He’d eventually cut his day short and decided to return to the coast early, knowing he wanted to ask Nora more questions but also just wanting to be with her.
Upstairs, he passed the door to Nora’s room. It was open. He saw the bed freshly made and the small cot. He entered the room, his gut tightening at how empty it looked. He felt his body poised to run downstairs, to investigate further, when a splashing noise outside caught his attention.
He reached the balcony in a few quick steps, peering down to see a blur of action in the pool. Nora sat at the edge, dipping her tiny infant’s toes into the water. As though she felt his presence, she looked up and spotted him. A shy smile crossed her lips and she waved.
Duarte pressed his lips together, hardly able to manage the riot of emotions coursing through him. For that split second he’d believed she’d gone, he’d been ready to rip through the country in search of her. It was madness. He felt as if he was losing what little control he’d gained over himself in the past months. How was it possible to feel calmed by this woman’s presence and yet so completely undone?
She had essentially admitted to being part of the syndicate that had tried to kill him. She was a criminal by her own admission. And yet something in him refused to believe that was all she was. He had witnessed her care for her son, her intelligence and heard of her determination to finish her studies.
She was a contradiction. He usually despised things that didn’t make sense, and yet he kept moving back to her, time and time again, as if he was a magnet and she was his true north.
Even as he told himself he needed to keep his distance, and regain the upper hand in order to move forward with his investigation, he found himself moving down the stairs and through the house towards the sound of her gentle laughter.
Nora had felt as though she were breaking apart all day as she’d wrestled with her decision and her fear of staying too long here in this wonderful place. She didn’t quite know how to accept the calm happiness of being so secure and cared for... Deep down, she knew this kind of life was never meant for someone like her. She knew she couldn’t stay for ever. Especially once Duarte knew everything. She wished that everything could just stay the same in their little bubble, but it couldn’t.
And then Duarte had come back early from the city, and he had looked down at her in his intense way and she’d felt her heart sing in response.
He’d stayed outside with them for much longer than he ever had before, even offering to hold Liam while she took a short swim. She’d felt her hands shake as she’d passed her precious child into Duarte’s arms, trying not to stare at their identical colouring and the same little frown between their brows.
The urge to tell him in that moment that he held his son in his arms had been overwhelming, but Inés had been watching them, and Nora hadn’t been prepared to do it in the middle of the day.
Coward, she’d told herself as she’d dived under the water to disguise the tears that had flooded her eyes.
And even now, as she showered and dressed for dinner, her stomach flipped as her mind replayed the image of the two of them together in her mind. Father and son...
She knew she couldn’t stay there another moment, knowing she was keeping such a huge thing from him. Duarte was not the man she’d thought he was. He was not like her father. Yes, he would be angry at her deceit, but she didn’t believe he would be cruel.
She no longer feared that he would want to take her son from her and she now knew she couldn’t keep his son from him. Liam was an Avelar by birth, and no matter how much she wished it to be different she had no hope of competing with the kind of life such a birthright would offer him.
She needed to tell Duarte and hope that they could find a way through this together.
Duarte had taken his time showering and dressing for dinner, his senses heightened. Now he waited in the dining room, listening to the sounds above of Inés and Nora talking as they readied the infant for bed.
He had surprised himself with his interest in the boy, offering to hold him that afternoon out of pure curiosity. And something had tightened in his chest as he’d looked into the small silvery blue eyes so like Nora’s. He’d felt something protective and primal that he’d feared examining too closely.
He didn’t want to come on too strong, he reminded himself. This was just dinner between two people with a mutual attraction.
When Nora appeared, the sight of her curves encased in jade-green silk stole his breath. She always looked beautiful, but tonight she looked radiant. Her eyes looked wider, outlined with the barest sweep of shadow, and the apples of her cheeks glowed with vitality. Her soft full lips were painted a rose-pink that made his own mouth water at the memory of how she tasted.
‘You’re really dressed up.’ She smiled nervously. ‘Have you ordered another chef audition?’
‘Not exactly.’ His voice sounded a little rough even to his own ears, and he could see the way she looked at him a little uncertainly. He cleared his throat, running a hand along his freshly shaved jaw. ‘I thought we could go out tonight—if that’s okay? The old town is really not to be missed, and I know a place that makes the best moqueca de peixe in the whole of Brazil.’
She smiled, and Duarte felt his chest ease.
Nora felt slightly nervous at leaving the house for the first time, but Inés had practically pushed her out through the door, assuring her that Liam would be fine for a couple of hours.
He had begun sleeping for longer stretches of the night now, she reassured herself, trying to ignore the almost painful tug of anxiety as Duarte’s car moved away from the house and along the dirt road.
As though he sensed her anxiety, Duarte began filling the silence with commentary, telling her about the small town of Paraty and its rich history dating back to the time of the gold rush.
The historic centre of town was a bustling labyrinth of pedestrianised cobbled streets, with pretty whitewashed buildings and a surprisingly cosmopolitan array of restaurants. Duarte had booked a table in a small modern-looking eatery near the pier, where the ambience was like stepping into a warm golden cavern.
