‘I don’t know what to think,’ Margarita said frankly. ‘And I don’t want to raise your hopes. But after what I saw at the finca…all those people putting their trust in you…and then seeing the sharks circling at Claudia’s. You have to keep up your investigations, Annalisa, until every single possibility has been exhausted.’
As the plane levelled off Annalisa opened the buff-coloured envelope that had been waiting for her at the airport. She blinked as she read the contents through again. She had never seen so many noughts in her life. And the offer for the finca had come from—Claudia Fuego Montoya.
She stuffed the letter back into the envelope and then stuck them both into the rubbish bin at her side. There wasn’t enough money in the world to tempt her to sell the finca. There had to be a way to save it and she wasn’t about to give up without a fight.
It seemed odd, coming back to her hometown and feeling like a stranger. But all her friends were married and scattered. She had no relatives, and the tiny house where she’d used to live with her mother had new occupants… She couldn’t resist walking down the old road, and smiled when she saw the children playing in the front garden that seemed to have grown so much smaller than she remembered. She stood watching for a moment and then, burying her head deeper into her jacket, she hurried on.
Officially it was spring, but there was a sharp north wind and, catching sight of a bus, Annalisa hurried across the road. The appointment with her mother’s solicitor was later that afternoon and she had already checked into a small bed and breakfast establishment just off the high road. Paying the fare, she steadied herself as the bus jolted forward. It was quite a change from Ramon’s limousine. But if it took her to someone who could help her save the finca it was the best transport on earth.
She stopped dead in her tracks and tucked her chin even deeper inside her jacket. Her heart was racing so fast she could hardly breathe. Even cloaked in a long navy blue cashmere coat, the tall figure was unmistakable. She turned around to catch her breath, hoping he hadn’t seen her yet. She needed time to think, to prepare—
‘Annalisa!’
Pulling her jacket collar higher around her face, she started walking towards him.
‘You look frozen.’ Instinctively his hands went to her shoulders and he rubbed as if to coax some warmth into her.
‘I’m fine.’ But his touch only accelerated her tremors.
‘Like hell,’ Ramon argued. ‘Come on, I’ll get you a coffee…warm you up.’
‘Why are you here?’ As she stared up into Ramon’s handsome, familiar face, all she could think about was Margarita saying he loved her…and that now, instead of feeling ashamed, she could revel in the honey warmth of desire as it trickled through her veins.
‘I might ask you the same question,’ he drawled, the customary amusement glowing behind the intelligence in his shrewd dark eyes.
‘This is my hometown,’ she murmured, feeling as if her lips were already swelling in response to his hooded appraisal.
‘Believe it or not, you don’t need a permit to come here,’ Ramon countered softly, the curve of his sensuous mouth directing a bolt of lightning to her senses.
‘You haven’t answered my question yet,’ she reminded him in a low, challenging voice.
‘Where are you staying?’ he demanded.
‘Answer my question first,’ Annalisa insisted.
Ramon did—with an amused look and then silence.
‘You really are the most infuriating individual.’
‘So I’m told,’ he agreed. ‘So, where are you staying?’
With a look of exasperation she gave in. ‘At the Elm Tree.’
He thought for a moment. ‘Never heard of it.’
Hardly surprising, Annalisa thought. The simple accommodation was more likely to be rated in meteors than stars.
‘Let’s go back to my place,’ he suggested.
‘Actually, I can’t,’ she said, reminding herself why she was there. ‘I have an appointment with my solicitor.’
‘Patterson?’ he queried. ‘I’d like you to see someone else.’
‘How do you know the name of my mother’s solicitor?’
‘Don’t be so naïve,’ Ramon insisted. ‘What do you think it takes to stay ahead in business?’
‘I don’t see the connection between my mother’s solicitor and your business,’ she said suspiciously.
‘Like I said, Annalisa,’ he murmured, ‘Don’t be so naïve.’
‘Don’t you know how unethical it is for Patterson to discuss my business with you?’ she said, hardly knowing whether to be more concerned about his interest in her private life or the subtext in his eyes.
