But it had. The car crash that had killed her parents had happened not a mile away—
‘This okay for you?’
Luc had stopped outside the steamed-up windows of a café, she realised, quickly gathering her shattered senses. ‘This is ideal.’ It was. By some fluke, Luc had stopped outside her favourite café. He held the door for her, and the heat and appetising smells of home cooking instantly surrounded her, luring her in. She was surprised by his choice, but glad of it. It was a straightforward, no-frills café, where she wouldn’t feel awkward dressed as she was, and where the food was all freshly prepared from local produce and delicious.
Needless to say, Luc created a wave of interest from the moment he walked in. Even casually dressed, he stood out. No one had expected to have their breakfast interrupted by such a striking-looking man. Tall, hard-muscled, and tanned, he looked like an inhabitant from another planet where the sun shone more than once a year, and all the men were titans. Then the customers noticed Emma, which provoked an even bigger rustle of interest.
‘What are you smiling at?’ Luc demanded as they sat down.
‘You chatting to people,’ she remarked, having been surprised that Luc had exchanged greetings with quite a few people she knew.
‘I’ve been in town awhile, and I have business here.’
And she’d seen this side of him at work, Emma remembered. Luc was naturally interested in people, which explained why he was so successful in the hospitality industry. But there was something else about his choice of café that surprised her too. ‘You seem so at home, sitting on a plastic chair at a Formica-topped table,’ she said wryly. ‘Are you sure this isn’t just to indulge me?’
‘The food’s the best here—I’ve tried it before. And I’m a human being just like you. I’m not some distant potentate, living in an ivory tower.’
No. Luc had a selection of ivory, she thought as he held up his hands in mock surrender.
‘Do you always order for your guests?’ she asked, after he’d ordered them both breakfast.
‘When they look as tired as you do? Yes, I do. Don’t fight it, Emma. Save your powder for the important battles ahead of you.’
She shrank inside at his words. It was as if he knew.
‘This is only breakfast,’ Luc was pointing out. ‘If you want to change anything I’ve ordered, just ask the waitress. Or I will.’
‘No. What you’ve ordered is fine. Thank you.’
‘But next time ask me?’ he suggested with an amused look. ‘So...’ He sat back. ‘What shall we talk about while we wait for our breakfast to arrive?’
Her cheeks went fiery red. Short of hanging a notice around her neck plastered with the word ‘baby’, she couldn’t think how she could look guiltier than she felt.
‘Will you start or will I?’ Luc prompted.
Making his big frame comfortable, he looked like a man at ease with himself and the world. She couldn’t tell him. Not here. Too many people were listening. She had caused quite the stir coming in here with Lucas, where everyone knew her. She had lived in the village all her life, apart from when she’d gone down to London, and it was common knowledge that two of her friends, both local women, had married Brazilian men. People must be wondering if this was the latest romance. They also knew everything about her past.
Burying her face in the mug of tea the waitress had just brought them, she had to remember that however easygoing Luc might appear to be now, he would crack down the minute he heard about the baby. If she knew one thing about him, it was that Luc was all about control. Once he knew, everything would change and she wouldn’t have a say in anything. She had to get things set up right from the start, which was much easier to plan than to do. Careless words now definitely wouldn’t help her.
‘Don’t look so worried.’ Leaning across the table, Luc stared her in the eyes. ‘I don’t expect you to divulge state secrets. I was just thinking what a good opportunity it was to release some tension and have a chat. You can start with the weather, if you like.’
She knew he was joking, but at least he’d made it possible to relax. She stared out of the window. ‘If we were in Brazil, maybe the weather might be a topic we could talk about, but the less said here, the better, I think, don’t you?’
She flinched as Luc’s knee brushed hers. She was so on edge he had to notice. Guilt must be emblazoned on her like a great big neon sign. But how was she supposed to sit across a narrow space from such a big man and not touch him? She tensed as the waitress arrived with their food, giving her a brief respite. Did he know? Had he guessed? She couldn’t tell. ‘You pick a topic. You start,’ she said, as soon as the waitress had left them.
