by Maya Blake
‘Bastien...’
His name had never sounded so arousing. He sucked in a fortifying breath and closed his eyes to restore a little sanity. When he glanced up, her gaze was locked on his.
She was ready. He was more than fit to burst. With one kiss deposited on each globe of her rear, he kissed his way up her spine.
He settled them on the bed, her back to his front. Reaching an arm around her, he lifted her leg and pulled it back over his hip. This time when she turned to look at him he was ready for her. He planted a hot, hungry kiss on her soft ruby-coloured mouth.
‘This is my favourite position. Tell me if you like it.’
He thrust inside her, giving a muted sound of pleasure when her tight inner muscles closed around him. One hand on her stomach held her firm as he thrust again.
She cried out, sending his senses spiralling higher.
‘Do you like it?’ He had to know—had to hear her say it.
‘Yes.’ The word was dragged out of her. It echoed through the room and infused him with a satisfaction he’d never craved before. Spearing a hand through her hair, he held her, kissed her as his hips rocked back and forth.
Her arm curved over the back of his head as if to hold him.
I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine. The words filtered through his subconscious. Their deeper meaning threatened to invade his mind, but it splintered apart with the force of his desire.
Ana tore her lips from his, her breath fracturing as she neared her peak. He caught a delicate earlobe between his lips, his own need clamouring for release. Minute spasms caressed his shaft. He groaned, watched her eyes flutter closed as her bottom pushed forcefully against his pelvis.
‘Bastien!’ She grasped his arm, convulsions raking through her as she gave in to her climax.
With a roar that drowned out her cries he thrust one last time. He came with a rush that emptied every last coherent thought from his mind, leaving him free to soar as he’d never soared before.
At the back of his mind he knew he held her too tightly, that he risked bruising her soft skin, but he needed to hold on because she represented the only safe thing to hang on to as he experienced an unprecedented level of pleasure.
Bastien told himself it was impossible, that he was merely imagining it, but he closed his eyes, unwilling to confront his feelings as spasms continued to rake his body.
When they finally subsided he dropped one last, spent kiss on her jaw. Words, unfamiliar and unnerving, trembled on the edges of his mind.
‘You were magnifique, ma petite,’ he croaked. He wanted to say more, but he stopped himself just in time. He was already way out of his comfort zone.
* * *
Ana came awake slowly. Which should have warned her that something was different. Normally she awoke instantly, her mind fresh, alert.
It was almost as if her subconscious wanted to protect her from the harsh reality of the morning after.
She knew immediately she was alone.
His scent clung to the sheets. She steeled herself not to bury her face in the pillow, breathe deeply and imprint his potent smell on her senses for all time.
He’d kept his word.
One night only. The fact that he hadn’t stuck around till morning caused her heart to shrivel with pain. He’d slept with her and now he was done with her.
Remembering their lovemaking—how wanton and needy she’d been—brought a rush of heat to her cheeks. That last time, just as dawn had broken, she’d thought she’d die with pleasure...had even lost touch with reality for several seconds.
Was this what drove her mother? Why she chased after men with such relentless purpose? If this feeling was what she experienced every time she found a new man then Ana could understand a small measure of why her mother did what she did.
Ana’s every sinew sang with fulfilment even though she knew she’d never relive this experience again.
The knowledge shortened her breath, lodged fear deep in her heart, making her fiercely glad Bastien wasn’t around. She had a hard enough time hiding her feelings from him normally. Raw and naked like this he would have spotted her turmoil in seconds. Every single promise she’d made to stay away from him had come to nothing. In the end she’d fallen into his arm with damning ease.
She shifted and immediately her body reminded her of last night. She replayed his hoarse cries in her mind, her own pleasured gasps as she’d attained peak after peak of bliss.
Bastien had helped her to explore the hitherto terrifying sensuality that had made her fear intimacy. And for that she’d always be grateful.
But the night was over.
Sitting up, she raked a slow hand through her tangled hair and tried to stem the deep yearning in her heart. She had no business yearning. She just had to focus on getting through the next few weeks. Then she could focus on the rest of her life.
Standing, she snatched up her clothes, deliberately keeping her gaze from the rumpled bed. Donning her skirt and top, she quickly left Bastien’s room.
But, standing under the spray of the shower, Ana couldn’t stop her hands caressing her skin. The deep knowledge that something fundamental had changed in her was unshakeable.
Unwilling to dwell on her thoughts, she hurriedly dressed in a grey linen skirt and a pink cashmere top. Leaving her hair loose, she applied a light gloss to her lips. Slipping her phone into her pocket, she went downstairs, her heart clambering into her throat at the thought of seeing Bastien again.
She found him at the dining table, showered and dressed in a blue shirt over which he wore a black sweater. She couldn’t see the rest of his attire from where she lingered in the doorway, but she knew it would be no less immaculate. His head was bent over his newspaper, a lock of dark golden hair falling over his brow.
The yearning rushed back, fiercer than ever. Ana stood frozen in the doorway as the realisation of how much yearning she seemed to do around Bastien hit home.
