Bound By Her Ring

by Nicole Flockton

  Showtime.

  “Well, I think it’s time we got the official part of the evening started.” Luciano gestured to the podium. “Shall we?”

  “Again, this doesn’t concern you, Morelli.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Thomas. This concerns me a great deal. Introductions are about to be made, you might find them rather interesting.”

  “Without further ado I’d like to introduce the two people responsible for this stunning new hotel. Mr Thomas Anderson of Anderson Hotels and Mr Luciano Morelli of Morelli Corporation’s latest acquisition, Regent Hotels.”

  A spotlight fell on Luciano and Thomas. “So shall we officially open this hotel?”

  Luciano turned and faced Jasmine, taking her hand and raising it to his lips for a soft kiss. “We’ll continue this later.”

  With that he headed towards the raised dais, oblivious to Jasmine’s reaction, and not bothering to see if Thomas followed. Climbing the steps, he shook Peter’s hand and made his way to the microphone. He looked out, searching the crowd, intent on finding one face. It didn’t take long before he found who he was looking for.

  He could see Jasmine’s blue eyes cloudy with confusion, but clearing slowly, falling into him, as he started to speak.

  “Thanks Peter. It’s a pleasure to be back in Perth and to be involved in this wonderful hotel. The Palazzo Regent is going to be the crown in the jewel for Regent Hotels.” He waited for the applause to die down, his gaze firmly connected with Jasmine’s.

  “Thank you for making me feel so welcome again and now I’ll let Thomas say a few words.” He handed control of the microphone to Thomas who officially declared the hotel open.

  Amidst the loud applause Thomas spoke with deadly intent. “I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing but it stops right now. Let’s talk.”

  “No, we’ll talk when I’m ready to talk,” declared Luciano.

  Not waiting for a response, Luciano descended the stairs and headed out into the crowd.

  Time to commence phase two.

  Jasmine’s heart skipped a beat as Luciano strode through the crowd. He moved with unmistakable grace and elegance. Power and purpose exuded from every muscle in his body, like a lion stalking a gazelle and in this instance she was the gazelle. Never had she seen such fire in someone’s eyes and that fire was directed straight at her as his hot gaze ensnared hers.

  She needed to move, to get away, but her feet wouldn’t budge. She didn’t know why she felt so drawn to him, why she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. She had wanted to wade through the crowd and climb the steps to stand by him when he’d given his speech mere minutes ago.

  “Finally, I’ve caught you.”

  The meaning of his words wasn’t lost on her. Since she first encountered him they had been leading up to this moment.

  “So now I know who you are—Luciano Morelli of Morelli Corporation, also my father’s new business partner. Why that should be of relevance to me, I don’t know?” she said primly.

  Throwing his head back, Luciano laughed. “Come on, Jasmine, your father isn’t around, you don’t have to keep me at arm’s length. He knows about us, always has. Let’s dance.”

  She had no chance to refuse as he swept her along through the crowd. His strong arm around her waist caused fine sensations to travel up and down her spine.

  The band had just started to play after the formal proceedings. She and Luciano were amongst a handful of guests on the dance floor. His hold was anything but formal. His right hand just inches from her bottom, warming the flesh beneath her dress. He held her right hand in his left, close to his chest. Beneath her hand she could feel the steady beating of his heart. So calm.

  It felt right to be held in his arms, warm and secure, as if she had come home. She wanted to relax into his hold. Rest her head against his chest and let herself be swept away.

  She tried to fight the feeling by holding herself stiff. Luciano Morelli was arrogant and over bearing, everything she disliked in a man. She’d suffer through one dance. But the fingers trailing slowly up and down her back were hard to resist. His breath whispered across her shoulders causing gooseflesh to break out over her skin. His touch was drugging. His very nearness wove a spell around her.

  It was impossible to fight it any longer. Closing her eyes, she gave in and lost herself in his embrace.

  So lost in the moment she didn’t feel Luciano momentarily lose his step or tighten his hold. Their bodies flowed as one, he led—she followed. She didn’t want the dance to end. For the first time since waking all alone in that sterile hospital room, with a nurse asking how to get in touch with her husband, contentment sang through her veins.

  A cool draft of air drifting across her arms jolted her from her stupor. Lifting her head she gazed around, trying to get her bearings. While she had been enjoying being held, Luciano had danced them outside.

  She stumbled as he thrust her from his embrace. “Alright, out with it Jasmine.”

  “What do you mean?” She mentally shook herself, trying to focus on the here and now and not the past.

  “I mean, there’s no need to continue with this farcical charade.”

  She could feel the anger radiating from him, hitting her in waves. “What charade?”

  “The whole not knowing me. I went along with it while your father was nearby but it’s just us now. You and me, Jasmine, no one else.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

  “I refuse to become involved in this absurd game you and your father are playing. I’m warning you, it wouldn’t be wise to make an enemy of me.”

  Enough. She refused to be threatened by this oaf of a man.

  “Do you know what’s absurd,” fumed Jasmine. “This whole conversation, it doesn’t make sense and I don’t have to stay here and be insulted by someone I don’t even know.”

  “But you do know me, Jasmine, we have a past together.”

