by CC MacKenzie
"The what?"
"The Lust and Hate vibe."
Ana took her time digesting this news. "He's not her type," she said finally. "When it comes to men, T.C. is the one in control. No way would Sean let her lead. He's a pure alpha with a capital A."
"Uh-huh. Doesn't suffer fools either. I like him."
Ana nodded. "I love him, like a brother."
"Having said that, he has his eyes on her."
"Yup. I'd noticed that, but since most men have their eyes on T.C. I didn't think it was a big deal."
"She looks at him, too, but not with lust, it's more like loathing."
"Think something's cooking?"
Danni nodded. "Yup. Simmering. Hot. Under the surface."
"She say anything to you?" Ana frowned. She wasn't sure how she felt about a Sean and T.C. relationship. Not, she reminded herself, that it was any of her business.
"Nope."
"Me neither. And lately have you noticed a distinct lack of F-bombs?"
"I did. I bet Sean's responsible for that, too."
Ana pursed her lips. "She won't be able to keep it up."
"I've been thinking the same thing. When T.C. blows—"
"She blows," Ana agreed. Then her dancing gaze met Danni's. "I wonder how long it will take."
Danni's hazel eyes went wide. "Might get bloody."
An amazing idea popped into Ana's head. "God, what if Sean is the one."
Danni blinked, thought about it. "Nah. She'd fight him tooth and nail."
"It'll be interesting to watch."
"Sure will."
Their chat was interrupted by a brisk knock on the door and the arrival of Ana's PA.
Linda clutched a letter in her hand, while she danced a jig on the spot.
Ana peered at her over her glasses, took in the black hair with the burnt orange streaks which matched the plastic frames of her glasses, the ripped jeans that were one size too small and the biker books. The frog tattoo blinking above a navel exposed by a tight black skinny vest caught her eye. It was just as well Linda was an awesome PA and a good friend or they'd have a come-to-Jesus talk about her work attire.
"What's up? You won the lottery?" Ana asked.
Linda's hair was back-combed so high it bounced, along with her thirty-four DD breasts.
"Nope. Even better!"
"You're resigning?"
"Har-de-har-har-har. You are not going to believe it."
"Is this a new game where I guess and you dance?"
In response, Linda boogied over to Ana's desk, placed the letter onto the keyboard and dropped into a seat. "Read that!"
Ana read it.
Her eyes went wide.
Her heart went crazy in her chest.
"Omigod," she whispered.
Danni's head came up. "What?"
Ana stared at Linda.
Linda beamed at Ana.
"OMIGOD!" Ana screamed and leapt to her feet to grab Linda in a hug.
They both danced on the spot.
"For the love of all that's holy, what the hell is wrong with you guys?" Danni rose to pluck the letter from Ana's fingers.
Her eyes went like saucers. "Whoa. Ferranti Communications has been listed for an Eros advertising award this year. Best concept for the Ferranti Boutique Hotel promo."
The joint screams of joy had Ana's personal protection officer peek around the door.
Pete grinned at the scene and went back to his spot by the entrance.
"They're celebrating," he said, by way of an explanation for the noise, to Maria, Chloe and Tanith Rucker, who'd arrived for a lunch date with Ana and Olivier.
When her step-mother and half-sisters strolled through the door, a thrilled Ana turned to beam a warm welcome and explain all the excitement.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again," Maria said as she hugged Ana. "There's always something interesting going on in this place."
Once the greetings were done and dusted, Linda pointed to Chloe. "You, come with me and help organize the champagne and glasses. It's time to paaaaaarty!"
Chloe, a tall, leggy, blue-eyed blonde, grinned and checked her watch. "It's not lunchtime."
"A stickler for rules are you?" Linda guessed, studying the girl with shrewd eyes.
"Rules make the world go around."
"Hmm. And some are worth breaking. A small glass in celebration won't kill you."
