‘Of course.’
She sent him a cautious smile and left the room, quickly moving to change her clothes. Why had he frozen up when she’d referenced his family? It was unlike him to reveal so much; usually he teased to deflect a conversation. A million more questions followed—where did that slight exotic edge to his accent come from? Why was he so driven when he’d had so much success so young? He fascinated her and she wanted to know everything about him.
But at dinner she found that goal impossible to reach. The guests chatted animatedly about topical issues but no one pressed her for any detail about her relationship with Alejandro, no one asked how they’d met or when they’d become engaged. Which was polite. But no one asked him anything intrusive or illuminating either, which was disappointing. They sought his opinion on something to do with work, or debated politics and current affairs. It was all intelligent and interesting, but the only other thing she learned about him was that he was well read, had encyclopaedic general knowledge and would be an extremely useful addition on a pub quiz team.
And as the evening progressed she realised he didn’t actually talk that much at all. He smiled and gave a thoughtful insight into something that was business-related or added an occasional witty comment, but, for the most part, his contributions were limited. He seemed happy just to be at the centre of the noise and chatter. Her curiosity deepened.
But she knew she wasn’t the only curious one at the table. The woman sitting opposite her had been avidly watching Alejandro, conversing with him loudly, unsubtle in trying to get his attention. Now she turned to Kitty—her curiosity unveiled as she raked her gaze over her, her eyes narrowing on Kitty’s hand.
‘Still no ring?’ The woman’s smile gleamed as she leaned across and spoke in an undertone. ‘There’s a smidge of hope for the rest of us then.’
The last thing Kitty wanted was to compete for Alejandro—not in any way.
‘You’re welcome to have him,’ she replied directly, but with a smile. ‘I keep trying to shake him off, but he’s persistent.’
There was a moment of stunned silence around the table. Kitty swallowed; she hadn’t realised she’d spoken that loudly.
‘After Catriona’s hurt over her previous engagement, she’s decided an engagement ring is bad luck,’ Alejandro said with urbane ease. ‘I have agreed to surprise her on our wedding day when our vows are taken.’ He placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. ‘She finds it difficult to trust, but I’m working on it.’
Kitty stared at him, unable to think of a thing to say to that. He met her eyes for a moment, and she saw the humour dancing in his, but there was something else too. Something she couldn’t define and couldn’t cope with. She turned and caught a stabbing glance at her from the other woman, but she was too floored by Alejandro to bother responding. Her body felt engulfed in flames. She was so embarrassed, but also somehow grateful. It was crazy. She was crazy. And so was he.
‘You’re a more outrageous liar than I am,’ she whispered in his ear in the most provocative way she could manage once normal conversation had resumed, determined to take control of this mad roller coaster ride again. ‘That was pretty good. But you know, I’ve changed my mind. I want a rock. Monstrous huge, please. The gaudiest thing you can drop a few hundred thousand on.’
She sat back and beamed at him.
He cupped her face and inexorably drew her close again so he could whisper in return, ‘It’s too late; the offer is rescinded. I like my story better about the bad luck engagement ring. It has an air of truth about it.’
He was so near she was lost in the depth of his black-brown eyes. Her heart raced. He was horrendously handsome. She scrambled to stay sane—to stay on top of what was just a game.
‘You’re heartless. Utterly heartless.’
He laughed delightedly; his warm breath stirred her hair. For a moment it was as if they were in their own bubble of amusement and heat.
‘I have no need for a heart,’ he muttered.
That hit like a cold wind. Could anyone really be that carefree? She pulled back, wary of the other diners watching them less than surreptitiously. With an effort she maintained her smile and reached for a glass of water.
‘Lead me along as far as you dare, Catriona,’ he added quietly so only she heard. ‘I’ll keep step. You won’t scare me off.’
‘I thought you were out to stop me from saying outrageous things.’
‘I’ve decided I like them. The only person they really cause trouble for is you.’
And wasn’t that the truth.
‘I am chastened,’ she admitted honestly. ‘That’s it—no more from me.’
He laughed, full bodied and sexy. ‘Never. You’re too impulsive for that vow to last long.’
The truth was she was trying as hard as she could to hold him off. Because this sparring—this foreplay—was fun. But once she’d given in to him—and to her own desire—it would be over. It was all in the thrill of the chase for him. He’d be off on the next hunt once he’d captured this prey. So, back at Parkes House, she didn’t let him climb the stairs with her.
‘No. No. No. No.’ She scampered ahead of him and held up her hands like a metaphorical wall. ‘You stay down there.’
He looked up at her, pausing with one foot on the first step. His mouth quirked. ‘Not even a kiss goodnight?’
‘No. Nothing. Not a thing.’
He leaned back against the railing and his smile broadened to positively smug. ‘Finding it so hard to resist you can’t even risk one kiss?’ Amusement danced in his eyes. ‘Not long now then.’
His arrogant laughter followed her. He was appalling.
And that was the thing, wasn’t it? This wasn’t ever going to be for long.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
‘I’M READY.’ KITTY looked up as Alejandro walked in from a frustrating day.
His mouth dried. She was sitting on the sofa in the library with her ankles demurely crossed, clad in another slinky black dress that clung to her curves and suggested total sensuality while keeping her too damn covered up.
Was she ready for him?
He’d let her get away without so much as a kiss yesterday but now he’d had enough. This was the longest amount of time he’d ever invested in a seduction and seeing her sitting there so coolly perfect was the last straw. Hadn’t she spent the day thinking of him? Wasn’t she being eaten from the inside out by coiling desire the way he was?
‘Alejandro?’ Her eyes widened as she watched him stalk towards her.
He didn’t reply as he pulled her up from the sofa and into his arms. This was what he needed. Her close in his arms, her mouth parting under his, her body softening.
He kissed her the way he’d been fantasising about all day. Long and deep and hungry. His arms tightened as he felt her lean into him. Desire raced as she kissed him back, her energy rising to meet his in a snap. Oh, yes. Ready. So ready.
He lifted his head to look into her eyes for the consent he so badly needed. But she pushed him back breathlessly.
‘Stop it,’ she panted. ‘You’re messing up my hair. It took hours to get it this smooth, you know.’
‘And it looks lovely.’ He reached for her again. He needed to do more than look—he needed to touch. Now. ‘Come back here.’
‘No—’ she stepped further away ‘—I didn’t do it for you.’
‘No?’ He smirked.
‘Of course not!’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s for all those wannabe lovers of yours. The troupe of women hanging on your every word. I have to show my cred to them.’
Alejandro paused, dropping his hand. That was ridiculous. She had nothing to prove. ‘They think you’re my fiancée.’
‘Like that matters to them!’ She faced him. ‘Or to you.’ She shook her head. ‘If one took your fancy, you’d be gone in a flash.’