by Girard, Dara
“Does he know that?”
“Yes, I gave him my answer.”
“What was it?”
“I told him that it would never work.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s someone else.”
“Hmm.” Lucian loosened the string of her top.
“Stop that,” she said when he began to remove it. “I can undress myself.”
“So what? I like doing this.”
“Even if I don’t want you to?”
“You want me to, or you wouldn’t still be here.” He tossed her top away.
“Wait!” Nikki reached out, frantically trying to grab it. “It will float out into the ocean.” She lunged for it.
Lucian wrapped his arm around her waist and held her still. “What a wonderful souvenir for someone to find.”
“And what about me?” she said, covering her chest. “Now I have nothing. Why did you do that?”
His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I’m a beast, remember?”
She slipped out of his grasp and swam to the shore.
He watched her. “You surrender?”
Nikki stepped out of the water and then took off her bikini bottoms and waved them in the air. “Does this look like surrender?”
“Come here.”
She dropped her bikini bottoms on the ground and slowly walked toward him, the silky water rising up to meet her. “Are you going to let me catch you?”
Lucian let her catch him and a lot more. His mouth met hers and soon his body was on top of hers, and she felt the cool, wet sand pressed against her back, the waves cascading over their bodies. She could smell the sea on him and his own earthy scent. And as his roaming hands embraced her, she felt intoxicated by her own need for him, her need to be with him.
“Let me do the other rooms,” Nikki breathed.
Lucian gave a hoarse laugh of surprise. “I knew there was a price.”
“You can afford it.” She slid her hand down his back, curving into him.
“Can I?”
“I want you to trust me. I have lots of ideas.”
His hand scaled down her chest. “Let me see what you do with the room first.”
“If you like it, will you concede?”
His eyes gleamed with humor. “I can lie.”
“You won’t.”
“You sound confident about that.”
“You’re an honest man. And I know you’re going to like it.”
“Fine. Now stop talking.” He silenced her with a deep, slow kiss.
“So you’ve forgiven me?” Nikki asked when he drew away.
“I don’t care what you think of me anymore,” Lucian said in a ragged whisper. “I want you too much. When I saw you standing there naked as the soft rays of the setting sun touched your skin, I knew nothing else mattered. I don’t care what anyone says or thinks. I know what I am and I know what I look like. I know it’s revolting, and you can scream in terror if you want to, but it won’t stop me tonight.”
“I won’t scream,” Nikki said, letting her fingers caress the raised flesh on his back. “The only sounds I’ll make will be of exquisite pleasure.” She spread her legs, making entrance easy. “Do I have to wait?”
His answer was eloquent enough for both of them. And together they were filled with a passionate completeness. They no longer felt like bodies, but entwined souls.
“Call me a greedy bastard,” Lucian said in an almost savage voice. “Because I want to feel every inch of you.”
“Only if you’ll let me do the same,” Nikki said, showering him with kisses. “Lucian, you are magnificent. In your arms I feel like a queen. No, don’t let go. Hold me tight.” She wrapped her legs around him. “Do you feel like a man now?”
“I need some more persuasion.”
“With pleasure.”
They made love until they were both exhausted and the sun had disappeared. Finally they pulled away, and Lucian stared up at the sky, feeling as if he could float up to the stars. “You should go to bed.”
“Would you like to join me?”
Yes, but he didn’t want to have her see him struggle into his trunks and limp his way back to the house. He wanted her to remember him as he was now: in the water, where he could carry her and hold her, where he seemed strong. On land all that was lost. “Another time.”
Nikki put on her robe, then bent down to kiss him. “Good night. Dream of me.”
He closed his eyes. “I already do,” he said, and he heard her laughter as she walked away.
She wouldn’t sleep that night. Nikki casually wandered up the stairs, heading toward her bedroom as if in a dream. That was when she heard it: the soft sound of a harp playing. Beautiful, haunting music. Where was it coming from? She tiptoed down the hall and heard it coming from Callia’s room, but saw no lights. She slowly opened the door.
“You hear it, too?” Callia said, wide awake in her bed, with her knees drawn to her chest. Pauline sat next to her.
Nikki turned on the lights. The music abruptly stopped.
“You heard it,” Callia said. “Please tell me you heard it.”
“Yes, I heard something.”
“So I’m not crazy.”
“I told you you’re not,” Nikki said, searching the room for where the sound could have come from.
Callia held her knees tighter. “It was her favorite tune.”
“I’m sure it’s just a recording someone was listening to and it drifted through the vents.”
Callia shook her head. “Everyone’s asleep and no one listens to that kind of music here.”
After looking around, Nikki gave up her search and sat on the bed. “Well, it’s gone now.”
Callia studied her for a moment, then began to smile. “Your hair’s wet. Did you go swimming with Uncle Lucian?”
That and more. “Yes.”
“So he’ll let you stay longer?”
“A few more days and you’ll get to see the room, and then we’ll see what he says.”
“It looks like a big project.”
“It is.”
Callia slipped under the covers. “I hope he’ll like it.”
Nikki turned out the lights. “Me too.”