And just as everyone had clinked their glasses, Olivier entered, his dark eyes twinkling in delight. "I just heard from Nico that congratulations are in order."
He grabbed his fiancée in a clinch.
While everyone smiled at the loved-up couple, Linda looked to heaven. "Put her down for a minute." She offered him a glass of bubbly. "Here's to the best boss in the world and her well-deserved nomination. May the best woman win!"
Once the cheers had ended, Olivier sat on Ana's ergonomic chair behind her desk and pulled her onto his lap.
Chloe grinned. "Aw. I love the love between you."
Ana hugged her man close. "Me, too."
"When's the wedding?" Tanith asked.
Ana blinked as her mind went a complete blank. "Um..."
"Whenever Ana wants it," Olivier said into the suddenly awkward silence.
"Um..."
He shifted to look into her wide blue eyes. "There is no need for the scared-to-death face, cara. I am a patient man."
Phew.
Ana reckoned she'd dodged the bullet.
She turned to a furiously blushing and mortified looking Tanith. "We've plenty of time to decide. We're young. We have careers."
"None of which should stop a couple making the ultimate commitment," Maria Rucker said.
Ana was a woman well in tune with her inner self and understood her personal flaws and strengths, ergo she did not respond well to external pressure in her personal life. Ana reckoned her step-mother needed to butt out of her business. "Why does everybody jump immediately to a wedding?" she snapped.
Linda narrowed her eyes at the combative tone and stepped in to what bore all the hallmarks of the first breach between a strong-willed step-mother and even stronger-willed step-daughter. "Okay, boss lady. No need to go all looney-tunes. Maybe the rock the size of Gibraltar on your hand has something to do with it."
Before Ana could reply, Olivier stood, set her on her feet and took her hand.
"Time for lunch," he said and dragged her and the rest of the family out of the door.
Danni watched them leave.
She turned to a thoughtful looking Linda.
"Maria needs to back off a little. Ana's not accustomed to having a mother figure in her life. She's used to making her own decisions in her own time. If she comes under pressure, she'll push back."
Linda collected the champagne glasses and the empty bottle on a tray. "Hmm. Trouble is, the relationship with her father is too new and she won't want to rock the boat with his family. Not yet. Plus, she's coming to terms with putting Olivier's happiness and needs before her own. It's not always easy for someone as independent as she is to let new people in. Adding to the strain is the wedding noises coming from Olivier's Italian mama, too. Ana's in the squeezed middle."
"She gets on well with Valentina," Danni said, packing up her laptop. "They've been chatting regularly on the phone."
"Yes. But, if tension builds and everyone has an opinion and Ana feels her voice is not being heard—you know how she gets."
"She'll flip and then it's looney-tunes." Danni lifted her bag. "God, why is life so bloody complicated? I've told Pascale I want to marry on a beach with just the two of us."
"Hmm. He's from an important family. How did he take that?"
Danni grinned. "Told me I can have whatever makes me happy."
Linda lifted the tray. "And what did Ana and T.C. think of the beach idea?"
"That as long as they're invited, too, I can do what I like."
"A man who's crazy in love with you and two best friends who love you, too. You a
re a very lucky girl."
"If it wasn't for my parents, I'd agree."
Linda nodded in sympathy. "Is the mother from hell behaving badly?"
Danni made a face as she followed Linda out the door. "She's gone to war with my father again. He says she's having a problem with ageing."
"She needs a boot up the arse."
Danni could only nod in agreement. "Pascale wants to meet her. I've been putting off the evil day for weeks."
"He's a big boy. He'll handle himself."
"Yes, but I'll just sit there and be mortified and embarrassed."
Linda placed the tray on her desk and turned to open her arms. Danni stepped into the hug. "Don't take responsibility for her behavior. I hear she's attending Ana's engagement party?"
"Couldn't keep her away. I can't believe she had the gall to invite herself."
"Look on the bright side, when Pascale meets her for the first time, you'll be among friends with plenty of support."