He raised his head and speared her with those mesmerising eyes. With a casual flick of his wrist he discarded the paper, rose and approached her.
One hand traced her jaw, caressed it slowly until he captured her nape. Holding her still, he kissed her, deep and long.
Every single thought fled her head.
‘Bonjour,’ he greeted her when he lifted his head. ‘You slept well.’ It wasn’t a question.
‘Yes.’
He smiled. ‘You must be hungry.’ He led her to the table, waited until she’d sat, then offered fruit and poured her a cup of coffee. Slicing open a croissant, he buttered it, added a light spreading of jam—just the way she liked it—and passed it to her.
‘Thank you,’ Ana murmured, and took a bite, confusion warring with the flames of desire in her belly. She’d expected Bastien to return to his impassive best now that their night of passion was over. Instead he was being charming, pleasant.
‘The production crew arrive tomorrow,’ he said, biting into a halved peach. ‘So today’s your last day of leisure. What would you like to do?’
She blinked. ‘Uh, if you don’t mind I’d like to take Rebelle out for a ride.’
‘That’s one idea.’
His gaze drifted over her, triggering a blush that flooded her whole body. Her hands shook as she lowered her cup to its saucer.
‘What’s another?’
He casually reached out and traced her cheek with gentle fingers. ‘I can ask Chantal to prepare a picnic lunch. We could take the boat on the lake this afternoon.’
Surprise followed by pleasure lit through her. ‘Okay, you win. That sounds wonderful.’
His smile widened, causing her heart to hammer wildly. ‘Bien.’ He motioned for her to eat and picked up his paper. ‘I have a few things to attend to this morning. Meet me down at the pier at one.’
He quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘What are your plans for the rest of the morning?’
‘I noticed you have some audio books in your library. You don’t mind me borrowing one, do you?’ she asked.
A light frown touched his brows. ‘Of course not.’
‘Thanks.’ Ana finished her meal and pushed back her chair.
‘Wait.’ He stood and walked her to the door.
Her heart dropped. Had she unwittingly given her secret away with her request? ‘Yes...?’
Leaning forward, he dropped another kiss on her lips. ‘Don’t forget to dress warmly. The weather might be milder than expected but it can change, especially further north.’
Relief made her smile. ‘Thanks.’
Ana escaped, her confusion rising to colossal proportions. Evidently morning-after etiquette didn’t include a post-mortem of the night before. But did it include long, passionate kisses that reminded her of everything they’d done in bed together?
She wanted to ask him what he was playing at, but part of her was afraid that he’d stop. And the way she was going she wasn’t above begging for a repeat performance.
The vibration of her phone as she entered the library brought welcome relief from her thoughts. Sliding it out of her pocket, she answered.
‘Oh, finally. I’ve been trying to reach you since last night,’ Lauren said.
Knowing why she’d been unreachable, Ana’s face flamed. ‘Sorry, my phone was set on vibrate,’ she mumbled.
‘I just wanted a quick catch-up. You normally call to discuss every clause in your contract, but this time you didn’t. I was wondering why...’
She launched into her signature staccato burst of speech, forcing Ana to concentrate.
At first Ana couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Dazed, she gripped the phone tighter, her heart sliding with dread into her stomach. ‘Sorry, Lauren, can you repeat that, please?’
Lauren sighed and launched into another rapid-fire delivery.
By the time Ana ended the phone call she felt as if every single drop of blood had drained from her veins. She clutched the back of an armchair, struggling to breathe as Lauren’s words rang through her brain.
Vaguely she heard the door open and close. Heard footsteps draw closer and Bastien’s harsh curse.
‘Ana! What’s wrong?’
He sounded...concerned. But she knew she couldn’t be hearing right. Knew it was a lie. How skilfully he’d fooled her!
From feeling faint, now she felt almost supernatural strength surge into her veins. She whirled and faced him.
‘You bastard! You vile, despicable bastard.’
CHAPTER NINE
BASTIEN’S FACE HARDENED. ‘I’m sure I can prove you wrong on the bastard issue, just as I’m sure you’re about to enlighten me on these “vile, despicable” things I’m supposed to have done.’
‘You know exactly what you’ve done. More or less—those were your words! God, how could I have been so stupid!’
Ana couldn’t control her shaking or stem the deep well of pain springing up in her heart. She’d trusted him. She’d dropped her guard and given herself to him.
One brow lifted. ‘I’m afraid you’re not making any sense. Try again.’
‘My contract!’ Why couldn’t she hold her voice steady? Why did it have to break now, when she needed to be strong? ‘I trusted you.’ She’d felt safe with him, foolishly let herself believe he wouldn’t hurt her.
He exhaled slowly, a wash of bleakness blanking his features before he blinked it away. ‘What about your contract?’
‘You said it was “more or less” the same as the other one. Except you lied. It’s so much more! Sleeping with me—was that a reward to yourself for successfully tricking me?’
