by Maya Blake
The hysterical bubble nestling just beneath the surface of her emotions threatened to expand again.
Squashing it back down, she climbed into her sumptuous bed, picked up the bedside phone and punched the familiar number.
It was answered on the third ring. Taking a deep breath, Suki said, ‘Mum, I have something to tell you.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
AS POTENTIALLY LIFE-CHANGING phone calls went, her mother took the news that there could be hope health-wise for her with quiet but flat acceptance, although Suki suspected the secret fondness her mother held for Luis played a part in her accepting his offer.
Suki had deliberately left her return date vague, not wanting to overly distress her mother.
‘Did you speak to your mother?’
Ramon’s voice and question dragged her back to the present, to the immense dining room and the highly polished teak banquet table and high-backed chairs that could easily seat an entire state cabinet. Here too, soaring ceilings held magnificent arches and stained glass.
Before her an exquisite setting of multiple plates, glasses and silverware had been laid out for their meal, making her once again feel out of her depth.
Unbidden, Luis’s face rose up before her. He would’ve had a laughing fit at her expense by now. Struggling to contain her sadness, she nodded at Ramon.
He’d changed out of his suit into more casual clothes, his slicked-back hair still damp from a recent shower. Although his attire was still funeral black, the long-sleeved T-shirt, pulled up to exhibit brawny arms, gave him a slightly more approachable air. Although that air was put in serious jeopardy each time she looked into his stormy eyes.
‘Yes. I couldn’t really tell her too much because I don’t know all the details.’
‘I spoke with the specialists this afternoon. They will be in touch with her doctors tomorrow and arrange to fly her to Miami in the next three days.’
Surprise spiked through her. ‘That soon?’
‘I’m sure you’ll agree that the sooner things get moving, the better?’
He wasn’t just referring to her mother.
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Then you’ll be pleased to know I’ve made an appointment for us to visit a doctor in Havana tomorrow,’ he said calmly as he draped his napkin over his lap. ‘After that we’ll fly to Miami for the day.’
Suki paused in the act of picking up her spoon to taste the heavenly smelling beef and garbanzo bean soup Teresa had served them. ‘Why? My mother wouldn’t have arrived by then.’
‘Since we won’t be busy making a baby first thing in the morning, I scheduled a meeting for the morning, while you take the necessary time to replenish your wardrobe. Unless you intend to recycle the clothes in that weekender you brought for the next year?’
The fact that she’d pondered the same problem didn’t stop her lips from pursing. ‘I was going to sort something small here in Havana and organise some clothes when I returned to England.’
He put the fork in his hand down carefully, his jaw set. ‘You won’t be returning to England until you’re pregnant and since the child is to be born here, it makes sense for you to remain here. Besides, your mother will be in Miami—you can visit her any time you want.’
Suki wasn’t sure whether it was his complete certainty in his own virility or the high-handed way he’d taken over her life that stuck in her craw. ‘Do you intend to dictate every single second of my life from now on? Because if that’s the case you and I will have a big problem.’
‘Accept that I will be taking a huge part in making sure this pregnancy goes smoothly and we won’t have one.’
Her fingers tightened around the spoon. ‘I’m not even pregnant yet!’
‘You could be by now if you weren’t so touchy about having sex in broad daylight.’
She cursed her flaming face almost as much as she silently cursed him. ‘Oh, my God, you really think you’re a stud, don’t you?’
His shrug was pure male arrogance. ‘I got you pregnant the first time despite using contraceptives. I choose to believe we’ll be equally lucky in conception this time round.’
‘And if I don’t get pregnant immediately?’ she challenged.
His teeth bared in a smug smile. ‘That’s the great thing about sex. As long as we have the necessary functioning equipment, we can keep trying. Again and again. Now eat your soup before it goes cold.’
‘I think I’ve lost my appetite,’ she returned.
‘Eat it anyway. You need to regain your full health.’
Suki wasn’t sure whether to be thankful that he hadn’t added for the baby’s sake to his statement. She wasn’t even sure whether it was wise to borrow a little of his dogged assurance. And although her doctors had assured her that her baby’s condition wasn’t in any way genetic, she couldn’t dissipate the fear that continued to live in her heart.
With her mind churning anew, she didn’t notice she’d finished her soup until she looked up and saw Teresa’s beaming smile of approval.
Her gaze went from her empty bowl to Ramon’s cocked eyebrow. ‘Let’s hope you’ve lost your appetite for the main course too,’ he mocked.
Her eyes rolled before she could stop herself. His deep chuckle twanged, then lightened something in her midriff. Unwilling to examine what that something was, she sipped her water, nibbled on a piece of thick bread and searched for neutral conversation that didn’t involve sex or babies.
‘I thought you couldn’t fly into the States from Cuba?’
‘Until recently, no, you couldn’t. But things are beginning to change.
She caught a note in his voice, a blend of pride and anticipation.
‘I noticed a bit of regeneration going on in Havana. Is this change why you’re choosing to remain in Cuba?’
His expression darkened a touch but he answered her question with a nod. ‘Partly, sí.’