Danni supposed Linda was right, but she just couldn't get rid of the worry gnawing in her gut. What if Pascale changed his mind about her when he met her chronically dysfunctional family? Then she decided she was doing the man a huge injustice. Pascale Wolfe was well-named. He put up with no shit from anyone.
Linda's mouth curved. "Chin-up. I'll be there, too."
Danni gave Linda another hug goodbye and left.
As she and entered the elevator and pressed the button and told herself she was a worry wort.
Pascale loved her, he said so every chance he got.
Everything would be fine.
CHAPTER THREE
Next day...
In twenty-six years only three things in life had dropped Olivier Conti to his knees—soccer, the death of his father, and making love first thing in the morning to Anastacia Morgan.
His talent for the beautiful game had come from his father's gene pool. The first time he'd scored a genuine goal—he'd been seven—he knew he'd found his purpose, his focus, his reason for living.
His father's early death had been devastating. Nine years later and the loss still casts a dark cloud over the Conti family. Along with his mother and his two younger sisters they missed him every single day, but thanks to Nico Ferranti's help and support, they'd survived. Hell, as a family they were thriving.
His mother and sisters were due to fly in later today to prepare for his engagement party at Ludlow Hall tomorrow night.
And as for Anastacia—his brand new fiancée—he adored her beyond all reason.
Lying naked on his back in their new big bed in their new London apartment, Olivier stretched his spine like big happy cat feeling all loose and limber after a night of great sex.
"Feels weird not working on a work day," Ana said, her voice thick with sleep.
Her attempt to slip out of bed was easily foiled by Olivier rolling on top of her.
He grinned into her heavy eyes, then his gaze slid to her full mouth and as usual his dick went rock hard.
In response, her blue eyes narrowed. "Don't even think about it." Then she licked her lips and his erection jerked against her inner thigh. "You're insatiable," she whispered even as her blue eyes went dark with arousal.
He studied her flushed cheeks, the way her breath hitched. "Si. Only for you. Only ever for you."
"I love you," she whispered in a tone that melted his heart, his very soul.
It had taken time for her to fully open her heart and let him in and Olivier promised himself he would never do anything to break her trust.
"I love you, Anastacia, bella."
She was so very precious to him and so essential to his life in the way she was a permanent part of his thoughts. He told himself he was going to take it slow as he loved her. Be gentle. But the smell of her, all warm and soft woman, drove him insane.
Her hands were already in his hair, nails digging deep into his scalp to pull him closer. Her lips were gently nibbling at his—taunting, torturing, taking more. When her greedy hand slid between them to find him hot and hard, Olivier swore an oath in Italian.
Her laugh was soft and wicked and it tripped a switch inside him.
Between one heartbeat and the next, he had her wrists pinned above her head with one hand, while the other slid beneath her bare bottom to get the angle just right.
And then he took her fast and hard, until she sobbed with every thrust, until she screamed his name as the orgasm rocketed her into oblivion and beyond.
The way her body pulsed around his triggered his own climax.
He collapsed on top of her.
They were a tangled, sweaty mess.
When he finally found the strength to lift himself to his elbows to make sure he hadn't killed her, he looked down and had to smile.
Her skin was pale and flawless and her hair an inky tumble of curls. Naked, sated, she looked like any man's erotic wet dream. The flare of desire in her eyes caused his own as he hardened deep within her. As her lips, swollen from his kiss, parted for him, Olivier Conti knew he was one lucky bastard.
Later, as they shared a late breakfast, Anastacia, dressed in yoga pants and a T-shirt, checked her phone and the text in shouty letters from Danni.
"Bugger."
Wearing soft jeans and a ratty T-shirt, Olivier, busy topping up their coffee from the pot, paused to raise an enquiring brow. "Problem?"
Her frown was fierce as she tapped out a rapid response.
She muttered, "It's the 22nd. How the hell could I forget it's the 22nd?"
"What is so special about today?"