‘Don’t be so defensive. I might know his name, but I wouldn’t expect him to divulge any secrets—’
‘So how did you know when I would be here?’ Annalisa cut in.
‘Patterson’s secretary was less discreet,’ he admitted, in a way that made Annalisa picture the secretary’s rush to be as accommodating as possible.
‘So, who is this other lawyer?’ she demanded.
‘He’s a barrister. Would you like me to take you to see him?’
‘No, thank you,’ she said, determined to play it cool. ‘I’m sure that Mr Patterson will tell me everything I need to know.’
‘Well, if you encounter any difficulties—’
‘I won’t,’ Annalisa said confidently. But just as she was about to move past him something in his eyes held her back. ‘Why are you here, Ramon? Surely Finca Fuego Montoya is a very small project on the scale of your usual business?’
‘I’m committing no crime,’ he said obliquely.
Annalisa’s keen gaze tacked around his face, searching for clues. ‘Are you seriously telling me you couldn’t find a lawyer closer to home?’
She couldn’t help noticing how his eyes crinkled attractively at the corners when he smiled—she tore her gaze away. Ramon kept a whole legal team on his payroll. So what was he playing at?
‘I don’t have anyone working for me who had the right qualities to take on a case like this,’ he said.
Pressing her lips together, Annalisa narrowed her eyes. Was she going to call him a liar? It was hard to think straight when Ramon was standing right in front of her. ‘Well, if you’ll excuse me,’ she said evenly, ‘my appointment is in five minutes—’
‘I’ll wait for you.’
‘If you like.’ She could only hope she sounded calmer than she felt. Her heart rate was right off the scale. ‘I’d better go. I don’t want to be late.’
As he gave her a courteous half-bow Annalisa was left with the identical feeling she had experienced when they first met…that he knew a whole lot more than she did…and about far too many things.
CHAPTER SEVEN
‘YOU mean there’s nothing?’
‘I mean there’s not enough to furnish you with sufficient funds to save the finca. I’m very sorry, Miss Wilson.’
Annalisa swallowed and looked at her hands folded neatly in her lap, then up again into the concerned, bespectacled face of her mother’s lawyer. ‘Well, thank you, Mr Patterson, for being so frank with me.’
‘I only wish I had better news for you.’
‘I always knew it was a long shot,’ she said, sighing. ‘But I had to try.’
‘As I understand it,’ the solicitor continued in a more positive tone of voice, ‘if you sell the finca you will be a very wealthy young woman.’
Annalisa laughed mirthlessly. ‘That’s true. But I had hoped…’ She sighed again.
‘I know,’ Patterson said sympathetically. ‘Life seems to give with one hand and take away with the other. I see cases like this all the time.’
‘I’m sure you do,’ Annalisa said, her face relaxing into a smile. ‘And I really have nothing to complain about. As you said, I will have enough money to come back here and set up my own law practice.’
‘Something tells me that’s not what you had set your heart on.’
�
��You’d be right,’ she admitted.
‘If you’ll take a little advice from me…?’
‘Of course.’ What had she got to lose?
‘Follow your heart,’ he said.
Annalisa eyes sharpened with surprise. She had expected another dose of sound common sense, not some romantic notion from her mother’s legal advisor.
‘I can see you’re surprised,’ he said. ‘But believe me, Miss Wilson, I see far too many people trapped in a life they don’t want because they missed their window of opportunity. That window has opened for you. Don’t walk past it until you’re sure there’s no other way.’
‘Thank you, Mr Patterson,’ Annalisa said, smiling as she got to her feet and extended her hand. ‘If my dream survives this harsh brush with reality, you’ll be the first to know.’
‘I’ll be waiting to hear,’ he said, taking her hand in a firm grip. ‘And I have a good feeling about this.’
Annalisa blew sceptically through her lips as she went down the narrow flight of stairs that led from Mr Patterson’s office to the street. Since when had solicitors become optimists?
