At the Brazilian's Command

by Susan Stephens

  ‘What are your hours?’ he demanded as he helped her down from the four wheel drive

  ‘Whatever’s required,’ she said.

  He believed her.

  ‘I’m building a nest egg. Remember that?’

  ‘You’re not going to build it at that place—there’s not even the money to pay you a fair wage.’

  She didn’t answer this.

  Taking hold of her hand, he helped her down. She let go of him at the first opportunity.

  ‘I hope I’m dressed appropriately tonight?’

  He smiled. She never could resist making a teasing barb. He took it as a good sign.

  ‘You’re dressed perfectly.’

  However tired she was, Danny would always look beautiful to him. However limited her budget, she looked like a queen. Tonight, in a simple dress of moss-green wool, and a pair of shoes that—well, the best that could be said for them was that they weren’t riding boots—she had a natural elegance that would put the society women he’d used to date to shame.

  ‘Let’s get one thing straight,’ she said at the foot of the steps.

  ‘By all means,’ he said pleasantly.

  ‘I only agreed to come to supper with you tonight because—’

  ‘Because...?’ He prompted with an amused stare.

  ‘Because you’re a stranger in town, and because it would be rude to ignore you.’

  ‘Extremely rude, considering you’re my wife,’ he agreed. ‘Come on. Let’s not keep Annie waiting.’

  Annie swept Danny into a hug, and then chivvied her up the steps and into the welcoming warmth beyond the sturdy front door.

  ‘I’ve prepared you both a lovely supper and left it in the library, where you’ll be snug,’ the housekeeper was telling Danny breathlessly as she ushered them down the newly redecorated hall.

  Tiago followed the two women into the library, glad to see them so close and Danny so happy. Asking Annie to come was a masterstroke. Danny had relaxed instantly in the older woman’s company.

  ‘This is a beautiful room,’ she said, turning to him now.

  ‘Thank you.’

  He was very proud of the library. He had dreamed of a room like this—of the adventures contained within the covers of a book—ever since he was a child, and had created a library exactly to that dream design. He’d recoiled at his designer’s suggestion that he buy books ‘by the yard’, and had handpicked each one and had them shipped to Scotland.

  The room was perfection, in his eyes, and never more so than now, with a fire burning lustily in the hearth, a feast prepared by Annie spread out on the table, and the woman he loved standing in the centre of the room. gazing around with wonder at the walls filled with books.

  Yes. He loved her—more than anything on this earth.

  ‘I can’t believe how stupid I was not to realise all this was going on down the road!’

  ‘Not stupid,’ he argued as Annie smiled and left them to it. ‘My people are the best, and they were under strict instructions not to create any upheaval with their heavy vehicles in the village—and I didn’t exactly run a banner across the sky.’

  ‘But still,’ she argued, running her hand across the newly refurbished mantelpiece. ‘You’ve restored everything to its original state. This is wonderful, Tiago.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  He had wanted to bring the old place back to life again, and now Danny was standing here he felt he had succeeded. The library was large and airy, with French doors leading out onto the newly reformed gardens, and there was a large oak table in the centre of the room, where he could sit and spread out his papers, but it was Danny who held his attention now.

  As she shook her head in surprise at one new discovery after another her hair caught the light and gleamed as if it were coated with gold dust. All the suspicion had gone from her face and all that was left was happiness. He could almost believe they had never been apart.

  ‘What?’ he asked as her head shot up and she turned round to look at him.

  ‘I’m such a fool. I almost forgot.’

  ‘Will you stop saying that? You are not a fool,’ he insisted as she hurried back to the chair where she’d left her bag. Goodness knew what her mother had called her in the past, but he could imagine.

  She delved inside her bag and rummaged around, before handing him a scrunched-up pack of biscuits. Taking care not to touch his hand, she said, ‘I’m afraid they’re a bit broken, but I made them for you. It’s traditional Scottish shortbread. We hand it out to visitors to encourage them to come back.’

  ‘Is that what you’re doing now, Danny?’

  Her cheeks flushed red as he stared into her eyes. Her gift thrilled him. He had been given a full-blood Arabian stallion by the daughter of a sheikh, and a watch beyond price by a princess—both of which he had returned. Well, he had bought the horse for a fair price later, at auction... But nothing in his life had meant more to him than this packet of broken biscuits.

  Broken? They looked as if they had been pulverised between Danny’s wringing hands.

  ‘You do eat carbs?’ she asked worriedly.

  He raised an amused brow. ‘Please...’

  ‘Okay.’ She risked a smile. ‘Only some sportsmen—’

  Danny had stopped talking, as if something in his face had made her think he was going to kiss her. It was sad to think his wife knew so little about him—but then they were both to blame for that.

  ‘We should eat,’ he said, moving away to give her space. ‘Annie’s made a feast for us. I’ll show you round later, if you like?’

  ‘I’d like...’ Danny’s brows drew together, as if she was trying to figure him out. ‘If this library is anything to go by, I suspect you’ve worked wonders on the rest of the house.’

