“And you are so expressive. I can never get enough of your face when it’s contorted with pleasure, knowing it’s the pleasure I bring you.”
“You bring me lots of pleasure,” she said, mumbling her agreement.
“Now I’m going to feed you strawberries.” His eyes went to her breasts. “And then I’m going to fuck you softly.”
Her stomach muscles clenched in anticipation. He moved and pulled her head into his lap. Kat stared at the patterns in the branches of the trees, basking in the feeling of his hands in her hair, stroking it gently. There were these times, when Lann was so exceptionally tender, and times when he kept a deliberate coolness, a distance between them. Would she survive when the time came to walk away? Deep down she was worried that Lann was spoiling her for any other man.
“Why the frown, krasavitsa?” he said, tracing the line of her brow with a finger.
“I was just thinking that no one will ever measure up to you.” She tried to make light of it. “Where will I ever find someone who knows how to strangle me and make it feel like the hottest thing in the world?”
He remained serious. “Don’t forget your promise, bella. After thirty days, you will walk away, and never think of me again. Our time, you and me, we are in the present, not in the future, and I don’t want to be your past, either. Just live with me. Now. That’s all I ask.”
“So you’ll forget? Just like that?”
He suddenly seemed sad. “You have me in the palm of your hand, my beautiful bella. All it will take is the gentle squeeze of your fingers, and I am crushed. That kind of power—a man can never forget.” He kissed her. “Now, stop talking.”
His hand moved down her body to her breasts. From the way his jaw set, the muscles bunching, she knew that despite what he had said, he wasn’t going to be gentle this time.
* * * *
Kat needed a lay-in on Saturday morning to sleep off Friday’s adventure. She woke up shortly before eleven, took a quick shower, and pulled on her bikini and a sundress.
Alfonso intercepted her in the hallway. “How was the excursion, Miss?”
She had fallen asleep in the car on the way home. Lann had insisted on carrying her to bed. She couldn’t remember much after that, except that he had been exceptionally tender with her, holding her for a long time before going to his own bed.
“It was wonderful. Thank you,” she said, and even managed not to blush.
“Sir has invited you for brunch by the pool, if Miss wishes.”
“That’ll be perfect.”
In fact, she was starving. Lann sat at their usual table, working on his laptop. When he saw her, he closed the screen. “Good morning, beautiful.”
She flushed a little. “I passed out.” She stopped next to his chair. “And it wasn’t from drinking.”
He reached out and pulled her into his lap. “You were amazing. You always are.” He kissed her. “Hungry?”
“Starving.”
“I’ve ordered poached eggs and smoked salmon. Will that do?”
“Perfect.”
Alfonso arrived with their brunch on cue, as usual, but when Kat moved to get up, Lann held her tighter. She stilled in his arms, looking at him curiously. Lann pulled her plate closer, and started feeding her. She obediently opened her mouth for every forkful he brought to her lips. Despite the intimate act, he seemed distracted, thoughtful. She watched him intently, waiting for him to speak his mind.
Only after her plate was empty did he say, “I have to leave for business next week.”
Disappointment washed over her. “Oh.” It wasn’t as if they had that much time left.
“It’s not something I can refuse,” he said apologetically.
“Of course. When are you leaving?”
He leaned forward and poured coffee into her cup. “Monday. I’ll be back the following Monday.” He added sugar and milk and handed her the cup. “Would you like to stay here, or go back to your place?”
He seemed strangely agitated. Kat folded her hands around the cup. “If you don’t mind, I’ll stay. I work well here. I’m making good progress.”
His shoulders relaxed. He swept her hair over her shoulder and kissed her neck. “Alfonso will look after you. If you need anything, you only have to ask.”
“Thank you. Where are you going?”
“Out of town.”
She didn’t ask more questions, as Lann closed up as he always did when they breached the subject of his business.
“Katherine, please feel free to invite your friends over if you wish. While you are staying here, this is your home.”
