by Chloe Blake
He gave her a gimlet stare.
She huffed out a breath. “Fine, so they might think it’s suspicious, considering we know it’s their hotel, but no more so than you and I being a couple. No one would buy it. Not the way we fight.”
“Well, then we’ll have to make them believe.”
“Pah,” she said with the flick of her hand. “Only an idiot would think we’re together.”
Truly confused, he drew his brows together. “Why?”
“Well... It’s just... Um...”
She never stumbled over her words or avoided eye contact, especially with him. He knew for certain that whatever she’d say would upset him, but he had to hear it. “I don’t understand why you’re stalling. It’s not as if you’ve ever thought I possessed feelings for you to hurt.”
She snapped her gaze up at him. “You want the truth. Here it is.” She pointed between them. “We’re not a realistic couple.” She held out her arms wide, hitting one hand against the rear windshield. “Our personalities are as different as a tornado—that’s you, by the way—and a gentle breeze. We’ve been at each other’s throats for the past two years and I’m not the kind of woman you’d date.”
He angled his body more toward her. “For a moment there, I thought you were going to lie and say we weren’t attracted to each other.”
“Of course we are.” She slammed her hand over her mouth.
The air hung heavy as their driver pretended not to be listening to their conversation. Time to discuss their erotic experience together. Not the best environment, but would they ever get the opportunity if he didn’t grab it now? “About—”
“Don’t you dare talk about that here.”
He smirked. “So there will be a time to discuss it.”
“It’s not like you’ve ever brought it up before. It happened and then it was as if it didn’t. I took it to be—” her gaze flittered to the driver and then back to him “—a tension reliever.”
How could one person be so entertaining? “Is that how you normally get rid of your stress.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she pouted. “No.”
Leonardo hadn’t thought so, but her answer still pleased him. Like him, she spent way too much time in the office and not enough of it living or having a productive social life. “Good.”
They rode in silence as the vehicle sped them along the highway to their destination “So, have we agreed to going through with my plan?”
“No.”
Of course she’d fight. It’s what Kamilla did best. He’d always wondered why she’d never gone into a branch of law where it would be her duty to defend others in court. She’d be damn good at it. “Why not?”
“Because it’s stupid.”
He relaxed his head against the backrest, sure that within the next five minutes he’d have worn her down. “Can you expound on the eloquent words you just used?”
“I know you can’t help it most of the time, but don’t be an ass.”
He raised his brows. “Asking you to clarify what you said offended you?”
“It’s the way you said it.”
He grit his teeth. Before the week ended, one of them may end up off the side of a mountain. “Fine, how about if I told you to stop being so damn stubborn and just agree. You have no reason not to, so just fall in line so we can get the job done.”
She pointed a finger in his face. “You see, that’s it right there. You’re so overbearingly arrogant. Expecting everyone to do what you want when you want it. Not me, buddy. I’m not the one.”
By this time they’d squared off. He should’ve known better than to push her. It had never worked in the past. He took a deep breath and backed down by breaking eye contact. He lowered his voice and leaned closer so only she’d hear. “I thought we’d sleep in the same suite with two different rooms, to make it seem more likely that we were together. I also booked the room on my credit card rather than the firm’s. The only thing we’d have to do to perpetrate the illusion is pretend to have fun while following the roster they gave us at the office.”
Kamilla’s body seemed to sink into the seat as she uncrossed her arms. “Okay. I can live with that.”
Had he heard correctly? Agreeing without further argument? He wouldn’t push his luck. At least not yet.
Chapter 11
The dramatic splendor of the resort’s lobby had Kamilla captivated. She wiped the corner of her mouth just in case she’d been drooling. Two large fireplaces with actual crackling fires sat across the room. The space boasted of the most comfortable-looking cushiony seats set in warm brown tones and accented with orange, yellow and red cushions. If she weren’t staying at the resort to save her job, she’d spend all day tucked into a chair in front of the fireplace with a novel in one hand and a cup of spiked hot chocolate in the other.
The glass at the top of the door they’d entered let in both light and the splendiferous view of the snow-and tree-covered mountains. Growing up in Cleveland, she was no stranger to snow, but she’d never recognized it as glorious until this moment.
While she’d been unable to tear her gaze away from her new home for the next week, Leonardo took care of the room. Where the hell had life taken such a detour for her to now have to pretend to be involved with him? She must’ve been a really bad person in a previous life. She gazed at his broad back, recalling the slide of her fingers along the plane of muscles as they’d made love. She swallowed hard. Or a really good person.
She snapped out of her musings long enough to see Leonardo take the key card from the smiling receptionist. “You’re in chalet number five, Mr. Astacio.” Had she said his name with a breathless awe or was it her imagination? They’d worked together for so long, she’d almost forgotten he held a pseudo-celebrity status. Heirs of multi-billion-dollar companies tended to.
The woman’s smile was too damn bright as she did something with her eyelashes that would make Kamilla look as if she were starting to have a seizure. “A porter will be with you in just a moment to help you with your things.”