  ‘You can judge for yourself after supper.’

  * * *

  She had seriously underestimated the effect of being close to Tiago after having spent so much time apart from him. When he didn’t look at her, her heart thundered with disappointment. And when he did look at her she could hardly breathe. And through all this she was supposed to appear cool and detached...

  It shouldn’t be hard, when Tiago was so calm, but keeping her own counsel was proving almost impossible when she longed to ask him about so many things. Like what was left between them now Tiago no longer needed a wife?

  Maybe the answer was in his manner. He was behaving more like an old friend keen to show her round his new house than a lover—let alone a husband. She would just have to adapt to this new situation between them, and fall into a similar role.

  * * *

  They took the tour after supper. He had to try very hard not to notice the soft dark green wool stretching over the plump swell of Danny’s buttocks as she walked in front of him, or her nipples pressing against the soft fabric through the fine lace of her bra. He concentrated instead on his wife’s animated face and the brilliance of her eyes, and relished the fact that it was thanks to Danny that he had learned so much about himself. He knew now that he wasn’t wholly gaucho or playboy, but a man determined to do his best. And if that meant curbing his playboy ways...

  ‘I like you here,’ Danny murmured as she looked around his home. ‘You seem more real.’

  He laughed. ‘Do you mean I’m a hologram in Brazil?’

  ‘No. A barbarian,’ she said without hesitation.

  ‘Would you have me any other way?’

  From the blush on her cheeks, he guessed not.

  She started making thoughtful comments about the décor, but all he could think about was taking her to bed, pleasuring her through the night, and not even bothering to muffle her screams of pleasure.

  Yes, he had aimed for discreet but sumptuous country casual, he agreed distractedly. And, ye
s again, he was glad she approved of the colour scheme. But frankly he wasn’t interested in jewel colours and expensive art when he had a living, breathing work of art standing in front of him, waiting to be undressed.

  ‘Nothing too obviously billionaire chic?’

  He laughed at her comment. ‘I suppose you could say that.’

  ‘So, who did you use?’

  He frowned. He knew whose body he’d like to use—right after he’d pleasured it into a state of erotic euphoria. ‘No one.’

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. ‘You mean you designed this all by yourself?’

  ‘All except the library. Would you like to see the rest of it?’ He led the way to the stairs.

  ‘Why not?’

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  TIAGO’S BEDROOM WAS full of mellow wood and rich coloured drapes—a necessity in the Highlands, where the wind could be cruel and even well-insulated houses could be gripped in a frozen chill for months on end. There were tasteful accessories in a variety of muted honey colours, and crisp white linen on the bed. Two elegant lamps stood one either side of the bed on nightstands covered in books.

  Feeling him close behind her, she turned and almost collided with him. From the way he was looking at her it was as if he knew everything she had been thinking...dreaming. Gathering herself quickly, she ignored the glint of understanding, and, yes, even humour in his eyes.

  ‘Are you ready to go home, Danny?’

  The way he was prompting her didn’t leave her with much option. He had even stood back to clear her way to the door.

  ‘Thank you for showing me around.’ She sketched a smile. She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t disappointed that the evening was over so soon, but what had she expected? ‘You have a beautiful home,’ she said truthfully. ‘I wish you every happiness living here. And in Brazil too, of course.’

  He escorted her to the door and helped her on with her jacket. He’d been the perfect gentleman throughout the entire evening. She knew she shouldn’t hope for anything more, but having Tiago back in her life, even in a new way, was disturbing...upsetting. He was a complex man who demanded life on his own terms—as she demanded life on her terms. How had she ever imagined they could meet in the middle?

  They couldn’t, she concluded as Tiago helped her into the car and closed the door.

  Why had he bought a Scottish estate? It couldn’t be Chico’s influence. No one influenced Tiago. She could understand him falling in love with the Highlands. Who wouldn’t? This rugged setting was a scenic feast and, as he’d said, this was a perfect base for him. But how would she feel with her estranged husband living down the road? What if he found someone else? What if Tiago had children with that person? Could she look on and feel nothing?

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, flashing a concerned glance at her after a long silence.

  ‘Yes. Thank you.’ If he had been trying to jolt her into feeling passionately about him—about life, about everything—he couldn’t have planned this evening better. And now she couldn’t resist asking him... ‘How long do you think you’ll spend here each year?’

  ‘That all depends.’

  She waited, but Tiago revealed nothing more. His attention was fixed on the icy road. How could they have become so distant? Had she really thought she could handle this? How wrong she’d been.

  ‘We’ll go riding on the estate tomorrow.’

  Her head shot up, but then she remembered her job. ‘I’m afraid I can’t.’

  ‘Your work?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You can take time off. I’ve spoken to your employer.’

  She frowned. ‘You didn’t think to ask me first?’

  ‘Forgive me.’

  Tiago was mocking her a little bit, but she would forgive him anything for one of those smiles.

  ‘It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse,’ he admitted.

  ‘You can’t just walk back into my life and take over.’

