by Aimee Duffy
He’d seen her in non-existent shorts, a tiny cocktail dress which made his blood heat and now he could add undies to the list.
But none of it could have prepared him for what he saw now.
Taking Manuel’s hand, she stepped out of the limo. First he only noticed the plunging neckline and his gaze followed the cut of the material to the curve of her breasts and then further, down to the flash of toned, tanned stomach above her navel.
Fire ripped through his veins. Ric gulped down the last of the champagne. It didn’t help.
She turned to him, a smile of triumph curved her hot-red lips, flashing bright, white teeth. He opened his mouth—to say what, he had no idea—but then she stepped out from behind the car door and his mind blanked.
His gaze was drawn down over the clingy fabric which hugged every delectable curve of her body. The bronze silk flowed down to her ankles, but it by no means covered her legs. A slit cut through the material, up past her bare hipbone. The pulse in his groin grew more prominent as he prayed she wore high legged knickers and hadn’t gone without.
A long, supple leg poked all the way out of the slit as she strode toward him. He was frozen to the spot and his mind seemed to have crashed south.
Pausing in front of him, Alexa tilted her head to the side and looked up. ‘You like?’
Too much.
He remembered his promise to himself. Straightening and dragging in a breath through his teeth, Ric forced himself to concentrate. ‘I said formal, Alexa.’ He frowned to drive home his point.
‘This—’ She spun around, exhibiting golden skin he ached to drag his teeth over. ‘—is as formal as you’ll get from me.’
Her smile, filled with mischief, tipped his libido over the edge. He grabbed her hips and pulled her flush against him. Humour fled her expression as her head tilted back and her eyes sparkled shiny platinum. Ric didn’t know what she’d see, but he could guess. His hunger pulsed in his groin in time with his rapid heartbeats. Her pupils dilated, and he knew then he wasn’t the only one feeling this crazed pull between them.
‘This—’ He drew a finger down the silky skin on her naked back, pausing when it met the material over the curve of her buttocks ‘—is not formal.’ Her tremble vibrated through him.
Alexa planted her palms on his chest and her breathing sped. Her tongue poked out and moistened her lips. Irritation forgotten, he lowered his head. As he drew closer he could taste her sweet breath. Every cell inside him screamed to plunder her mouth and take all she had to offer, and he knew from her pliant body and come-to-bed eyes that she would definitely offer, whether she was still angry at him or not. His hands, now settled on hips that were exactly as firm as he’d imagined, itched to slip through the split and find out whether she did wear anything beneath the scrap.
Alexa’s eyes closed and her lips parted. His hands were an inch away and his body hummed in anticipation.
‘Ric, darling. There you are!’
Ric snapped out of the spell Alexa held over him and turned his attention to his mother, Maria Castillo, who was walking toward them from the boathouse. His whole body ran cold. Alexa tried to pull out of his hold, but he tightened his grip reflexively.
Ric hated being indebted to anyone and the fact he owed Maria and Antonio more than he could ever repay made him uncomfortable. They’d adopted him to protect his past with their name and help him start a new life. He’d thrown it back in their faces, using their money to fund his obsession to find a new high jumping out of planes, speedboat racing and whatever else caught his interest.
Now he wanted to prove he could change, be trusted enough to pay them back by making their hotel and new resort in Marbella flourish. Maybe even go into the new resort as a partner, not just an employee. The fact they had handed him the management of Hotel Castillo after all he’d done made him more determined to prove himself.
‘Maria,’ he acknowledged. ‘I’d like you to meet my date, Alexa Green.’
Maria beamed at Alexa, who he released, grateful for the interruption. Kissing Alexa would have been a colossal mistake. Though there’d been a time when he wouldn’t have hesitated to seduce her for gain, he wasn’t that person any more. And he wanted that part of his past to stay buried. If what he had done became public knowledge, the Castillos’ reputation would be tarnished beyond repair. Dating someone with her bad press would be like digging up everything he was ashamed of and announcing it to the world.
Using her fame to his advantage, however, was a risk he’d take for the charity.