True to his word, the moqueca was the best she’d ever tasted. The traditional fish stew melted in her mouth and was washed down by a local wine. For a dinner with a billionaire, it was surprisingly low-key and cosy. She found herself slowly relaxing as she tried not to think of the words she had rehearsed all day.
All day she had been tortured with anxiety. She didn’t want to lose him all over again. She’d made bad choices in her life and allowed herself to be controlled by her father, but she did not believe she was truly bad.
After the last of their food had been cleared, Duarte suggested they take a walk down the stone-walled pier to where he had something he wanted to show her. Nora walked alongside him, keeping her eyes ahead and trying to control the swirl of butterflies flapping around her stomach.
The way he looked at her and listened to her, his curiosity unmarred by the hatred she’d once seen... It was as if she’d been given a true second chance with him—with the Duarte she’d known before his betrayal and all the ugliness with her father.
‘It’s just down here.’ Duarte smiled as he took her hand and led her down one of the narrow wooden walkways of the marina. Small fishing boats bobbed gently on either side, gradually getting bigger and more expensive-looking as they walked further on.
Duarte came to a stop at the end, gesturing to a gigantic dark-painted ship that looked completely out of place amongst the more modern white and grey giants that surrounded it. It had several tall sails and an elegant golden trim. A large painted sign along the side read O Dançarina. The Dancer.
‘This was the first ship I ever set foot on. My father’s pride and joy.’ Duarte spoke quietly beside her. ‘It’s been in storage for seven years...ever since their accident.’
Seven years. Nora closed her eyes
briefly. She knew exactly when his parents had died, and felt sadness on his behalf.
Duarte pulled down the gangplank and gestured for her to follow him on board. She’d bet the deck alone was longer than her entire apartment back in Rio. It was polished teak and spotlessly clean, as though it had just come back from a week at sea with its wealthy owners. She half expected staff to be teeming below-deck, ready to offer refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
‘I had it cleaned. It still looks exactly the same.’
Duarte smiled, taking his time as he ran his hands along the wooden handrail that lined the sides. He reached down to a small panel and with one flick of a switch the entire ship was lit up with golden light.
‘It’s...beautiful...’ Nora breathed. ‘I always knew that you own a yacht empire, and that you design your own ships, but this is the first time I’ve seen you on one.’
He laughed, a glorious smile touching his full lips. ‘I was thinking I might take her out on the water tomorrow, but for tonight we’ll have to make do with a champagne picnic right here in port.’
He poured her a glass from the bottle waiting for them.
‘This is...magical...’ Nora mused, feeling the bubbles warm her throat as she swallowed. ‘Thank you for tonight. For being such a kind host.’
He raised a brow in her direction, leaning forward to sweep a lock of hair from her face. ‘I’m not here as your host tonight, Nora. I thought that was pretty clear.’
She blushed, turning her face away from him and feeling warmth spread down her body. When she looked up, she saw the twinkling lights of the marina reflected in his golden eyes. His arms circled her waist, pulling her closer so they stood barely an inch apart.
‘I’ve thought about nothing but kissing you all day,’ he purred, his fingers softly sweeping along her cheek and down to cup either side of her neck. ‘You almost made me sign half my paperwork with your name.’
‘I’m sorry.’ She smiled, shivering at the sensation of his touch branding her skin. She felt caged in by his large body and his leonine eyes. Trapped in the most sensual meaning of the word. She’d never felt happier.
‘You don’t sound sorry,’ he growled. ‘You sound quite delighted at the thought of me in my office, half mad with lust, hardly able to wait to get back to you.’
‘I thought of you too,’ she whispered. ‘I... I missed you.’
Her voice broke on the words, on their heartbreaking truth. She had missed him so much. She needed to tell him everything—needed to take a leap of faith and believe that he wouldn’t punish her—or their son—for her hesitation.
But then his lips were on hers, his hands sweeping down to caress her hips and the small of her back. As she sighed into the kiss, sliding her tongue against his, she felt her control begin to unravel. He pressed himself and his hard length against her and she had to fight not to groan against his mouth. Her body remembered his hands and seemed to heat up on command, until the fire within her threatened to consume her entirely.
As though he suddenly realised he was grinding himself against her, he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers. ‘I’m sorry... It’s been a while for me. I swear I’ve never felt so out of control.’
‘I know the feeling...’ she breathed, her mind a tangle of desire.
He framed her face with his hands and kissed her again, slower and deeper this time. His tongue was her undoing, its slow seductive teasing sending her completely over the edge of reason. She groaned softly, sliding her hand under the edge of his shirt to touch his skin. Having him like this, feeling him under her palms...she was half afraid he would disappear if she blinked.
The truth was like an invisible barrier between them, and here in the golden light, with his eyes on hers, she felt as if she’d been given the cruellest gift. She thought back to all the times she’d wished for just one more night with him. She wanted to take this moment and live in it. To have him, even if it was selfish.