His eyes grew arctic-cold. Stalking to where she stood, he grabbed her arm. ‘You debase yourself with that assumption, Ana, and you debase me,’ he breathed in soft, dangerous tones. ‘I’ve never slept with anyone to secure a business deal.’
‘A way of congratulating yourself for a job well done, then?’
He let go abruptly, as if he couldn’t stand to touch her. ‘I’m assuming this is how you feel about your contract. But I’m still in the dark as to how you think I’ve tricked you,’ he incised.
‘You know what you’ve done. My last contract was supposed to finish next month. Instead you’ve tied me into a contract for another year!’
‘And I’m guessing you have a problem with that?’
‘No. I’m flinging insults at you just for the hell of it. Deep down inside, Bastien, I’m actually dancing a jig.’
‘Facetiousness doesn’t suit you.’
‘No? Perhaps you’d prefer me to come over there and claw your eyes out?’
Her voice broke again. And, damn it, tears welled in her eyes. They grew faster than she could stop them and spilled over before she could blink them away.
She swiped her cheeks with an angry hand. ‘How could you, Bastien?’
‘It’s just business,’ he replied coolly, but something flitted through his eyes, a slight softening as he traced her tearstained cheek.
‘My life isn’t just business. My future isn’t just business!’
His brows clamped together. ‘Je ne comprends pas. You read the contract. Why did you sign it if you didn’t agree with the terms?’
Her tears spilled faster, her shame closing in on her in a thick cloud of despair. She tried to look away, but Bastien’s gaze had locked on hers with unwavering intensity. Her throat clogged with even more tears, her heart sinking as he came closer and grasped her shoulders.
‘Why did you sign the contract, Ana?’ he demanded.
She tried desperately to wrench herself out of his hold but he easily restrained her. More tears slid down her cheeks. She swallowed another sob, knowing there was no place to hide. ‘Because I...I didn’t want to admit that I...that I can’t...’
His grip tightened. ‘That you can’t what?’
‘That I can’t read!’
His eyes widened. His jaw dropped along with his hands.
At any moment Ana knew his astonishment would be replaced with disgust. And she couldn’t bear that—couldn’t stand to see his revulsion at the realisation that he’d slept with someone who couldn’t string two words together on a page.
Brushing past him, she fled the room. That he didn’t stop her or even call out to her spoke volumes.
Ana didn’t stop until she was outside, gasping in lungfuls of air as if they would stem the tears rolling freely down her face. But sobs continued to surge through her chest, released in agonising sounds that ripped through the morning air. She stumbled into the garden. Bypassing the koi pond, she ran until she found a bench on the far side of the grounds. Sinking down onto it, she dropped her face into her hands.
The secret she’d carried with her for more than half her life was out. Part of her felt relief that she no longer had to carry the heavy burden. But a larger part of her would have given anything to take it back. Because Bastien would never look at her the same way again. A man in his position wouldn’t want to associate himself with anyone with her handicap. Who would want an illiterate model representing his world-class diamonds?
Fresh sobs clogged her throat. Defiantly, she swallowed them down. He’d lulled her into a false sense of security by letting her believe everything was above-board. It didn’t sit well to acknowledge that part of it was her fault. She’d been so inclined to believe the good in Bastien that she’d dropped her vigilance when it came to her career.
She heard his approach a second before he emerged from behind a rose bush. Tall and powerful, he blocked out the bright sunshine when he stopped in front of her.<
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She turned away, hoping the curtain of her hair would hide her blotched, tearstained face.
‘Go away, Bastien.’ After all that had happened, after trusting him with her body, she just couldn’t face him.
He didn’t respond. Instead a square, neatly folded handkerchief appeared before her eyes. Mutely, she stared at it, wondered why it made her want to cry all over again.
She snatched it from him with curt thanks, tried to repair as much of the damage as possible and cringed when a hiccup escaped.
He folded his large frame on to the bench next to her and awareness of a different sort scythed through her as his thigh brushed hers. Surreptitiously she eased away.
If he noticed he didn’t comment. Neither did he break the silence. It screeched on her nerves until, unable to stand it, she glanced furtively at him.
He was studying his hands, folded between his thighs. Sensing her gaze, his eyes locked with hers.
‘The newspaper and the audio books?’ he asked simply.
Face flaming, she nodded.
‘Tell me,’ he coaxed gently.
Her lips quivered and she looked away. ‘I’d rather not.’
‘It’s nothing to be ashamed of, ma petite.’ His voice was a low rumble. ‘Dyslexia is a common—’
‘I don’t suffer from dyslexia. I can barely read or write because until I took matters into my own hands a year ago I’d never been taught how.’ She waited for his revulsion, fresh tears stinging her eyes.
It never came. His eyes remained steady on hers, curiosity the only emotion she glimpsed in the silver depths.
‘Why not?’
She heaved in a breath. ‘At the time of my parents’ divorce Lily was still modelling. When my father lost the custody battle he was devastated. He returned to Colombia and she immediately pulled me out of school with the excuse that she was taking me travelling and would hire tutors for me. And she did in the beginning. But she wouldn’t pay the tutors and they would leave after a couple of months.