Alexa turned to the older woman and extended her hand. ‘Mrs Castillo, you have a lovely home.’
Ric couldn’t believe Alexa recognised the other woman. Maria and her husband were well known in Spain for their expanding chain of luxury hotels and charity work, but he hadn’t thought the news of their success would spread to London or if it did, that it would be the kind of news to interest Alexa.
‘Thank you. Where did you get your dress? It’s stunning.’
Ric stiffened. He was reminded yet again how little the silk number covered. It was entirely inappropriate. His irritation returned full force.
Not to mention the way it chiselled away at the resistance he’d spent the day building up towards her. Alexa answered Maria and went on to talk about shoes. He held onto his irritation with a death grip. Inviting her tonight had been a mistake. People would take one look at her on his arm and he could kiss their presence at his function goodbye. After all, what self-respecting businessman would date someone as wild and inappropriate as Alexa?
Flowing champagne, good food and boring conversation seemed to make the stick up Ric’s ass more apparent. Alexa kept a polite smile on her face as he stiffly marched her from one mind-numbing introduction to another, his hand never leaving her hip.
Her skin hadn’t stopped prickling since she’d seen the way he’d eyed her when she left the limo—the look she’d been both dreading and anticipating all day. The one that said he wouldn’t mind tearing the dress from her body with his teeth, then showing her what his idea of fun really was…
Get your head out of the gutter, girl.
Then the almost kiss. Her heart pounded remembering. She’d forgotten that she was still angry at him and submitted to his hunger. She’d even felt the same feral attraction she saw in his eyes, an attraction she needed to get over quick. Thank god Mrs Castillo had interrupted them or she’d have been one frisk away from ending up like her mother.
Her eyes flickered to Ric. He sported a charming smile while he nattered in Spanish to a couple who couldn’t speak English. She wondered again why he tensed up when Mrs Castillo had appeared. Maybe he was grateful she’d interrupted them—or irritated—but he looked uncomfortable more than anything.
The fire in her belly, and her desperation to hide it, made the party more interesting than it should have been. Throughout, she managed to keep her business head on and treated the night like she would if she were scouting clients for Together. And she had the feeling Ric was scouting too, but no idea why.
As she glanced around at the décor, she felt like she was in a fairy-tale. Everything was shiny and grand. The lighting highlighted the white table cloths with pink and baby blue trimmings. A huge, crystal chandelier sporting five tiers centred the massive dance floor and a band dressed in tuxedos played on the stage at the far back of the room. The place oozed money and class and made her a little uncomfortable. It was too similar to the parties she’d been dragged to by her father after her mother died.
‘Mr and Mrs Santos, this is Alexa Green.’ Ric introduced her to an elderly man with a twenty something year old wife.
Alexa noticed that after he introduced her to Mrs Castillo he stopped referring to her as his date. It was around the same time he started to act like someone had shoved the stick up his ass.
Alexa held her hand out and allowed Mr Santos to brush the back with his lips. His wife threw her a death glare, then turned to Ric with a sultry glint in her eye
. Alexa stepped closer to Ric. She may not be dating him, and didn’t even particularly like him, but it was rude to eye up other people’s partners, and so blatantly. Alexa decided she didn’t like the skinny blonde.
Ric’s hand tightened on her hip.
‘A pleasure to meet you, novia,’ Mr Santos crooned while his wife remained eerily silent.
‘The pleasure’s all mine.’ She said what was expected with a smile. Her father had taught her well.
‘Enrique, the whole place is buzzing about the charity ball you’re hosting next month. I’m assuming your presence here tonight is to secure our attendance?’
Trying to keep the surprise from her expression, she turned to look up at Ric. The charming smile he’d worn all night returned and a husky laugh escaped him. Alexa shivered all over.
‘You’ve caught me.’ He clapped the old man on the back. ‘It’s for a good cause. There are too many children living on the streets in Spain and it isn’t the government’s priority to help. Your support would be appreciated.’