The thought jarred her. Of course it was selfish.
She bit her lower lip, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her like a ten-ton truck. She took a step back from him and the words she knew she needed to say seemed to stick in her throat, choking her.
‘We need to stop.’ She closed her eyes. ‘There are things I promised myself I would tell you tonight, even though I know it could ruin everything between us. But now I’m standing here I have no idea how to begin.’
‘Then don’t,’ he whispered. ‘I promised you a night out and that means no serious business. Right now, all I want to do is keep kissing you.’
‘You don’t mean that,’ she breathed. ‘You’re not thinking with your head.’
‘I’m trusting my gut, and my gut is never wrong.’ He met her eyes. ‘Will these things still be exactly the same tomorrow? Are they time-sensitive?’
Nora breathed in a shaky breath, looking up into his gold-flecked eyes. ‘It will still be the same.’
He leaned down, gently pressing his lips to her temple and pulling her close. ‘Being here...being with you...it’s the closest I’ve felt to happiness in a long time. Even long before what happened to me. I was always seeking new thrills, always on the move. I was never actually calm enough to just...be. But when I’m with you, I’m actually here. I feel present in a way I’ve never been able to tolerate or enjoy before. I think we owe it to each other to allow ourselves a moment of happiness, don’t you?’
‘Just a moment?’ Nora breathed, half hoping he would draw the line at tonight.
If he ended it—if he showed her he was the careless billionaire she’d once believed him to be—maybe this would be easier. Because this version of Duarte—the one who spoke of happiness and called her beautiful... It broke her heart to imagine a life without him.
She had never stood a chance of resisting him from the moment he’d swept her off that dance floor all those months ago, she realised. She was hopelessly in love with this man and helplessly careening towards full-on heartbreak once she revealed everything to him. Her heart seemed to ache at the thought, as she imagined him looking at her and seeing the lying, deceitful criminal that she was.
Closing her eyes, she sank against him and kissed him with every ounce of love she possessed in her foolish, foolish heart.
When they were both finally out of breath, and in danger of committing a public indecency offence, Nora took a step back, meeting his eyes steadily, without a single doubt. ‘Does this ship have a bed?’
Duarte fought the urge to throw her over his shoulder like a caveman and kick open the doors to the cabins below. He’d never been more grateful for the top-to-toe valet service he’d ordered before he’d arranged for O Dançarina to be skippered to Paraty. The ship was freshly cleaned and gleaming, ready to sail and with the cabins made up.
Taking Nora’s hand in his, he led her down towards the master cabin, briefly giving her a lightning-fast tour as they passed through the ship. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as he pulled her into the large cabin and laid her down on the giant bed before she even had a moment to take in the sumptuous décor.
He adored O Dançarina. The ship was beautiful—one of the most exquisitely restored sailing yachts he’d ever known in his two decades of sailing. But right now nothing compared to the view of Nora spread out on the bed below him, her lips slightly parted and swollen from his kisses.
She reached up, looping her arms around his neck and pulling him down for another deep, languorous kiss. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling roughly against his scalp and sending shivers down his spine.
‘I don’t think I can wait another minute,’ she breathed, her hands exploring his ribcage, and lower, pulling at his belt.
He allowed her free rein for a moment, before taking hold of both her wrists and clasping them above her head. She gasped, her hips flexing against him with surprise and definite appreciation. His little l
ioness liked being commanded—he could see it in the darkness of her eyes and feel it in the way her heartbeat pounded.
‘I didn’t come prepared,’ he said, groaning with sudden realisation of his lack of contraception. ‘I wasn’t expecting us to...’
Nora bit her lower lip, desire warming her cheeks. ‘The nurse has already got me covered in that regard.’
Duarte fought the urge to sink into her then and there with relief. ‘Remind me to send that woman a gift basket,’ he said, and smiled against her skin. ‘I know I’m clean.’
‘Thank God,’ she breathed.
Her nervous chuckle fast turned into a groan of pleasure as he licked the sensitive skin below her ear and gently bit down.
‘I don’t know where I want to kiss most,’ he murmured, trailing a torturously slow path of kisses along her collarbone. ‘The glimpses of you in that bathing suit have played in my memory for so long I could hardly imagine having you in the flesh.’
‘You have me,’ she breathed. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
Something blazed in her eyes and made his chest feel so tight he had to look away, his mouth seeking out her hardened nipples through the silk material of her dress. He focused on teasing the peak, feeling her gasp and thrust against him, following the delicious friction.
Heat, passion, desire. This he could deal with. Two people using one another for pleasure and release. His sex-starved body seemed to have gone into overdrive, wanting all of her at once. That was the only explanation for the overwhelming feelings coursing through him with each touch.
If he wasn’t careful this would all be over before he’d even begun, and he wanted to make this good for her. For both of them. She wanted him just as badly as he wanted her—he could feel it in the gentle flex of her thigh muscles around his shoulders as he moved lower.
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