind him. Never had a man bought her a present, and unable to contain her curiosity, she pulled the red bow undone and opened the flat box. Inside was a red bikini and the most delicately beautiful cover-up she’d ever seen.
She blushed until her cheeks matched the bikini at the thought of wearing it in front of him, but she would look incredibly prudish and ungrateful if she stayed in the summer dress she was wearing. Besides, a swim in the sea was becoming ever more inviting.
* * *
Liev watched as Bianca moved out onto the terrace, pleased to see she’d accepted his gift. The sheer red chiffon cover-up wasn’t really doing its job and he could see her soft curves as the warm wind pressed the fabric against her skin. She looked uncomfortable and vulnerable with her face almost free of make-up and her hair pulled up into a haphazard chignon which left some dangling sexily around her face.
‘Red suits you,’ he said as she walked towards him and was rewarded with a slight flush to her cheeks. In fact, red suited her too much.
‘Swimwear is another look you wear well,’ she said with that impish smile he’d seen briefly before. So she wasn’t immune to him and neither was she embarrassed by him standing waiting for her in his swimming trunks and white shirt open. Was he fin
ally beginning to melt the ice princess?
‘If we walk a little first, there is a nice sheltered cove, perfect for swimming.’
As she fell into step beside him, he remained silent, waiting for her to decide the topic of conversation, hoping that eventually it would come round to what he wanted to know about her brother and ICE. By playing it cool, he hoped to lure her into lowering all those barriers she had up against the world and him in particular.
‘How long have you had this place?’ She looked out at the ocean as they strolled along and he couldn’t resist taking in her long legs as she walked in the edge of the surf. The pull of attraction was becoming much stronger and harder to resist, just as it had each time he’d seen her, especially after the revelations of a much softer and caring Bianca at the shelter. On the way to the island there had been moments when he thought she felt the same way and his original plan of nothing ever happening between them was paling into insignificance.
He wanted her, more than he’d wanted any woman. At the same time he resented her more than any other woman. She was the spoilt little rich girl, pandered to and pampered with every luxury. But that opinion had changed. Or was it his increasing desire for her that changed it?
‘I bought it last year but haven’t yet put my mark on it.’ An island paradise had been something his parents had talked of wanting. A place to escape the harshness of Russian winters. He’d achieved that for them, but had much more to do yet.
‘I like it just the way it is.’ She looked at him, her sunglasses shielding her eyes, hiding her thoughts, but it couldn’t hide the relaxed smile or the genuine interest in her voice.
‘This is the best place to swim,’ he said, wanting to change the subject and give his mind and body something other than Bianca to focus on. He pulled off his shirt, dropped it to the warm sand and waded into the water. When he was waist-high in the ocean, he turned to look at her.
She was removing the cover-up and placing it on the sand next to his shirt along with her sunglasses. The thought of their clothes lying together on the beach only increased the throb of desire which coursed through him.
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