Anger at the receptionist rose up from her chest into her throat. How dare she flirt with him while Kamilla stood at his side? Never mind she didn’t even like Leonardo as a person, much less a man; it all boiled down to the principle of the situation.
Kamilla sidled up to him and rested her breast against his arm. She ignored the hardening of her nipples as she smiled up at him before looking at the receptionist. “Thank you. It’s been a long journey and we’d like to...” She tilted her head to glance up into Leonardo’s eyes and lowered the timbre of her voice so no one in hearing range could mistake her intent. “Settle in.”
At Leonardo’s hard swallow, she slid her hand into his and pulled him from the desk. That ought to teach the woman. Unfortunately she’d learned a lesson, too, as an electrical current made its way up her arm from his touch. She didn’t want to release the strong hand surrounding hers. Fortunately she didn’t have to. Not until they were alone.
“Did the green-eyed monster bite you in the ass?”
Ducking her head, she smoothed down her hair to hide the truth in his words. “Don’t be ridiculous. This was your crazy idea. No woman should take me for a sucker who’d let her man out to play.”
A grin spread across his face, creating a flutter in her belly. “I see.” And then he raised their joint hands and brushed his lips against her fingers.
Where had all the air gone? There had been plenty of it a minute ago and now she couldn’t get any into her body.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your chalet.” The stranger’s voice magically returned the atmosphere to normal and she inhaled deeply. Tearing her attention from Leonardo, she tugged his hand to follow the porter. Fear and pleasure battled for control. This once, she’d let pleasure win. She couldn’t have him in real life, but they’d left reality when they st
epped into the fairy-tale setting of the resort.
Why couldn’t she relax and freely enjoy the attraction between them for the week? She’d been fighting it for two years, and had proved her failure by sleeping with him. Although it had been the most gratifying experience of her life, it had set her more off-balance than a drunk tightrope performer.
Making partner took precedence over everything. This week she’d be able to do her job while enjoying Leonardo’s tingle-inducing touch. She didn’t have to fight her attraction while still setting herself on the road toward achieving her goal. Win-win situation.
A short walk took them out the back of the building, into the cold and down a pathway lined with fir trees. Taking a right, they were led to a lone building with a gold number five above the threshold. The porter opened the red door and escorted them in.
Amazed, she stood in the doorway as she took in the living room. Hadn’t she seen this fabulous decor in a home magazine? Like a zombie she walked through the space past the cream-and-light-gray furniture, large oil paintings, silk flowers in exquisite vases, a fireplace and a huge flat-screen television. The crystalline lake and towering mountains beyond captured her attention. The resort would be even more majestic in the spring and summer.
The coolness of the glass door when she touched it added to the reality. She wasn’t dreaming. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” She couldn’t hide the reverence as she spoke to the reflection behind her.
“It reminds me of the Swiss Alps.”
Her amazement flashed to annoyance as she swung around, planting her hands on her hips. “You couldn’t let me have this and just agree?” How could she have ever thought they’d be able to get along for the week when she wanted to throw his arrogant ass out now?
“I never said it wasn’t a nice resort.”
“Nice?” She shook her head and walked around him, barely taking in the kitchen or the fact that the porter had left. “It must be good to have grown up rich and traveled the world.”
He rushed to her and stopped her progress. “Look, Kamilla. I can’t pretend to be who I’m not. I’ve seen sights that have brought tears to my eyes because they were so spectacular. It’s hard to get excited about things that don’t reach that level.”
The passion in his voice melted away her anger. “I may have overreacted a little.”
At his raised brows, she added, “Okay, a lot. I’m overwhelmed at everything that’s happened this week and exhausted from the wretched flight.” Would he make fun of her? She’d always hated appearing vulnerable in front of anyone, but he’d seen her at her worst and had even helped her through it by distracting and holding her.
Leonardo nodded. “I understand. Why don’t you choose a room and rest?”
Her knees nearly buckled at his response. Who was this sweet man and why hadn’t she been introduced to him before? She nodded and stepped around him. “Good idea.”
The rooms were nearly identical in decor. It didn’t stop her from jumping up and down when she saw the Jacuzzi tub in the smaller bedroom. She could do without a couch in her sleeping space if she could soak with jets massaging her on a daily basis. The mountain view from the window next to the bed helped to make up her mind.
She lay on the mattress and sighed. As soon as she gained control over her reactions to Leonardo, she’d be fine. One minute she wanted to slather herself all over him and the next to shove him out the door. It wasn’t like her to be so extreme with her emotions. But he brought it out in her. From the first time she’d met him, until now.
Kamilla hauled herself up and returned to the living room. Her whole body heated when she found him sprawled on the couch with a glass of amber liquid in his hand. His eyes were closed as jazz music played from the small speakers surrounding the space. With his suit jacket off, tie loosened and shirt rolled up to expose his muscular forearms, she’d never seen a more sexy version of him. Other than when he’d been naked. She pushed the memory away.
