Rick glanced away. Without realizing it, she had just summarized his life. “Or maybe,” he said, “he never again met anyone that special.”
“Maybe,” she said. “I’d like to think my parents shared the kind of love that comes along once in a lifetime.”
“I’m sure they did,” he said.
Her eyes, misty with emotion, narrowed. “I know what you think about me, Rick. The spoiled woman motivated by greed. I know you think I have no right to this company. But you have no idea how important this business was to my dad. It was more than a job, much more. He and my mother started it together and he felt that this company was still an extension of her somehow. That he was fulfilling her dream. Their life together.”
“Lessa,” he began. But what could he say? She was right. He did think that she was a spoiled girl with a keen sense of entitlement. And although she was turning out to be more complicated than he had thought, he could not-no, he would not-allow emotion to cloud his judgment.
But before he could say anything, she spoke. “Sabrina’s behind you.”
He put his arm around Lessa and slipped his hand under her shirt, caressing her bare shoulder. “Act as though I just said something very sweet,” he whispered.
She smiled at him, but it was obvious that his touch made her uncomfortable. Apparently their conversation had done little to change her feelings toward him. If she wasn’t careful, Sabrina would be on to them.
He felt a presence behind him and heard Sabrina say, “Well, what do you think of my dining room? It truly is romantic, isn’t it?” She walked around the table and took a seat across from him.
“Did you bring the contract?” he asked.
She shook her head. “My adviser is looking it over. He should have it to me momentarily. So you might as well enjoy your dinner,” she said, signaling a waiter.
Lessa ordered a steak and a side of rice.
“I’ll have the same,” Rick said. He appreciated a woman who was willing and able to eat.
“How compatible,” Sabrina said. “You even order the same food.” But it was obvious from the tone in her voice, she thought them anything but. They were going to have to lay it on thick to convince her.
“So do you two live together?”
“I live with my aunt,” Lessa said.
“Your aunt? How sweet. And what does she think of your romance with Rick?”
“She’s pleased with…our relationship,” Lessa said, hesitating.
“Really? After what Rick did to your father?”
He could feel Lessa stiffen.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “Rick didn’t have anything to do with my father leaving the company.”
Unfortunately, it was obvious her defense of him was an act. He could practically see the strain on her face.
“Besides, my aunt wants me to be happy,” she said with some effort. “She knows that I didn’t plan this. But she respects my decision.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Sabrina said, studying Lessa carefully. Sabrina was suspicious and things were getting worse by the minute. He needed to get Lessa away from her. Just then the band began to play.
“Darling,” he said, standing and offering Lessa his hand, “it’s our song.” He turned back toward Sabrina. “Will you excuse us?”
“Of course,” she said with a smug smile.
He led Lessa to the dance floor. He pulled her in close as he whispered in her ear, “I think I need to kiss you again.”
If Sabrina wanted a show, she was going to get it. He brushed a gentle kiss across Lessa’s porcelain cheek. She turned toward him and their lips touched. A sensuous tremor passed between them as he pulled her tight against him. Momentarily forgetting about his mission, he kissed her long and hard, as if she were a true lover. Suddenly, Lessa broke away. Her breasts heaved as she struggled to breathe. She glanced at Rick and he knew from the look in her eyes that they were in trouble.
“Lessa,” he said, leaning forward and touching the back of his hand to her cheek. “Are you all right?”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Before he could stop her, she turned and hurried toward the door.
Damn her! What was she doing? He went after her, following her outside the restaurant. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I can’t do this,” she said, shrugging off his arm. The look on her face gave him pause. She didn’t look like a woman in control of her feelings and actions. She was shaking and appeared to be on the verge of tears.
He hesitated and, without touching her, nodded toward the beach. “Let’s get away from the restaurant.” He had no doubt Sabrina was bending over backward to get a peek of the action. “Let me guess,” he said as they walked toward the beach. “There’s a boyfriend back home and you’re feeling guilty.”
“No. There’s no boyfriend.”
He felt a small gleam of relief. But why should he care if she was seeing someone?
“I’m just…unsure of the ground rules.”
“The ground rules?” What the hell was she talking about? Did she interpret his touch as true longing?
But if she did, would she be wrong? After all, there was an undercurrent of…something. “Look, Lessa,” he said, “this isn’t one of your tennis matches. There are no rules or regulations. When Sabrina’s around, I touch you, you touch me. That’s all.”
He saw her wince as if in pain. Was the mere idea of touching him so repulsive to her?
“Just pretend I’m…someone else. Someone you care about. Someone you saw in a movie once, hell, I don’t care. Forget about my face and just respond to my actions. That’s all.”
“I’m trying, but it’s difficult.”
“Dammit,” he said, getting even more frustrated. “Let me make this clear. I’m not enjoying myself either. But this is business. You almost cost me my company and you better try damn hard to get it back.”
She did not speak. She looked at him with all the fear and loathing to which he had become accustomed. But for some reason, it wasn’t okay anymore. He felt like a bully.
He should’ve realized that this was too much to ask of her. After all, she hated him. How could he think that she was capable of pretending otherwise? “I should’ve known that you couldn’t do this.” He turned away, heading back toward the restaurant. “Go back to the room and wait for me. I’ll handle Sabrina.”
Rick’s words hit Lessa like a splash of ice water. Couldn’t do this? Was she really ready to forfeit simply because she didn’t like the way the game was being played? Because that was what their whole fake love affair boiled down to-a strategy. The problem was, she couldn’t help but wish it were real. With a kiss and some kind emotional words, Rick slashed through the paper-thin barrier surrounding her heart. The promise of love was enough to make her question even the most fundamental of views. But she had to get over it.
She hurried after Rick and took his hand, stopping him. Then, gazing into his eyes, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. She moved her mouth over his, allowing her instincts to take over. She kissed him long and slow, as if he were the man of her dreams and this was the chance of a lifetime. When she was done, she pulled away and said, “Better?”
He was breathing hard and his eyes smoldered with fire. “I’d say.”
She smiled, pleased at his reaction. “I can do this. Let’s go.”