Alexa ground her teeth to stop her mouth gaping. She wouldn’t have pegged Ric as the caring type. Especially about someone he couldn’t gain anything from. The fire in her belly morphed into a warm glow. She gulped down her champagne. Damn. She hadn’t expected him to have a heart in that magnificent chest.
Heart or not, don’t go there.
‘Of course we’ll be there.’ Mr Santos pulled his wife to his side. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.
Alexa felt a pang for the old man. He deserved better than a gold digger.
‘And I hope to see your beautiful Alexa.’
Only having a week left on her holiday, she opened her mouth to explain she would have to return to London.
‘Of course Alexa will be there.’ Ric squeezed her hip in what felt like a warning. ‘In fact, Alexa’s helping me organise the event.’ Another squeeze. Harder this time.
Uh, uh, no way.
She wasn’t going to allow him to use her, and he had nothing to blackmail her with this time. Her father had used her mother for his gain so many times she’d sworn she would never let anyone do the same. And Ric—the big sneak-freak—was trying to do exactly that.
‘I’m sorry, Mr Santos. I’m flying back to London next week. I hope you enjoy it.’
Ric’s arm stiffened around her. ‘Alexa, may I have a word?’ He spoke through gritted teeth.
‘Actually, I’d like another drink, if you don’t mind?’ She fluttered her eyelashes innocently, all the while knowing she was ticking him off, if his clenched jaw was anything to go by. Well, he wasn’t the only who was miffed. ‘Thank you, sweetie.’
Ric, obviously too straight laced to cause a scene, released her and left to find a waiter—or ditch her. Alexa’s lips quirked.
‘Trouble in paradise?’ The blonde parasite’s face twisted into a smile.
‘Not at all. In fact, Ric and I aren’t dating. I’m merely accompanying him for the evening,’ Alexa said, while trying her hardest not to give blondie the finger and tell her exactly what she thought of her gold-digging agenda.
‘Such a shame,’ Mr Santos said. ‘You two make an attractive couple.’
‘Yes, Alexa is a very beautiful woman.’
Ric’s tight voice sent a jolt of shock down her spine. She turned to him. He handed her a champagne flute, his face impassive. From the stiff lines of his shoulders, the hardness of his jaw, she reckoned his compliment was little more than polite etiquette. Irritation simmered in her veins.
Stick-insect stepped forward then, a sultry smile spread her silicone-filled lips. Alexa wanted to say something rude, something that would wipe the smile away. Especially when Mrs Santos directed that smile at Ric.
She touched the material of Alexa’s gown above her hip. ‘Where did you buy this dress, Mr Castillo? It’s beautiful.’
Mrs Santos ran a hand down the silk covering Alexa’s thigh. Her head spun to face Alexa, shock widening her eyes. ‘How did you find underwear so seamless?’
Alexa stepped back from the girl’s touch. Her irritation had hit its peak when the skinny bimbo assumed Ric had bought the dress. Mrs Santos feeling her up, like she was just another tool to get into Ric’s pants, made her blood boil. Now it brimmed over at the attempt to embarrass Alexa in front of the men.
Well, it would take a lot more than her knickerless state to embarrass her—blondie picked a bitch-fest with the wrong girl.
‘Actually, I bought the dress in London,’ Alexa smirked at the gold-digger. ‘Oh, and I’m not wearing any knickers.’
Mr Santos’ face turned scarlet, but an amused smile curved his lips. His wife shot another death glare. ‘I suppose we shouldn’t expect any less from a spoilt heiress, isn’t that right darling?’ She turned to her husband. His mouth gaped. ‘Alexa is the daughter of Robert Green. You remember we stayed at The Crystal? She’s in the news all the time for her trashy behaviour.’
The blood drained from Alexa’s face as understanding dawned on Mr Santos’ expression. If Ric really hadn’t known who she was before, he had a good idea now. He remained wooden and silent beside her. The only word she could think to throw back at the witch with a capital B wasn’t very polite at all. In fact, she reckoned it would get her thrown out of the party. Maybe even Spain.
Mr Santos turned to Ric. ‘I hope your function goes well. I don’t think my wife and I will be attending. Enjoy your evening.’