  “Well I don’t remember it. I had an accident and now I have amnesia.”

  A look flashed across his eyes, but it was so swift she couldn’t make out what it meant.

  “Amnesia? How convenient.” His smug attitude riled her even more. So many people thought she was faking her memory loss. How do you forget your own husband? they’d ask. She’d had enough, she wasn’t going to let this man intimidate her.

  “Oh, keep your sarcasm to yourself. I’ve had enough of your attitude. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to the party.” She made a move to head back into the ballroom.

  Quick as lightning an arm reached out and took hold of her. “I’m not finished with this conversation.”

  Jasmine attempted to pull herself out of his grasp. “Well I am, so let me go.”

  “No, you’re not going anywhere.” Tightening his hold, he lowered his head towards her.

  He stopped, his mouth a hairbreadth away as he whispered, “You say you’ve lost your memory? I’ll make you remember.”

  She could do nothing as he closed the distance and his lips captured hers. She was expecting an onslaught instead she received a slow, tortuous journey. He sipped at her lips, encouraging her to open for him. It felt so right to give in. It felt so right to be held. It felt so right to want this man. With a moan she opened her mouth beneath his. He deepened the kiss, their tongues doing a slow dance of remembrance, learning about each other again. How he tasted. How he felt. How he made love.

  Jasmine tried to grasp the fleeting thought, but like a bubble, it burst and disappeared in a flash. The memory was elusive, but enough to break the spell. She pushed hard on his chest. Her hand rose and he caught it just before it connected with his cheek.

  “Not a wise move, cara mia.”

  Jasmine’s anger was palpable now. “How dare you. You have no right to kiss me.”

  Laughing harshly he looked down at her hand, his fingers brushing over the rings adorning it. “That’s where you’re wrong. I have every right.”

  Something i
n his tone made her apprehensive. “Wh-What do you mean?” she stammered, her fingers tingling as he stroked the rings reverently.

  “You see these rings, carissima?” He raised her hand to her eye level. “I put them there.”

  Her stomach lurched and her heart pounded loudly in her mind. “No, no. It can’t be.”

  “Yes Jasmine, it can be. I chose them for you. I placed them on your finger. You’re mine Jasmine. Mine.”

  Chapter 2

  Jasmine wrenched her hand from Luciano’s grip, his words reverberating around her mind.

  You’re mine.

  What did he mean by those words? What did he want from her? Could she even trust what he’d just said?

  The questions tumbled around her mind as she tried to control the tremble still coursing through her body.

  “I don’t believe you. Tonight is the first time I’ve ever laid eyes on you.”

  “You’re mine, Jasmine.” He repeated arrogantly.

  “Why should I believe anything you have to say?” She turned on shaky legs and stumbled towards the balcony, gripping the railing as if it were an anchor giving her purchase in rocky seas.

  How could she have been attracted to this man? What had she been thinking? He was everything she hated in a man. Arrogant, overbearing—sexy. She pushed that thought away. She wasn’t going there.

  “No,” shaking her head in denial. “Not possible.”

  “I’ve asked you before and I’ll ask you again. Why are you persisting with this charade?”

  She faced him, clenching her fists against the anger and confusion flowing through her. “And I’ve answered you. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Your response when I danced with you and when I kissed you contradict your denial. You do know me Jasmine. Your body knows me.”

  Unbelievable, she thought. Yes, she kissed him back and yes when they danced their bodies seemed in tune with each other. She even realised as much when they danced. But she would be damned if she was going to admit that to him. She didn’t even want to admit it to herself.

  “Look, I have no time for your stupid little mind games. I’m returning to the party.”

  She turned and once again headed towards the door that would lead her back to the ballroom. A chillingly quiet voice halted her progress.

  “Don’t cross me Jasmine. It could get very ugly if you do.”

  She turned to face him with her hands on her hips, incensed again at his demanding attitude. “You’re resorting to threats now?”

  “I don’t issue threats. I’m merely giving you some friendly advice. Besides,” he continued, as he reached and ran a fingertip down her arm, “we’ve barely started discussing our future together, so if you think I’m going to let you walk through that door then you are very much mistaken.”

  Jasmine groaned silently in frustration and desire, her skin tingled from his touch. So many fractured thoughts buzzed like a speeding train through her mind. What she really needed was time, time to assimilate all the scattered thoughts. Deal with the declaration Luciano had made earlier.

  He was her husband.

  The one man she had vowed to spend the rest of her life with. A man she had no recollection of, yet claimed they had a future to plan. It was clear he wasn’t prepared to let her leave until the plans had been discussed, and agreed to his satisfaction. Any opinions she had on the subject would be ignored.

  “I will not stand here and be dictated to by you. I’ve just met you. You have no say in what I do anymore than the next man or even my…my father.”

  A harsh laugh followed her comment. “If you don’t think your father controls you, then you’re living in a fool’s paradise. He has controlled you since the day you were born.”

  “You’re incredible. How can you stand there and make that sort of comment. You don’t know anything of the sort.”