“Thank you,” she said again. His words had touched something in her soul, like a finger that pressed on a bruise. This wasn’t really her home. Not forever.
“Do you want to go for a swim?” he said brightly, patting her ass.
“Alright.” Kat knew Lann had cleverly sensed her mood.
* * * *
The following week was quiet. Kat buried herself in her work and had a long chat with Charles, who was happy with her progress. The kitchen and cleaning staff weren’t particularly talkative, which suited her fine. She could write and do her research without distractions. On Thursday, when the museum and library were open, she worked in one of the reading rooms. Marianne was curious about her relationship with Lann, but Kat refused to elaborate, and Marianne was too polite to push the issue.
By Friday afternoon, she was exhausted, but happy with her efforts. She missed Lann, and when most of the staff left for the weekend, she suddenly felt lonely. He hadn’t called, not that she expected him to, of course. It wasn’t as if she was his girlfriend.
At six o’clock, she decided to call it a week. She was ahead of schedule, and her brain felt mushy. As she was shutting down her laptop, Alfonso entered the library with a glass of cherimoya juice.
“Thank you. That’s so kind,” she said, as he left it on her desk. “Has everyone gone for the weekend?”
“Yes, Miss, everyone except security.”
Lann always left the convent heavily guarded. Kat couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of the treasures kept inside, or for his safety. The kidnapping of wealthy businessmen for ransom was an unfortunate crime in this part of the world. On the other hand, maybe he was involved in something illegal. It wasn’t the first time she considered the possibility, but like an ostrich, she buried her head in the sand.
“Have you heard from Lann?” she asked.
“Sir called this morning, Miss. He asked if you were well cared for.”
Disappointment surged through her. He had not asked to speak to her. She forced a smile. “You take good care of me.” A thought occurred to her. “Alfonso, Lann won’t be back until Monday. Why don’t you take the weekend off? I can look after myself.”
His eyes widened. “I have never missed a day of duty in my life, Miss.”
He turned for the door, but she said, “Lann said you have been in his service for a long time.”
“Many years, Miss.”
“Do you ever take time off?”
“Sir will only reside here for a month or two every year. When he’s not here, it’s my job to take care of his home, but I do have a lot of free time then.”
“Oh.” The knowledge came as a shock, even if she should have known as much. After this month, he’d be off, to wherever it was he went for his business, his work, his life, and she’d still be here, but he wouldn’t return for another year. By then, she’d be gone. They’d never see each other again.
“If this is his holiday house, then where is home?”
“Why, New York of course, Miss.”
He said it as if she should have known, but Lann had never mentioned this to her.
Alfonso inclined his head. “If there is nothing else, Miss...”
“No. Thank you.”
Kat watched him leave. She suddenly felt sad. All alone. On a Friday night. Missing Lann. What she needed was to celebrate her week’s hard work. She changed
into her bikini and swam a few laps. Lann had an excellent selection of music, but he preferred classical, and what she needed was something more lively. She connected her phone to Lann’s central music system and chose an album she liked. Then she poured herself a Pisco Sour, and sipped it in the sun by the pool. Slowly, she felt the energy seep back into her brain. Her mind had been busy, but her body not. With the music and the drink her mood lifted, and when she was bored with swimming and bronzing, she prepared a light dinner. If she had asked, Alfonso would have done it for her, but she needed the distraction. She missed Diana. Maybe she was free. She dialed her friend from her lonely table in the kitchen.
“Hey, stranger,” Diana exclaimed. “I miss you.”
Kat laughed. “Me too. In fact, I’m free tonight, and I’m in a party mood.”
“Where is Mr. Tall, Blond and Mysterious?”
“Not sure. A business trip. He’s not due back until Monday. Let’s do something.”
“Okay. What do you have in mind?”
“Music. I feel like dancing. Why don’t we grab a couple of drinks at a bar in Bella Vista?”
“Sounds good. There’s a new tango bar. I can get us in.”