He tugged his wife away as Ric bid him farewell in Spanish.
Alexa had never been so angry or affronted in her life. Her body almost throbbed with both emotions. There was no way she was going to meet any more of the rich and pompous—especially if Ric was going to spout waffle to score guests and try to use her again. It seemed she’d been right about the scouting.
The band began to play a Sinatra number she recognised. Snaring Ric’s hand, she dragged him to the dance floor amongst the other guests, all swaying to the beat. Having no other options for privacy, she would have to chew him out here where they’d be close enough to whisper without being overheard.
‘Dance with me,’ she said through gritted teeth.
‘Alexa, if you wanted to press yourself against me, all you had to do was ask.’ His tone was light, but his expression was tight and deadly serious. Then again, on closer inspection, the hard lines of his face were rigid with what looked like fury.
‘Dream on, Castillo. I want to talk to you and unfortunately, dancing with you seems to be the only time I’ll have you alone.’
He slid his arms around her waist and rested them just above her buttocks. Half an inch lower and he’d be cupping her backside. The fire in her roared back to life, but she refused to let it overpower her. Fisting her hands, she rested them on his shoulders, positive if she felt the hard muscle there she’d lose herself and the anger she clung onto.
Ric eyed her balled hands with a frown then pulled her against him. Her breasts pushed against his chest and she grabbed his shoulders for balance. Ric’s smirk told her that had been his intention. She stifled an irritated squeal.
His head descended and hovered above her ear, ‘Ladies first.’
Alexa’s mind muddied when the full blow of his spicy aftershave hit her. With their hips pressed together, they swayed to Frank’s husky voice. Still, she fought against her loony hormones and refused to slide her hands along the contours of his shoulders like they craved to.
‘Why did you lie like that?’
Ric’s nose grazed her earlobe. The brief touch sent the fire in her belly burning over her skin. ‘I didn’t lie. You will be there and you will help me organise it.’
Alexa pulled back. His eyes were the colour of scorching espresso. His strong jaw serious. The lusty fire inside morphed into indignation. ‘Not a chance. I’m going home next week.’
But when she saw his expression harden, his eyes set with determination, Alexa squared her shoulders and readied herself for the fight.
Ric whirled Alexa
around the dance floor in time with the tempo. The woman had driven him crazy all evening. The dress she sported covered nothing, yet it covered too much for his liking. He was torn between ripping it off, and wrapping his suit jacket around her. Not to mention he’d been worrying all night that she’d step over the mark, make an inappropriate comment, offend someone or embarrass him further.
And then she’d gone and done it, nuclear bomb style. When Santos, a man with more money and influence than Ric had ever known gave him the time of day, he wanted to do anything to secure his attendance at the fundraiser. Even if it meant spending more time with Alexa-the-pantieless-heiress. Heat simmered in his veins, but he ignored it. Although Santos seemed embarrassed, but mostly amused by Alexa’s outburst, it pissed him off. Ric had been right. She didn’t have a brain-to-mouth filter at all.
Now, she’d lost him Santos. Ric gritted his teeth. He knew it hadn’t been entirely her fault. When Santos’ plaything goaded Alexa, Ric froze and waited for the torrent that he expected would come. Instead, she’d kept her mouth shut, even though he could feel the anger pounding off her in waves. Then again, if Alexa had kept her mouth shut about her underwear—or lack thereof—the incident could have been avoided. Making Alexa work for him would be appropriate punishment and would solve his recent problem.
A little into the conversation, he’d made the decision. His party planner announced this morning that her mother was ill and she had to return to Madrid to care for her for a month. That left him up the creek without a clue how to organise a charity ball.
And he bet if anyone could throw a party, it would be the wild party girl Alexa Green. Of course he’d have to supervise, make sure that the party was classy and not trashy, and the close contact could devastate his libido. Still, he didn’t see any other options at such short notice.
He needed to focus all his free time running the hotel and overseeing the building work. This party was something he needed to do for himself. He’d lived on the streets, done things he wasn’t proud of and had been used. If he could help it, no other child would have to suffer what he had.