  She paused, the strangest feeling sweeping over her. Had she said exactly the same words on a previous occasion? She tried to catch the elusive thought but it disappeared as quickly as a flash of lightning before she could fully concentrate on it. That’s twice in the last half hour that something similar had happened. A glimpse of something that might unlock her lost memories.

  She watched as Luciano’s eyes narrowed in recognition as if he too was remembering that previous occasion. Oh how she wanted to ask him. After all this time and in the most unlikely of place he showed up and turned her world upside down with just a few softly spoken words. Could she ask him? He spoke before she could form the question. His words answering her unasked question.

  “That’s where you’re wrong; I’m in the best position. As your husband and an outside observer I see things you fail to see. Even though you attempted to stand your ground earlier, if Peter hadn’t taken the stage, you would’ve caved into his demands. Even though you may try and deny it, your father still rules your every move. Always has and always will.”

  Jasmine couldn’t believe the gall of the man. More to the point she didn’t want to acknowledge what he said was true. She had surprised herself when she told both her father and Luciano off. She had seen the look in her father’s eye. She’d seen it on many occasions as she’d grown up. She’d waited for his angry outburst, grateful when he didn’t have the chance. However true Luciano’s words were, the issue was for her to deal with, not him.

  “I’m tired of this conversation.”

  “Why? Because it’s the truth? Until you take charge of your life you will always concede to your father’s wishes.”

  Why couldn’t he leave the subject alone? He always did this. Always made her look at things when she was too afraid to do it herself. He gave her strength but he also gave her grief. She was being pulled under his intoxicating spell. Again.

  “Look we’re talking in circles, It’s getting us no where Lukas. I’m tired and my head is starting to ache.” She closed her eyes as her hand rose involuntarily to touch the scar above her eyebrow.

  “What did you just call me?”

  Jasmine opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion. “Call you? I called you Lukas. That’s your…”

  A gasp escaped her as she recognised the significance of what she’d just called him. What she’d been thinking before she’d spoken. Remembering past conversations. Remembering his personality traits. Remembering little things when she never had before.

  Lukas. She’d called him Lukas. She’d remembered a name.

  “That’s right Jasmine,” he replied softly. “Why did you call me Lukas?”

  She looked at him searching her mind for her previous thoughts, but it was blank again. Feelings of helplessness descended upon her. She swallowed the sob that was threatening to rise up.

  Earlier today she thought her life was starting to get on track. She’d accepted the fact a portion of her life would always be forgotten. But now, after just one chance encounter, she was back where she’d been just after the accident. When she’d woken in the hospital room and discovered a gaping hole resided in her mind.

  “Please,” pain laced her voice and lashed her brain; her eyes pleading with Luciano to heed her wish, “let me go now. I can’t take anymore tonight.”

  Silence descended for a few seconds, but it felt like forever before he answered.

  “You can go, Jasmine.” The dark depth of his eyes glinted dangerously as he continued. “This is only the beginning. Trust me next time we meet I won’t be so accommodating.”

  He lowered his gaze releasing her from the magic charm he held her under. But the tension in his body showed he wasn’t quite prepared to let her go.

  “I’ve waited the last few weeks to see you. I can wait another day.”

  Even though they were spoken in the least threatening manner, his words caused a shiver of apprehension to run down her spine as she walked back into the ballroom. An invisible thread ran between them and she could feel the slight tug of it. She turned and gave him one last look. He was where she’d left him, his expres
sion brooding as he watched her. She almost expected him to come back and claim her but he turned his back and faced the inky black night.

  After the quiet stillness of the balcony, the continuing festivities seemed unnatural to her. She stood for a moment to regain her composure.

  So many things didn’t make any sense to her.

  The scene she’d witnessed earlier in the evening between her father and Luciano. The animosity between the two of them was rife.

  Then her encounter with Luciano on the balcony. The declaration he was her husband.

  Husband.

  After all this time he turns up. Could she trust what he said?

  God, she wished she could just start this day over. She felt like she’d just stepped onto a rollercoaster and her life was barrelling out of control.

  It was clear to her they all shared a history. A history she knew nothing about. Something filtered through her mind. A simple comment by Luciano but one she hadn’t taken much notice of when he’d said it.

  Your father knows about us, always has.

  According to Luciano, her father knew who she’d had a relationship with prior to her accident. Why hadn’t he answered her questions when she asked them? Why had he denied knowing anything? Why not help her piece things together? She needed to find him now and demand an explanation.

  She looked around the room and spied her father striding out the door on the opposite side of the room to her. Any hope of talking to him tonight was shot down in flames with the door closing behind him.

  Damn.

  The brightness and noise of the room became too much for her to bear. Needle points of pain resumed their stabbing. If she didn’t take her medication soon, she would be laid up for the next few days.

  She made her way through the crowd and headed toward the cloak room to retrieve her evening bag. She smiled as the clerk handed it over along with her wrap. Checking the contents for her room key, she made her way towards the bank of elevators. The doors glided open and she entered, grateful it was empty. Pressing her floor number she leaned against the glass back, her eyes drifting shut in exhaustion as she heard the soft swish of the doors closing. The sound of something connecting with the doors caused them to fly open. A hand halted the doors closing progress. She looked up and locked eyes with Luciano.