‘I would have thought my topic was obvious.’
‘Really?’ She frowned. ‘Not to me.’
‘My topic’s you, Emma.’ Luc focused his whole attention on her. ‘I want you, Emma.’ Her throat instantly felt as if it was in a noose. ‘I want you in my bed,’ Luc continued smoothly.
Be sensible. This is not a romantic moment, she warned herself. Luc had spoken with about as much emotion as he had used to give their order for toast.
‘I want you in my bed because I enjoyed you,’ he said, confirming this as he angled his chin to direct a stare into her eyes. ‘I can’t stay in Scotland for much longer, so I want you to come back with me to Brazil.’
‘To Brazil,’ she breathed.
‘That is where I live most of the year.’
‘Yes, I know,’ she said faintly, ‘but I won’t be your mistress.’
Luc smiled wryly. ‘I wasn’t thinking of anything quite so permanent—and you’ve made it clear you wouldn’t want that. I always had you pegged as a career girl, which is why you’ve thrown me by working here.’ He glanced out of the window. ‘I can give you a job in Brazil and look after you for as long as—’
‘You want me?’ she supplied.
The humour left his eyes. ‘You make it sound so cold-blooded.’
‘Isn’t it? You’re paying me to sleep with you.’
‘Don’t put it so crudely.’
‘How would you put it?’
‘I would say we were both seizing the moment and making the most of it for as long as it lasts. You would never have to worry about anything again. You’d never have to work another day in your life, if you didn’t want to. And you’d get to sleep with me every night.’ He laughed.
Emma didn’t laugh. ‘Until you tire of me and throw me out.’
Luc sat back, appearing wholly at ease with his suggestion. He didn’t even have the good grace to seem impatient at her comment. ‘It’s a great offer, Emma.’
‘It’s prostitution dressed up in a uniform of your choice.’
‘That’s harsh.’
‘But it’s the truth, and you can’t deny it.’
Luc didn’t even attempt to deny it. ‘Looking at it your way, you must admit that what I’m suggesting is cost-effective.’
‘What?’ she exploded. ‘You are totally shameless.’
‘I’m just being open about the fact that I don’t want you for just one night, or even a couple of nights. I want you in Brazil so I can have sex with you whenever I want.’
‘That’s outrageous.’
‘It’s honest.’ He put a restraining hand on her arm when she started to get up. ‘Sit,’ he recommended.
People had turned to stare, and the last thing she wanted was to cause a scene. ‘If that was your idea of a joke—’
‘It was no joke,’ Lucas assured her.
She was lost for words. She couldn’t believe that even Luc could be so brazen when it came to spelling out his sexual shopping list. There was no love involved. It was a cold-blooded proposition made by a man who could buy anything he wanted. Luc was just making a bid for another item on his list.
>
‘I enjoyed you in London,’ he said, confirming this. ‘I want to enjoy you again. What’s so strange about that?’ He shrugged. ‘You’re not exactly going to miss much here—no career prospects. No lifestyle. No nothing. Why not take a chance, Emma, and come with me? You enjoyed me pleasuring you. Why pretend that’s not what you want?’
Her body tensed at his words, betraying her with pleasure that pulsed low and insistently when she wanted to snarl at him that his suggestion was the most insulting thing she’d ever heard in her life.
‘Yes?’ Luc prompted as she shifted position. ‘Does your discomfort signify yes?’
‘It means no,’ she stated firmly, gathering what little remained of her senses. ‘It means you’ve made me feel more uncomfortable in public than I ever have, and that’s nothing to be proud of.’
‘I’ve made you feel something,’ he agreed, seeming not in the least bit perturbed. ‘And that’s a good thing, as far as I can tell. You’ve locked yourself away, Emma—and in more ways than one.’