“Great. I’ll meet you there at ten. Give me the address.”
Kat took special care with her appearance. All week she had dressed in comfortable lounge pants and T-shirts, but tonight she wanted to feel like a woman again. She chose a turquoise dress covered in sequins, with her high, midnight blue sandals. She applied her make-up carefully, going for a darker look and daring red lipstick. She styled her naturally wavy hair into more obedient curls. When she was done, she dabbed her favorite perfume on her wrists, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress had a high neck and a low back, the fabric draping softly over the crests of her hips, showing off the diamond detail on the elastic of her thong. She dropped the keys for the front door in her purse. She didn’t want to have to wake Alfonso by buzzing if she returned late.
The club was already busy when Kat and Diana walked in. They only got in because Diana’s new friend, Jack, was a tango dancer who performed at the club. He got them VIP entrance and a table near the dance floor.
“This is so Latino,” Diana said over the music, sipping her Pisco.
“How do you know Jack?”
“Did a photo shoot for his portfolio last week.”
Kat lifted a brow. “And?”
Diana laughed. “Nothing like that. I’m not attracted to him. But he may have friends ... if you know what I mean.” She winked.
The dance floor opened at midnight. Kat admired the skill with which the locals danced the salsa. The girls moved their hips effortlessly, but she knew from experience that it was deceptively difficult. Jack came to say hello, and returned a little while later with a group of friends.
Diana was batting her eyelashes at Enrico, a young engineer, and Kat watched with a smile as he pulled her onto the dance floor for the first tango of the evening. Diana was gorgeous in a short purple dress with silver straps crisscrossing over her back. It was clear that Enrico was smitten. Poor guy didn’t stand a chance. Kat was shaking her head, contemplating Enrico’s sure fate when Jack held his hand to her. The beat changed.
“Come on, Kat. You can’t sit on the sideline all night.”
She shook her head and looked over his shoulder at Diana’s swaying hips. “I can’t dance like that. I’ll wait for another song.”
“It’s dead easy. I’ll show you.” He grinned. “I’m not a professional dancer for nothing.”
Kat allowed him to pull her to her feet and onto the floor.
“What is this music?” she said.
He had to bring his mouth close to her ear to be heard. “Reggeathon. Don’t you like it?”
“Yes, it’s good. I’m just not sure how to move to it.”
“Like this.” He placed his hands on her hips and rotated them. “Relax. You’ll get the hang of it.”
Diana brushed up against Kat. “Hey, girlfriend. I’m going to get some drinks.”
“I’ll come with you,” Kat offered.
“No,” Jack said, “you’re just getting into this. Now turn.” He twirled her. She moved under his arm, and when he pulled her back, she collided with his chest.
“Sorry,” she said. “I warned you. Better watch your toes. These heels are sharp.”
“Shit,” she heard Diana say.
Kat turned to her friend. Diana had stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the bar. Following her gaze, Kat froze too. Lann leaned against the counter, and he was watching her with stormy eyes.
Chapter Six
Lann looked impossibly handsome in a black suit and open neck shirt. The jacket stretched over his broad shoulders and the slacks hugged his narrow hips. His blond hair hung loose. Kat knew his relaxed stance was faked. She could see the frostiness in his stare as he looked at Jack, even from the distance. The ruby in his ring caught the light as he straightened. Sensual lips pulled into a smile, but it wasn’t friendly.
Oblivious to her consternation, Jack took Kat’s hand to pull her back to him. She glanced at him and shook her head. Lann was making his way to them, his stride predatory. Kat looked on as he crossed the floor with deliberate steps and stopped short of them.
“Hello, Lann.” Judging by Diana’s high-pitched voice, she, too, had noticed the daggers Lann shot at Jack.
By now, Jack had his hand on Kat’s arm to get her attention.
“Take your hands off her,” Lann said, his voice rising above the music. He wasn’t shouting, but the threat in his tone made Kat shiver.