She didn’t need to ask what the other part was. The deep loss he felt was stamped in his expression. His way of somewhat assuaging that loss was why she was here.
Teresa walked in then with the main course of chicken stuffed with roasted peppers and coconut rice. Again they fell into silence and Suki polished off every mouthful on her plate.
They were waiting for dessert to be served when he reached into his pocket and placed an envelope in front of her. ‘I’ll be taking care of your mother’s medical bills, so this is yours to do with as you please.’
She picked it up and slid the folded flap open. At the sight of the cheque, she caught her breath. Then, sending a thankful prayer to her best friend, she nodded. ‘Okay.’
If he was curious as to what she intended to do with it, he didn’t show it. The charged atmosphere that lurked beneath the surface of their dealings kept conversation to a stiff minimum. Her questions about the doctor in Havana were answered.
The thought that she was of no further interest to Ramon save for her reproductive purpose attempted to cause a level of hurt she wasn’t comfortable with, so she ruthlessly pushed it to one side.
‘I know we didn’t discuss this fully, but I would prefer not to give up working altogether. Sitting around all day will drive me insane.’
She fully expected another disagreement, but to her surprise he pushed back his chair and rose.
‘I have a project you could work on, once everything else is taken care of.’
Her eyes widened, a tiny spurt of pleasure welling inside her. ‘You do?’
He nodded. ‘Come.’
Dropping her napkin on the table, she followed him out of the dining room. Her nap and his late arrival had put a spanner in the tour he’d promised earlier but she’d conducted a mini tour of her own when one of the staff members had led her down for dinner. Each room she’d glanced into had been more spectacular
than the last. So she was sure Ramon’s project didn’t involve the villa.
Until she walked into the room in the west wing. The difference was so jarring, so very wrong that her jaw dropped.
‘My God, who did this?’
‘Someone I had no business trusting,’ he replied.
The room, another salon but this one opening onto a terrace facing the sparkling pool and designed to catch the best of the evening sun, had been turned into a futuristic minimalist nightmare completely at odds with the rest of the villa. Everywhere she looked blinding white furniture clashed with chrome and chintz.
‘Why did you give them the project, then?’ she asked, unsure whether to shut her eyes against the garish design or cry for the indignity the room had suffered.
When he didn’t answer immediately, she looked away from the aluminium hanging fireplace to where he leaned against the lintel.
‘I went against my better judgement. I also, erroneously, gave them carte blanche. When I realised my mistake I called a halt to it. As you can see, everything came to an untimely standstill.’
She glanced at the far wall, noticing that it was only half done. ‘How did they take you firing them mid-project?’
His mouth twitched but it was with something other than humour. ‘I got them to see that our differences of opinion were deeply ingrained in fundamental issues and that it was best we parted ways immediately.’
She walked further into the room, mourning the plain walls where beautiful stained glass and intricate carvings should’ve been. ‘I can’t believe they did...this! Did you manage to save any of the original features?’
To her surprise, he nodded. ‘Teresa’s husband, Mario, is the caretaker. He had the wherewithal to ensure everything taken from here was kept intact. Are you interested in a restoration project?’
She gasped. ‘Of course! My last big job was a restoration on a country house in Sussex. It wasn’t as big as this or anywhere near as intricate but I’d love to sink my teeth into this, if you’re okay with that?’
‘I’m okay with that. Mario will show you where he stored the stone and other features. But this will happen only—’
‘When I’ve fulfilled my other duties. I know.’
His lids descended over his eyes for a minute before he walked further into the room. Stopping before her, he said, ‘The tour I promised will have to wait. I have a few more calls to make and we have an early start tomorrow. I want you rested.’
Despite the heat crawling up her neck, she returned his gaze. ‘You don’t need to keep doing that, Ramon.’
One eyebrow lifted. ‘Keep doing what?’
‘Reminding me that we’ll be...that I’ll be...’
‘Taking my seed into your body come tomorrow night?’ he finished helpfully, not an ounce of embarrassment in sight.
She reddened fiercer. ‘Oh, my God, who talks like that?’
He ignored the question, his fingers rising to trace her hot cheek. ‘You blush so readily, guapa. One could be fooled into thinking you’re one step removed from the very angels.’ The observation was flat, but tinged with a definite thread of censure.
And just like that the lighter mood was gone.
‘If anyone chooses to make assumptions about me, that’s their problem. I never claimed to be angelic. But I’m also not the heartless devil you think I am. I’m sorry that you see me that way.’
His fingers snaked past her jaw and beneath her loose hair to cup her nape. ‘Are you?’
Having seen the pain he was in, a part of her understood his emotions. ‘Yes, I am.’
‘That remains to be seen, I guess.’
Her heart quaked. Resolutely, she stepped away. ‘Don’t forget those calls you need to go and make.’
He stayed where he was, watching her for a further minute. ‘Buenas noches, Suki.’
She didn’t respond. The emotions surging into her throat wouldn’t let her. So she stood silently as he walked out of the room. Then, unable to stay in the starkly minimalist apology for a room, she walked out of the French doors onto the pillared terrace.