‘You could at least have pretended.’
‘What? Been less blunt for the sake of good manners? I think we’re past that, aren’t we, Emma? Or would you prefer me to invite you to Brazil for a cultural tour?’
Luc had no intention of pretending that he wanted her for anything other than sex. And if he was after points for honesty, he could go take a hike.
‘Come on, Emma,’ he coaxed her in a softer tone, leaning over the table. ‘I have a big appetite and so do you—and waiting to be fed doesn’t suit me.’
For the second time during breakfast she was lost for words. She had no strategies to deal with Luc. She doubted there were any. So acquire some fast, Emma, told herself fiercely.
Standing up, she flashed a smile at the lady behind the counter as she put down enough money to cover their meal, including a generous tip. ‘See you soon,’ she called out brightly as she headed for the door. Luc’s proposition might have brought memories flooding back, but no way was she selling out to the highest bidder.
Not even the father of her baby could derail her from her career goal. She would make a future for herself and for her child—and she’d do that without sleeping with Luc. She waited for the lights to turn green and then started to stalk across the road—
She’d barely taken a step when she hit a patch of ice and her legs flew from under her. It was only thanks to two strong arms catching hold of her just in time that she was saved from possible serious harm. She flashed a glance up, but she already knew who had saved her. She would know that grip, those hands, that strength, that control anywhere. ‘Thank you,’ she managed, as she caught her breath.
Steadying her on her feet, Luc brushed the hair from her eyes and straightened her scarf, and then he stood back. Briefly, she saw a look in his eyes that said, Know that I will not allow you to get away from me a second time, but just as quickly it was gone. And then he laughed. Of course he laughed. This was all just a game to Luc.
‘You are impossible,’ she flashed angrily. ‘I hope you realise that.’
‘Oh, I do,’ he agreed. His powerful shoulders eased in an unconcerned shrug. ‘You don’t have to give me your answer right away.’
‘Oh, please,’ she insisted. ‘Let me give it to you now.’ She drew a breath and then fired at him, ‘No.’
Easing onto one hip, he assured her, ‘You’ll change your mind. I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think about it.’
‘I don’t need time to think about it. What do I have to say to convince you?’ She raked her hair with frustration. ‘You might not think I’ve got much here, but I’ve got my pride, and I’ve got a life here. I won’t be scrubbing floors for ever. I have plans.’
‘And so do I,’ Luc interrupted. ‘I have plans for you.’
‘I think I know what they are.’
‘And I think you’re wrong. Why don’t you give me a chance to explain?’
‘Because your plans belong in the Dark Ages when men thought women were glad to hear they would never have to work another day in their life, while I happen to live in the real world, where women are quite capable of getting along without men.’
‘Without men?’ He smiled. ‘Not you, Emma. But, as it happens, making your own way in the world is exactly what I’m talking about—but if you don’t want to hear my suggestion...’ Shoving his hands in his pockets, Luc strolled alongside her as she hurried back to the hotel. ‘I’m not going to talk about it now, because I want you with a clear head when I do. So you’re going to take a rest now, and then we’ll have lunch and talk this through again without emotion.’
She stopped dead. ‘Have you listened to a word I’ve said?’
‘I’ve listened to everything you’ve said,’ Luc assured her, ‘and I’m entitled to my opinion. You have to take better care of yourself, Emma. You look wrecked. You’re too pale. You’re overworked, and you’re getting nowhere fast.’
‘I’ve heard enough,’ she said as she brushed past him.
‘You’re wasting time, Emma. I will wear you down.’
‘Oh...’ She laughed. ‘You and the housekeeper here are both determined to wear me out, or down, it seems to me.’ She stopped outside the hotel gates. ‘Get this through your head, Luc. Whatever it is you’ve got planned, it isn’t going to happen so don’t waste your time. It might be customary in the world you inhabit to buy any woman who takes your fancy, but in my world women don’t sell themselves to a man.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you earn your keep.’