Chapter 14
“Don’t be nervous,” Dante said as he stood beside Nikki in front of the closed door.
Basilio, Callia and Kay waited with them. Lucian hadn’t arrived yet.
“I’m not nervous,” she said.
He glanced at her clenched fists.
She noticed his look and relaxed her hands. “Okay, maybe a little nervous.”
“You have nothing to worry about. You’ve done an outstanding job.”
“With your help.” She hadn’t seen Lucian all day. He’d had to travel for business. She hadn’t seen him since their late-night beach escapade. This wasn’t how she wanted to see him again.
Basilio frowned, suspicious. “What are you two whispering about?”
Dante shot him a look but remained silent.
Nikki took Basilio’s arm, wanting to ease the tension she felt between the two men. “We’re trying to imagine Lucian’s reaction.”
Basilio glanced at his watch. “And where’s Lucian, anyway?”
“I’m right here.”
Nikki fought to keep her composure, not sure which Lucian she would see. He would always be the man she loved, but would he pretend that the night on the beach never happened? Would she just be another employee again? She didn’t expect a public display of his affection, but would he offer her even a crumb of acknowledgment that she meant more to him? Did she mean anything to him?
His eyes caught and held hers. “Don’t look so nervous.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling her,” Dante said.
“You should listen to him.” Lucian gave her a soft smile and she felt herself relax under the warm glow of his gaze.
“Dante, show them in,” she said.
Dante made a sweeping gesture. “Prepa
re to be amazed.”
“What is this?” Basilio said with a smirk. “The circus?”
Callia sent him a cutting glance. “If this were the circus, you’d be the dancing monkey.”
“Mind your manners,” Kay said.
“She doesn’t have any to mind,” Basilio said.
“Quiet, children,” Lucian said. “Continue, Dante.”
Dante opened the door and revealed a room that left all of them speechless. From left to right, there were no longer walls, but what seemed like sheets of sculptured glass. A series of floor-to-ceiling Japanese screen doors had been constructed and put together, creating what looked like a continuous wall, but each one could be independently opened or shut, allowing in only as much scenery as one desired. Soft, muted colors of the sea were intertwined with splashes of bold colors, including several handblown emerald-green standing lamps, bright red and yellow retrograde artist-like chairs, and two sumptuous, oversize, soft black leather sofas.
There was no artwork on the walls. Instead one of the wall panels turned out to be a water fountain, while another was an aquarium—sporting a wonderful collection of brightly colored rare specimens. No detail had been spared. Just as she had done with J.D. and Monica’s house, Nikki had included a series of retractable skylights, which allowed for an array of exotic plants to be strategically placed throughout. The final touch had been added by the theatrical lighting expert Nikki had hired, a man who had been a pain to work with, but whose results were worth all the effort. A series of small- and medium-size spotlights was strategically placed to create whatever kind of ambience or atmosphere a person desired.
“You’re a genius,” Basilio said, stepping inside and slowly turning to see everything.
“It’s wonderful,” Callia said. “The way the light comes through is so amazing.”
Kay stared, speechless.
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Dante said. “Don’t you think, Lucian?”
Lucian stood and tapped the head of his cane, saying nothing. His expression unreadable.
Nikki folded her arms, her anxiety rising again. Was it too much of a change? “If there’s anything you want altered—”
Lucian lowered his head. “Leave us.”
“Come on, Lucian. You have to admit that this is amazing,” Basilio said.
“Uncle, please,” Callia added.
Lucian raised his head, his tone a command. “I said leave us.” He shook his head. “Not a word, Dante.”
Dante sighed and closed his mouth and reluctantly followed everyone out the door.
Once they were gone, Lucian said, “Come here.”
Nikki walked over to him. “Yes?”
His eyes studied her in amazement. “I’m still trying to figure out if you’re a goddess or a sorceress.” He reached out and pulled her to him, his mouth covering hers with a wild passion. “I’ve been wanting to do that for days.”
“And I’ve been wanting you to. I have been thinking of you since you left. I thought—”
“That I’d forget you? I could never forget you,” he said with feeling. He looked around, amazed. “How did you do it?”
Nikki laughed, her heart feeling as if it could burst. “That’s my secret.”
“I want you to redesign every room in this house.”
“That’s a lot of rooms.”
“I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I know, but I still have business back in New York. I only planned on being away three months, tops.”
“Done. Do whatever you want in that time.” He snapped his fingers. “I know. Redo all the rooms on this floor, and once you’re done, I’ll host a big party in your honor.”
“A party for me?”
“Yes. That will give me a chance to surprise you.”
“I’ll do it.”
They heard a tiny yelp of joy behind the door.
“Do you think they’re listening in?” Nikki said, lowering her voice.
“I know they are. Only Dante will pretend he’s not.”
“Do you think they know about us?”
“If they don’t, they will.” Lucian opened the door and saw Callia playing with Pauline, while Kay looked at Basilio straightening his shirt and Dante pretended to be on the phone. Lucian walked over to him and took the phone. “It’s upside down.”
“I knew that,” Dante said, taking it back.