  ‘Shall I see you to your front door?’ he asked, unfazed by this.

  ‘That’s not necessary—’

  Ignoring her, he came round anyway and helped her out of the car. His touch was electric. She pulled back, still annoyed at the thought of her employer’s likely reaction when a world-famous polo player had knocked on his door, demanding that one of his staff have time off.

  ‘Thank you very much for tonight,’ she said formally, turning to face Tiago at the front door. ‘But please don’t interfere in the life I’m making here in future.’

  Inclining his head in a way that might have meant yes, or no, he smiled. Taking the key from her hand, he opened the front door. She flinched when he took hold of her shoulders, and then softened beneath his touch. She couldn’t help herself. Her reaction was automatic. The bond between them could survive anything, and nothing she could do or think would change that.

  ‘Goodnight, Danny...’ Dipping his head, Tiago brushed a chaste kiss against her cheek.

  ‘Goodnight...’

  Her stomach clenched with disappointment as he walked away.

  * * *

  He stood beneath a shower turned to ice, and then rubbed himself down roughly before falling naked into bed. Cursing viciously, he punched the pillows. Turning this way and that, he felt like a frustrated wolf that would be better off howling at the moon.

  He’d get no sleep tonight. Seeing Danny again had thrown him completely. He had thought he was ready for it—ready for her—and that the time for their reunion had come and he’d be able to handle it. Now he wasn’t sure of anything—except that his love for her had grown. And he wanted her more than ever.

  Every wasted second was a second too long. He was in the most acute agony of his life. Mental frustration and physical frustration had combined to torture him.

  He turned restlessly as his cell phone pinged. Picking it up, he scanned the number, then closed it down. He would not talk to Danny tonight—not over the phone. Nothing but having her in bed beside him would do. They belonged together.

  But he’d waited for her this long and he could wait a little longer. What was pain?

  He rejoiced in her strength, and in the fact that she had built a life for herself here. He even, however begrudgingly, had to admit that she was doing very well without him. So whatever she wanted from him tonight would have to wait until tomorrow morning.

  * * *

  The air was blue by the time Danny had pulled the bedcovers up to her chin. How dared Tiago come back into her life and interfere?

  Had he found someone else?

  Why else would he be so distant with her?

  Had he lost all feeling for her?

  Clearly he had.

  How dared he refuse to take her call? She had wanted to warn him off one last time.

  She had wanted to hear his voice before falling asleep.

  How dared he speak to her employer without her express permission?

  She took out her frustration on the pillow.

  And how was everyone on the ranch?

  Why hadn’t he told her? Did that mean she was never going to see them again?

  She picked up the phone to call him again but it went straight to voicemail. Again!

  Damn the man! She didn’t need him anyway!

  She didn’t need anyone!

  Burying her head between the pillows, as if Tiago might hear her noisy sobs of anger and frustration, failure, longing and loneliness all the way over at the big house at Lochmaglen, she dragged the jacket of her flannelette pyjamas a little closer and curled up tightly in a ball.

  She must have fallen asleep almost immediately, but woke feeling as if she hadn’t slept at all. She had been dreaming about Tiago all night, Danny realised groggily. She’d been telling him how glad she was that he was back.
And then they’d made love. She would never forget that dream. Her body would never forget that dream. She would always remember Tiago kissing her as if they’d spent a lifetime apart, rather than a matter of weeks. And then, when they had been resting, she’d told him she loved him, and Tiago had said he loved her too.

  Dreams!

  And now she had work to do. But first she had to speak to her employer and reassure him that she wouldn’t be taking any time off—contrary to whatever he might have been told by their new and forceful neighbour.

  She showered and dressed, and then ate breakfast. With a piece of buttered toast clamped between her teeth she hurried over to the stable block, and soon she was immersed in the work she loved.

  But not for long.

  Hooves clattering across the cobblestones reminded her that Tiago still expected them to ride out together this morning.

  And what Tiago wants, Tiago gets...

  Not on her watch.

  That thought couldn’t stop her heart going crazy. Whatever she thought of him—or of herself, or of the way she had handled their relationship up to now—Tiago would always make her world a brighter place. Just more annoying, she reflected with amusement as he rode into the yard.

  ‘Nice horse,’ she commented mildly.

  Colossal understatement. Tiago was riding a fancy stallion that must have cost a king’s ransom, and he was leading an equally fine grey at his side.

  ‘Good morning, Danny.’

  His voice played her like a violin, reverberating all the way through her.

  ‘I trust you slept well?’

  As well as he had, apparently. He had dark circles under his eyes too.

  ‘Very well, thank you,’ she said primly, while her body went on a rampage of lust.

  With his swarthy skin, his unshaven face, and a bandana barely keeping his wild black hair under control, Tiago looked like every woman’s answer to lonely nights. His relaxed way of riding suggested the master of the sexual universe had arrived. He was dressed in jeans and boots, and a rugged black jacket with the collar turned up against the wind, but it was his dark eyes that held her.