Still focused on her phone, Anastacia shook her head. "It's special to T.C. Christ, I'm a terrible best friend."
"Is it her birthday?"
It was a perfectly sensible question, Ana decided. At times being in a committed relationship was like walking through a mine field. She hated keeping secrets from the love of her life, but this wasn't her secret to share. So, instead of telling him the truth, Ana went with prevarication.
"No. It's just the anniversary of something." When her phone pinged with another message from Danni, it wasn't good news. Ana chewed on her bottom lip. She lifted her head to find Olivier's gaze steady on hers. "Any chance of me opting out of part of our plans today?"
His dark brows rose as his eyes went wide in complete shock. "You do not want to meet my mother?"
"Of course I do! It's just that Danni and I always spend today with T.C."
She didn't add that because he'd distracted her with morning sex, she'd forgotten all about the date. In fact it struck her that since she'd met Olivier they'd pretty much been joined at the hip. Perhaps that had to change? However, letting down a friend in her hour of need was, as far as Ana was concerned, not acceptable.
"Mama is flying in from Rome to meet you. And T.C. is attending our party at Ludlow Hall tomorrow," he spoke the words softly, the tone perfectly reasonable.
Reading the confusion and the hurt in his eyes, Ana realized she couldn't let him down either.
She was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
What to do?
"Let me call T.C. and explain the situation," she said.
"Frankly, it is not a big deal, Banana!" T.C. yelled in Ana's ear.
Ana chewed her bottom lip. Beneath the cranky tone did her friend sound sad? She was sure she sounded sad.
"You're sad," she said.
"I'm FINE! Honest. Look, you cannot miss collecting Mama Conti and Olivier's sisters from the airport. And I'll see you at the party tomorrow."
"I know, but..."
"But nothing."
"But Danni's in Paris, she's not returning until tomorrow morning..." Ana began again only to be rudely interrupted.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, Banana. We're all adults. We have lives and commitments. And I'm happy that both of you are so fucking happy. Go and meet your future mother-in-law. She's a helluva lot more important than I am."
Since the F-bomb had been dropped, twice, a fact which proved T.C. was indeed f
eeling fine, Ana decided she could live with it.
"Okay. But if you need to talk..."
"I'm good! I'm working. Go away."
Olivier sipped his coffee and watched her over the rim of his cup. "What is so special about the 22nd?" he asked again.
"It's just a thing."
A black brow rose. "A thing?"
Placing her phone on the countertop, Ana shifted to wrap her arms around his waist and inhale the heady scent of coffee fresh from the pot and her man.
"Hmm. You need a shower," she said hoping to distract him.
It worked.
He sniffed his armpit even though she reckoned he smelled heavenly.
"Join me."
Ana shook her head as she placed her hand over his holding the cup and stole a sip of his coffee. "Nope. My hair's a nightmare to dry."
"Join me."
She gave him points for persistence, moved away and missed the gleam in his eye. "No. But I will be a domestic Goddess and fetch you a clean towel."
By the time she returned to their bathroom with a big white fluffy towel, the power shower hissed as it spat out steaming water.
"Here's the towel," she yelled, her mind still on T.C.
"Perdono?" His voice was muffled by water.
She leaned in to enjoy the view of her naked and fit man.
And what a view.
He had the tightest ass she'd ever seen. His shoulders were wide and muscled. He turned and her gaze slid over a ridged six pack, his flat belly to his... Oh, mama.
"I've put it on the heated rail."
"I can't hear you!" Olivier yelled.
When she popped her head inside the glass door, strong hands caught and dragged her beneath the force of the jets.
"You..." she spluttered, her squeaks of outrage mingled with laughter as she pretended to punch him. "You've ruined my hair."
"Oops," he said, laughing down into her face, his black lashes all spiky. "I am economising on water to save the planet and get you naked."
He pulled her close and kissed her hard, disregarding the sting of the water teeming down on both of them.
Ana gave up and let him have his way.