Down a short flight of stairs the under-lit swimming pool glinted invitingly. The night air cooled her on the outside but, inside, she was still reeling from Ramon’s words. By the events of the day.
Ramon had never answered her question about how long he’d known about the baby, but if he’d discussed it with Luis then he’d known for a few months. She shuddered to think how long he’d held on to his anger. How long he intended to hold her in such an unforgiving light. Until she gave him another child?
How could they even make love when there was such acrimony between them?
I don’t need to like you to take you to bed. And vice versa.
Recalling the words sent another shiver through her, along with the disarming acceptance that it was true. Although he’d apologised for his uncouth comments, he hadn’t exactly been bursting with poetry and roses that night ten months ago.
And she, regardless of his lack of warmth, hadn’t minded in the least. Her body had thrilled to his touch, had lapped up every particle of attention he’d generously delivered to her.
Her escalating heartbeat now mocked her with that remembered thrill. Mocked her with the fact that he only had to touch her for her senses to threaten to dive into free fall. The cold, hard truth was that making love with Ramon even for the clinical sake of conceiving a child wouldn’t be the most difficult thing she would ever do.
But the risk to her soul, the knowledge that this could all emotionally backfire spectacularly if she wasn’t careful, stayed with her long after she’d returned to her suite and slid beneath the sheets.
She was up and showered and in the dining room by eight the next morning, one of the maids having gently woken her a little after seven with the instruction that the señor wished to leave by nine. She chose to see it as a blessing that Ramon hadn’t hammered on her door himself with that command.
She had almost finished her breakfast when he walked in. Today, his attire was a little less severe, the dark grey suit and lighter grey shirt bringing out the vibrancy of his skin and eyes. Those eyes, however, were no less sombre when they raked over her simple off-white, off-the-shoulder sundress and the neat ponytail she’d tied her hair in.
‘Buenos días, cara. You look as well rested as I feel,’ he observed dryly.
Since she’d spent most of the night tossing and turning, she knew his statement was less than flattering. Her chest tightened. ‘I see you’re brimming with compliments this morning.’
‘Perhaps I’m feeling less than generous because our night could’ve been put to better use than counting sheep.’
She shrugged, experiencing a tiny burst of pride when it came off smoothly. ‘I didn’t count sheep. The spectacular wall carvings in my room were a much better visual distraction.’
He paused in the act of pouring steaming black coffee, a flash of something dark and carnal passing through his eyes. ‘I hope you enjoyed them because you won’t be inspecting them tonight,’ he promised, the raw intent in his eyes making her belly quiver.
Suki refrained from voicing another objection to the blatant reminder. Hadn’t she woken up this morning thinking exactly the same thing? And hadn’t that knowledge sent darts of secret anticipation straight between her thighs?
Carefully, she set down her half-finished cup of tea and stood. ‘I’m done. I’ll go and grab my bag and I’ll be ready to go.’
Without looking at her, he picked up the folded newspaper next to his plate and snapped it open. ‘Changing the subject won’t make the event disappear, cara.’
‘No, but discussing it ad nauseam will definitely make it tedious.’
He perused the inside of the first page. ‘Are you calling me boring, Suki?’ he murmured.
‘I’m calling you out on the fact that, for someone who is lauded for his intelligence, you seem to have developed a one-track mind.’
That got his attention. He looked up from the paper, ferocious green eyes lancing her. ‘I get that way when there’s something I’m passionate about,’ he replied in a low, ardently dangerous voice. ‘And on this subject, rest assured that I am extremely passionate.’
He returned to his paper, the silently dismissive gesture freeing her to leave the room. She did so swiftly, perhaps even admitting she was fleeing from contemplating what it would feel like to have Ramon be passionate about something other than sex. Be passionate about her.
No. Her stupid crush had died long before she’d been beset with the heartbreaking news of her unborn child’s illness. It had taken a giant knock when she’d woken up alone the morning after their night together. It’d died the day she’d discovered he’d lied to her about Svetlana.
That welcome reminder threw cold water on her rioting emotions, thankfully, as she freshened up and collected her bag.
He was on the phone when she returned. He got off long enough to attend the lawyers who’d once again been summoned, this time to witness her agreement with Ramon. For a startling second she wondered which other agreements Ramon had got them to draw up that they didn’t seem in any way surprised by hers, but then she pushed the useless thought away. Her situation was hers alone to deal with.
Ramon stopped long enough to lock the agreement in the safe in his study. Then, with the next few years of her life committed to the man who looked at her with a fair amount of dislike, she followed him out onto the helipad.
For most of the helicopter flight back to Havana, he made one call after another. For the sake of discretion, Ramon informed her, the trio of doctors were summoned to the Acosta suite at Ramon’s hotel. For a solid hour, she answered questions about her health, had her blood drawn and her pressure recorded.
She believed they were done when the doctor powered down his tablet, only to see Ramon taking his place in the chair she’d just vacated. Surprised, she watched him roll his sleeves up in preparation for his own vitals to be taken.