“Who the hell are you?” Jack said. He did back off, though. He gave Kat an accusing look. “Is he your boyfriend?”
Before she could answer, Lann’s hand wrapped around the back of her neck. He pulled her against him, his other hand going to her naked back, his fingers splayed possessively across her skin.
“God, I missed you,” he said, and then he kissed her in a way that could leave no doubt in anyone’s mind what kind of relationship they shared.
She was breathless when he finally let her go. Diana gaped.
Jack gave her a cool look. “Next time, don’t lead men on if you’re taken.”
Kat gasped. “I did not lead you on. It was only a dance. And you insisted.” Lann tensed next to her. She laid her hand on his arm. “Let’s go.”
Lann didn’t move. “Apologize to Katherine,” he said to Jack.
“She owes me an apology.”
Lann’s voice was measured. “I think you misinterpreted her pity for interest.”
“Excuse me?” Jack narrowed his eyes.
“Say thank you for the dance she gave you because she pitied you, and apologize for insulting her.”
“She was wrong!”
“The only one wrong here is you.”
“Fuck you both.”
Lann’s hand shot out. Instead of hitting Jack like Kat feared, Lann wrapped his large hand around the dancer’s neck and lifted him off his feet.
Kat cried out and grabbed Lann’s arm. “Lann, put him down. He’s not worth it.”
Jack’s eyes bulged. His hands clawed at Lann’s fingers.
“Lann,” Kat begged, “please, put him down.”
Her lover glanced at her then, and after another second, unceremoniously dropped Jack.
Lann turned to Diana, who had been looking on with huge eyes. “My apologies for the unpleasantness. The bill’s on me.”
The brave Diana actually cowered. Without another word, Lann took Kat’s arm and pushed her in front of him from the club and into the Jaguar parked on the curb.
For the thirty minutes of the drive home, Lann said nothing. Too afraid to open the floodgates of his anger, Kat held her tongue. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Her stomach was in knots, and she hadn’t even done anything wrong.
At home, Lann kept his hand firmly on her upper arm as he guided her to his bedroom. Inside, he slammed the door, releas
ed her, and stood watching her with his arms crossed.
Kat rubbed her hands over her arms. She found Lann’s silence worse than his wrath.
Not able to stand it any longer, she bit out, “Just say what your problem is.”
His eyes shimmered. “My problem?” His muscles flexed. “You need to ask? I go away for a week and at the first opportunity, you seek out a boy to paw you.”
Kat’s jaw dropped. “He didn’t paw me. We were dancing.”
“Looking like that?” His gaze moved over her.
She placed her hands on her hips. “I’ve worked a long, hard week and I needed to go out and have some fun.”
“Tempting other men?”
Her anger flared. “I don’t fuck every man I meet, Lann. You’re the exception.”
“Don’t make this about us.” His eyes narrowed. “This is about you breaking our agreement. He had his hands all over you. I thought you understood the rules.”
“It was only a dance,” she said, exasperated.
“Don’t you know what he was thinking?”
“He was enjoying the dance, as I was. Nothing more.”
“His dick was hard for you.”
“Stop it!” she said, shivering with contained emotion. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t own me. You’re not even my boyfriend.”
“We have an arrangement, Katherine. You agreed to these rules. Let me remind you, as you seem to forget easily, I said no touching other men while I’m fucking you.”
Kat balled her fists at her side. “You’re acting crazy. It was innocent. I wasn’t going to fuck anyone. What do you take me for?” She shook even more. “Do you think I do what we do with every man I meet? Is it because I said yes to you too soon that you think I’m easy?”
“I don’t think that.” His voice was heated. “And that’s not the issue.”
“Then what is?”
“I turn my back and you defy me. I had to leave an important business meeting to pull your very exposed ass from another man’s arms.”
He left a meeting to come and drag her from the club? “Where were you, anyway?”
“Buenos Aires.”
“Argentina!” she exclaimed. “How did you get here so fast?”
Aeromancist: The Beginning Page 9