‘There you are,’ she said, walking over to where Ramon was standing beside his car.
‘Did you think I’d desert you?’ he demanded, opening the passenger door for her. ‘How did your meeting go?’
‘It ended on an optimistic note,’ she said honestly.
‘I’m pleased for you,’ Ramon said, drawing the large saloon smoothly away from the kerb.
‘Nice car.’
‘Not bad. How long do you plan to stay?’
‘How long do you plan to stay?’ she countered, smiling—but she should have known better.
‘As long as it takes. Hungry?’
She hadn’t thought about it up to now, but— ‘Yes. Starving, actually.’
‘Good. Me too.’
Being with him made her feel warm and safe, and as the indicator made a mellow ticking sound she stared out of the window to see where he was taking her. He turned into a long curving driveway, and now she could see what looked like a stately home coming into view. ‘Is this yours?’ she asked in surprise.
He shrugged non-committally. ‘Not yet. But it’s a rather good hotel. There’s an excellent restaurant,’ he added as he stopped in front of an impressive sweep of steps. ‘And you can use my room to freshen up.’
That jolted Annalisa out of her complacency. ‘I’m sure the ladies’ room will be fine,’ she said quickly. A visit to his room was not on the agenda. She had to keep a clear head until she knew what he was up to. ‘Are you sure I’ll be all right dressed like this?’ She peered down at the simple grey suit and plain white sweater she was wearing underneath a heavy wool jacket. Perfect for a visit to a solicitor’s office, but a bit understated for a swanky hotel.
‘You’ll be fine,’ Ramon said, brushing off her concern like any man who preferred the contents to the package. ‘I’m happy to eat in my suite, if you’d prefer. But something tells me you’d be more relaxed in the restaurant.’
He’d got that right! So why was she trembling? She had eaten lunch with him before…and dinner…
Before she could say anything he opened his window as a young man in a smart bottle-green uniform walked over to them.
‘Would you like me to park your car, sir?’
‘Thank you,’ Ramon said, climbing out and handing him the keys. ‘Annalisa?’ he said, coming around to open the door for her.
Stepping out, Annalisa gazed up the steps towards the impressive entrance, and then turned to look behind her at gardens laid out like a chessboard. ‘I’m definitely not dressed for this.’
‘You look perfect to me,’ he said, catching hold of her hand. ‘And, just to make sure you don’t disappear, I’m going to hold onto you.’
He wasn’t married, so it was all right to take his hand, she reminded herself—only to snatch it away again when she remembered that he was still a formidable business adversary.
‘Relax,’ he murmured, guiding her up the steps.
She had to force herself to try. There was no reason to suppose he had come to England for anything other than perfectly straightforward reasons. He probably intended to buy the hotel. But there was nothing remotely straightforward about the touch of his hand…it was electrifying.
The huge arched oak entrance doors led directly into a discreetly lit womb-warm lobby. The carpets were the kind you sank into, in various shades of red, and provided a mellow counterpoint to the carved wood panelling. Oil paintings lined the walls and there was a grand piano under the curve of the stairs. The glint of crystal and newly polished brass was the only ornament she could see apart from the profusion of fresh flowers in strategically placed vases.
‘Do you like it?’ Ramon asked when he had collected his key.
‘From what I’ve seen so far, I love it,’ Annalisa said honestly.
‘I may add this to my portfolio of luxury hideaways,’ he confided as he steered her towards the restaurant entrance. ‘Luigi?’ he called over a red corded rope.
A man in his middle fifties, wearing the immaculate uniform of a maître d’, hurried forward from the hushed depths of the sumptuous room. Seeing Ramon, he came across to unhook the rope with a flourish.
‘Signor Crianza Perez!’ he exclaimed in a flourish of Italian-accented English. ‘What may I do for you?’
‘A discreet table for two.’
‘Certainly, signore. And for the beautiful signorina, a red rose, I think.’
‘Twenty,’ Ramon said casually.
The suave Italian didn’t miss a beat. ‘Certamente, signore. Delivered to your suite?’