“I’ve chosen the room on the right.” Not knowing what else to say once he nodded, she escaped to the safety of her new domicile. She’d put those Jacuzzi jets to good use before taking a nap. Ridding herself of extreme exhaustion would surely help her hormones to settle. Maybe she’d gain control of the need to observe his handsome features, to touch him, nibble on those luscious lips and oh so many other places on his perfect body. Fanning her face with her hand, she amended the plan. A cool shower would probably be better.
Chapter 12
Leonardo debated whether to wake Kamilla from her three-hour rest. She deserved it after the stress she’d experienced on the plane, but she also needed to eat. When had he become so concerned with her welfare? Even worse, why had he started missing her when she was just in the next room?
Did it matter? The woman had latched on to him, even without trying, and he liked having her close. Sure they were competing for the same position. It didn’t matter anymore, considering how alive he became when he was with her. She respected him, even though she hadn’t liked him. Impressed by her honesty and genuine lack of trepidation in regard to his social and financial status, he found her resolute passion to be the most amazing aspect of her.
He’d become aware of her incredibleness long before they’d slept together. It had probably been the driving force to get them together. Fear had kept him away from her for so long. Months of debating if she were worth the risk, all the while every time he’d seen her, which he’d tried to avoid doing, he’d wanted her. Yet he had no desire to forgo his goal for her, because he’d worked too hard to reach it. He’d hate to think he’d wasted five years of his life because he knew he couldn’t have both her and the partnership.
His ears perked up as the door to her room opened. “It’s about time you woke up,” he said as she stumbled into the living room. Even with her short hair spiked in every direction, no makeup and wearing sweatpants with a loose T-shirt, his skin heated.
She flopped onto the couch. “Couldn’t find anybody to torture while I slept?”
“You know you’re my favorite.”
“I’m hungry.”
He figured she would be. For such a small woman, she always had an appetite. “How about we go down to the dining room for dinner?”
She groaned and plucked at her shirt. His eyes diverted to her chest. Her perfect breasts with dark berries for nipples, which he’d rolled his tongue around. He snapped his gaze back to her eyes and shifted in his seat.
“That means I have to get dressed.” She wrinkled her nose. “And eat with you. Can’t we just order room service?”
Was she really trying to extricate from him? He had to get over this insecurity he’d developed when it came to her. She tended to wear independent as a name tag and he knew she could take or leave any relationship that didn’t add value to her life. In order to ingratiate himself into her world, he had to play his cards right, which meant treating her as he always had, but also making her aware that the attraction between them wasn’t going anywhere.
He shrugged. “We need to show our faces. Besides, would it hurt to look a little presentable around me?”
Her laughter hit him straight in the chest. He loved making her laugh. “Why?”
“Because I’m supposedly your man.” He touched her knee and received the shock he’d expected. “You’re supposed to want to look good for me.”
“Hmm.” She angled her head as if considering. “You have a point.” She nodded once with her head dipped to the side and her lips bunched. “How about if we consider ourselves in the middle of a relationship. The point when you don’t fear losing each other because you’re already so in love and vested it would hurt too much to let each other go. You know, the comfortable part where you wear what you want and fart in front of each other.” She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t be dropping any bombs anywhere near me, though.”
He coul
dn’t help laughing. “I’ll try. Is that what you want? The middle?”
“It’s the best part.” Her eyes glazed over. “There’s still passion, but it’s not as fierce as the beginning. The middle is the knowledge that you’ll be together for the long haul because you really know each other.”
His skin became taut enough to rip as trepidation sent a chill up his spine. Was she in love with another man? “Have you ever been there?”
She sighed and closed her eyes while leaning her head against the back of the couch. “No, but I’ve seen my best friend go through it.”
His muscles relaxed. “Have you ever gotten close?”
Lolling her head to the side, she looked at him. Would she tell him the truth? “Once, back in college. I thought we’d be together forever. I was wrong.”
“What happened?”
“He found what he thought to be his true love”
Leonardo shook his head. “He was a fool.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
“You won’t get an argument about that from me. He married the woman he cheated on me with and I learned they got divorced two years later. But you know what?”
Every word she spoke intrigued him. When was the last time they’d ever had a personal conversation that didn’t involve work? Aside from the plane ride over, never. “What?”
She scooted forward, placed an elbow on her knee and rested her cheek on her palm. “Learning about their breakup made me sad. I believe in a forever kind of love. Once those vows are said, there’s no shaking me. We would’ve had to be in the middle for a long time before I agreed to marry a guy.”
Fascinating. “What if he hits you or cheats on you?”
“Please. I’d just have to invoke the part of ‘until death do us part.’” She laughed at her own joke. “For real, though. Let’s just say he’d know what he was getting involved with before he tried some nonsense. I like showing my true self.” She scrunched her face. “It’s not always pretty, but at least you know what you’re getting.”