He said this softly, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. Shaking her head with incredulity, as if that could blank out the sight of the attractive crease that appeared in Luc’s ridiculously handsome face, she gave a thought to the bigger picture. She had to tell him. She couldn’t risk alienating him completely. Maybe lunch would work. If they had an unemotional meeting over food, it could be the right moment to tell him. ‘We do have to talk,’ she admitted, ‘just to set you straight once and for all, but only if you promise not to bring up the subject of my becoming your mistress again.’
His smile flashed heat from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. ‘As I’ve already explained, I don’t plan anything so permanent.’
‘But you want me under your power in Brazil.’
‘You’d certainly be under me.’
Exasperated, she shook her head. ‘Breakfast didn’t work. Why should lunch be any better? We can’t even hold a civil conversation over a boiled egg.’
‘Try it,’ Luc suggested. ‘I know you want to.’
Yes, but not for the reasons he thought. ‘If you have a serious job offer for me to consider, I might be interested in visiting Brazil. Otherwise? Not a chance. And any job you offer me would have to come without strings attached. I would need a proper contract,’ she stressed, struggling to blank the memories of endless pleasure at his hands as Luc studied her.
‘So—lunch?’ he said, jolting her back to reality. ‘I still owe you for breakfast, remember?’
‘I paid because I don’t want to feel I owe you anything. You don’t have to pay me back,’ she said when Luc began to speak. ‘I don’t need your money, Luc. And I don’t need you.’
‘But you want me,’ he said, confident as ever.
She hated him for being right, but knew that everything could change in the blink of an eye. Luc was being so reasonable now—so good-humoured and easygoing. But tell him about the baby and everything would change.
Face the problem now. Don’t leave it to fester and grow bigger.
‘Late lunch?’ she suggested briskly, working out how long it would take her to rest and recover.
Luc’s lips pressed down with satisfaction at her apparent climb-down. ‘Are you sure you can spare the time?’
‘I usually take a break for a c
ouple of hours in the afternoon before I start work again.’
‘Then it’s a date,’ he confirmed, all humour gone from his face, as if that were another deal signed, sealed and delivered, and there was no longer any need to work the charm.
* * *
So much for his foolproof plan, Luc concluded as he strode back to the café to pick up his car. He should have known Emma would need a different approach from other women. She wasn’t on the lookout for a wealthy sponsor. She never had been. He had always taken it for granted that with his busy schedule it was more straightforward to be the provider of good things with no strings attached, but trying that approach with Emma had just nosedived spectacularly. Her refreshingly blunt responses made him laugh out loud as he mentally replayed them as he walked back along the ice-bound streets. His libido would have to wait until he came up with a better offer, like a serious job she really would be a fool to refuse. Patience, he told himself sensibly. He had business to finish in town, and not too long to wait until he saw Emma again and could hit her with a revised proposition.
When his work was done, he drove back at a leisurely pace to the hotel. The first thing he did when he reached his room was to call the front desk to ask to speak to Emma.
So much for her afternoon rest!
Cursing viciously, he replaced the receiver. What now? Was she trying to kill herself? They’d informed him that, yes, Ms Fane was in the hotel, but as she was working she couldn’t come to the phone. Why, when she had said she was going to take a rest, was Emma back at work? What was she trying to prove? Surely she couldn’t need money so badly?
Pacing the room, he examined the facts. When her parents’ criminal activities had come to light, the courts had confiscated everything they’d owned, so Emma had inherited nothing, but she was a capable woman who didn’t strike him as being dependent on anyone, let alone the parents who, by all accounts, had never shown much interest in her.
He stared out of the window at the grey scene below. Traffic was barely moving, and what few people were brave enough to venture out on foot were bundled up in what appeared to be every heavy winter garment they possessed. His thoughts turned to Emma with the sultry sun of Brazil on her face.
Brazilian's Nine Months' Notice Page 5