“Right,” Lucian said, repressing a smile. “I doubt this will be news to you. But Nikki is staying for a few more months to design the other rooms on this floor.”
“Can she do mine, too?” Callia asked.
Lucian looked at her and Nikki nodded. “Yes.”
“And what about the party?” Callia said. “Can I come too?”
Lucian looked blank. “What party?”
“I thought you said you’d host a party—” She stopped, realizing her mistake.
Basilio shook his head. “You goof.”
“That’s okay,” Lucian said. “Yes, you can come.”
“This is great!” Callia said. “We haven’t had a party here since…for a long time.”
“I’ll make sure everything’s in order,” Dante said.
“I can always trust you.” Lucian tapped his cane. “I feel like going somewhere.”
Nikki looked at him in dismay. “But you just came back.”
“You want to go to the beach?” Callia said.
“The yacht,” Basilio guessed.
Lucian shook his head. “No. Turkey.” He turned to Nikki. “Go pack.” He looked at Callia’s eager face and smiled. “Yes, and you, too.”
“And Dante?” Callia said, hopeful.
“I have to stay and look after the house,” Dante said.
“We have guards for that.” Callia turned to Lucian. “Uncle, please convince him to come. He used to before.”
“But now you have Basilio,” Dante said.
“Together we’ll have lots of fun,” Basilio said with a smile.
It clearly wasn’t the replacement she wanted, but Callia left without arguing. Basilio and Kay followed.
“You should come and relax,” Nikki said, looking at Dante. “You worked as hard as I did.”
“Thanks, but no.”
Nikki shrugged, then went to her room to pack.
Dante watched her go, then said in low tones, “Do you think it’s wise to keep her here?”
“I don’t care about being wise,” Lucian replied. “I want her here.”
“So do I, but—”
“I’ll keep her safe. Everything’s in place. Nothing will happen. I have my eyes on my enemy.”
“But your weakness is evident, too.”
“Nikki isn’t my weakness.” Lucian lifted his cane and shook it. “She makes me feel strong. She makes life sweeter and no one will steal that away from me again.”
And for the next couple of weeks Lucian took Nikki on a wild adventure. Although Nikki had worked for many wealthy, powerful men over the years, she had never been the object of their desire. Gratitude, yes. Lust, no. And Lucian showed her how much she had missed. While Basilio, Callia and Kay had their own scheduled holiday, Lucian made his own arrangements for the two of them. But while Nikki thought she and Lucian would be alone, she was grossly mistaken. Wherever they went, a small entourage of assistants appeared out of nowhere, providing them with every element of luxury they needed. Fortunately, they disappeared just as quickly, giving the two of them ample time alone.
He flew them to Kusadasi, Turkey—where they continued their romantic interlude and visited several of the Greek islands. On the island of Crete, in a small village called Chania, Nikki indulged her fantasy and met with a famous local architect—who spent most of the morning discussing the history of the charming Venetian streets and the old Venetian harbor, which featured a sixteenth-century Venetian lighthouse. She didn’t know how he arranged it, but that night, Lucian made arrangements for the two of them to enjoy a private outdoor dining exper
ience on the grounds of the lighthouse. And prior to their meeting Nikki found a beautiful shimmering gown, a pair of shoes, and an expensive set of jewelry in her room, just in time for the occasion. When Lucian saw her that night, not only did they dine well, but just as he had done in the water off of his island, he indulged in his favorite pastime of undressing her layer by layer, and they made love in their hotel room until early morning.
In the city of Rethymnon, they enjoyed exploring the old quarter, because it was one of the best places to see Venetian and Turkish influences. Nikki especially loved the time she spent visiting some of the local markets and collecting a large number of handmade leather goods and pottery. Before long, she grew used to the help, which always appeared when she needed it. They packed the items she had collected and had them shipped back to the mansion.
On yet another night, Lucian treated Nikki to a horse-drawn carriage ride, which ended with a picnic on the beach—in an enormous tent, with all the accoutrements of wealth, including fine china and upholstered chairs. Even a chandelier was erected so that they were comfortable. Following a sumptuous dinner, the waitstaff disappeared, while the two of them lost themselves in each other’s arms.
One of the last trips Lucian took her on was a tour of Istanbul by night. They flew there directly, where he had a reservation for them at one of the most exclusive international clubs in the area. There they were treated to a four-course dinner, followed by a night of belly dancers and a fleet of talented local musicians.
“Tomorrow we are going to visit my favorite place, before we have to return home,” Lucian said. Nikki wasn’t sure there were any places left that they hadn’t been. But the next morning they traveled by private yacht to Santorini—a volcanic island. Upon arrival, they were met by a very cheerful individual who had a pair of scooters waiting for them. After donning their traveling gear—riding helmet and gloves—the two took off exploring the hills and the valleys and taking in the exquisite views they came upon. In one of the small towns, Lucian had arranged for a very special treat: to have Nikki’s portrait done by a local watercolorist. Not only was he quick—it took less than an hour—but with a little prodding from her, he agreed to do a quick study of the two of them.
“Make her look like the goddess Artemis,” Lucian instructed.