‘To the table,’ Ramon said, shooting Annalisa an amused glance.
‘That’s really not necessary—’ Annalisa began.
‘Once again, Annalisa,’ Ramon informed her darkly, ‘you find yourself on my territory. And, once again, here I make the rules.’
They were sharing private jokes?
‘And the ladies’ room is where?’ she said, in case he thought he was getting it all his own way. ‘I’d like to freshen up.’
‘To the right of the reception desk, signorina,’ Luigi said with a curious glance at Ramon.
When the menus arrived, Ramon waved them away. ‘Feed us, Luigi. Give me a taste of the kitchen.’
‘Certamente, Signor Perez.’
The smile on Luigi’s face couldn’t have been any wider without doing serious damage to his dentures, Annalisa thought. And if their table had been attracting attention before, it was nothing to the interest shown now, as dish after dish of delectable antipasto began to arrive.
A vast bouquet of red roses had been expertly arranged in a vase placed on a stand beside them, and if she felt something of a mouse in her businesslike outfit, Ramon looked stunning. His dazzling film star looks and black designer suit with its scarlet lining set him apart from every other man in the place. To say he was causing something of a sensation was an understatement, she thought, noticing how many of the young waitresses found an excuse to bring something to their table.
So far there had been no further clues as to what had brought either of them to England, until finally he said, ‘There’s someone else I’d like you to visit tomorrow.’
‘Ramon, before you tell me, I must warn you—’ He looked amused. She stopped. ‘I mean it, Ramon. Are you going to listen to me or not?’
‘Not.’
‘But I—’ She should be warning herself, not him, Annalisa realised as his gaze gradually darkened into something sensual and predatory.
‘You want to warn me about Claudia,’ he said softly, dipping his head to stare into her eyes. ‘Right?’
‘Well I—’
‘I already know,’ he said. ‘It’s all in hand. Don’t worry. Leave it all to me.’
‘But what about—’
‘Margarita? I trust my brother to do what is right.’
‘The finca—’
‘Can wait,’ he cut in fi
rmly. ‘Whereas I can’t,’ he said, maintaining eye contact until he was certain her frustration had shifted onto another track.
‘There’s more,’ she admitted hoarsely.
His eyebrows rose infinitesimally.
‘I…I owe you an apology.’
‘For what?’
‘For misjudging you.’ He wasn’t going to make it easy for her, Annalisa thought as she watched amusement start to tease the corners of his beautifully shaped lips.
‘Go on.’
‘I thought you were married—’ her throat dried completely ‘—to Margarita.’
He appeared to think about this for a moment. ‘Anything else?’
‘Well, there’s Enrique—stop it, Ramon!’
‘What am I doing?’
‘Stop looking at me like that.’
‘I like looking at you.’
‘But you like teasing me even better. Admit it.’
‘Guilty.’
Her heartbeat seemed to have taken over the whole of her body now, and as she tried to meet his eyes with confidence she felt sure he would see the vibrations thundering through her. ‘Well, I’m sorry, but—’
‘I accept your gracious apology.’ He cut over her smoothly. ‘Now before we go any further down this road, can we return to what I was saying?’
‘What—?’
‘I want you to see another lawyer.’
Her sigh of relief was almost audible. Now she knew how a fish felt when it was thrown back into the water! ‘Well, I’ve got the outfit,’ she said, feeling confident enough to risk a joke at her own expense.
‘It’s a date, then,’ Ramon said, leaning across the table to feed her a plump chocolate-tipped strawberry.
The way he sucked the chocolate off his fingers held her spellbound. Everything he did was so sexy…and so thorough. She could feel herself responding…softening…and had to force herself out of the trance when he broke eye contact to wipe his fingers on his starched white napkin. But even that was bewitching, when his long tanned fingers were so supple and strong— She started guiltily when she realised that he had put the napkin down and for the last few moments had been staring at her.
‘I really can’t eat another thing,’ she protested when he pointed to the fruit.
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