Bound By Her Ring (7 page)

He sorted things out quickly and when he turned, with keys in hand, he ran straight into Jasmine. His arm brushed against her breasts, his body tightening against his will at the brief contact. He’d been unaware she’d followed him but he was very aware of the shiver that ran through her. He’d always been aware of each and every one of her nuances. Through the silk blouse she was wearing, he could clearly see her nipples had puckered from the brief contact with his arm.

“Sorry,” she muttered crossing her arms across her breasts.

“No harm done,” he said with a hint of a smile on his face. “Shall we go?”

Taking hold of her elbow, he steered her towards the car, ignoring her heat and subtle scent. He observed the security team that had arrived earlier. The quick flash of headlights telling Luciano all he needed to know. His plans had been actioned and they would keep a discreet distance between them. He settled Jasmine into the passenger seat, before striding around to the driver’s side.

They drove in silence. The folded arms and tight look on Jasmine’s face an indication conversation wasn’t in the forefront of her mind. Luciano pondered what she may be thinking about, but only for a moment. Her thoughts weren’t that important to him at the moment.

“I didn’t realise Cable Beach was so far from the airport.”

He spared her a quick glance before turning his attention back to the road. “What makes you think we’re going there?”

“Well, for one, we’re in Broome and secondly, Cable Beach is the major resort here. I’d assumed that’s where we would be staying.”

“Surely by now you would’ve realised to never assume anything with me, Jasmine.”

“Yes you’d think I would’ve learned that by now, but for some reason I keep assuming the wrong things.” Her voice softened as she said the next words to him. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand you or your penchant for the unexpectedness, Lukas.”

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as her words washed over him. The last time she’d said those words had been after he’d surprised her with their island wedding ceremony. Only that time she’d thrown her arms around him and kissed him senseless, only coming up for air to say she loved the idea of marrying him.

How quickly that had changed. Just a mere few days later she’d made the decision to take the child they had created away from him. It would take a lot for him to even consider forgiving her for that.

“Luciano,” he bit out. “My name is Luciano, not Lukas.”

Her gasp of surprise sounded genuine but he still had to wonder if she was telling the truth about her memory loss. She so easily dropped her use of his name into conversations.

“Why do I keep calling you that? Why?” she asked.

Could he tell her the real reason? That she and only her alone had ever called him by that name. “You always called me Lukas. From the moment we first met.”

“I’m surprised you let me. You don’t seem the type of person to let anyone mess with your name.”

“I had my reasons.”

He increased the volume on the stereo and opera music filled the car. He didn’t want to talk about his name anymore.

Jasmine knew there was something he wasn’t telling her.

Lukas.

It felt so natural to call him that. Luciano didn’t flow off her tongue like Lukas did.

Could she dare ask him if she could call him that now? Would he let her?

His tense jaw line and his iron grip on the steering wheel told her it wouldn’t be a good idea to push him on the subject.

Before long they were pulling up to a large homestead styled building. There seemed to be no one else around. She couldn’t make out any other buildings. Apprehension filled her, where were they?

“Let me assure you, you’re quite safe.”

How did he do that? How did he know exactly what she was thinking? Could he read her mind?

“What is this place?” she asked.

“Orchid Hill Retreat.”

“How long has it been opened? I’ve never heard of it before?”

“It’s an exclusive resort which opened two years ago. The clientele they cater to don’t want it known where they are holidaying. Word of mouth is very powerful for this resort. Come on, let’s go inside.”

Alighting from the car she took a moment to take in her surroundings. In the distance she could hear the sound of waves breaking. Birds were calling out loudly, as if in welcome. The building was colonial in style, complementing the bush that surrounded it. The setting was truly beautiful. Whoever had designed the resort had ensured the buildings fit in with the natural surroundings.

“Are you coming with me or are you going to stand around all day?”

She looked up and saw Lukas standing on the top step, impatience at her dawdling radiating off him. “I’m coming.”

She made her way up the small steps, catching up to where he stood. She reached out and laid a soft hand on his arm. “You should slow down; take some time to appreciate where we are and our surroundings.”

The muscles tensed under her hand, she didn’t know whether it was in annoyance with her touch or what she’d said. Her hand fell to her side as he shook it off.

“I’m a businessman not some fool taken in by romantic surroundings.”

He walked off into the depths of the homestead. She quickly caught up with him again.

“Is this the only building in the resort?”

“No this is just the main complex, it has a business center and a spa for the guests use. There are fifteen exclusive villas behind this building.”

Hope sparked through her, a villa could mean there was a chance there would be two bedrooms.

“Do the villas have two bedrooms?”

Laughter met her question, “Not a chance
cara mia
. The resort is designed exclusively as a retreat for adults, people who don’t want to be seen. It’s marketed toward the wealthy rather than families. All the villas are one bedroom.” He paused to let that sink in. “I did tell you we would be sharing a bed.”

He stepped closer to her, heat emanating off him and warming her. He brushed a finger lightly down her cheek, tipping her chin so she had no alternative but to look him in the eye. “In case you forgot, that was the non-negotiable part of our deal”

This time it was Jasmine that shook herself from his light hold. “I didn’t forget, but it was worth asking.”

He laughed. “I’ll just check us in.”

She tried desperately to cool the desire that had sprung up from his touch, as she admired the surroundings of the reception area.

Lukas was right; the decor was expensive but tasteful. The soft browns and light greens accentuated the rustic nature of the homestead. In various corners couches and lounge chairs were set up around small, squat wooden tables, so guests could relax and catch up over coffee. The atmosphere was sophisticated and relaxed all at the same time. Under different circumstances she would’ve quite enjoyed staying at the resort.

Wondering what was taking so long she looked towards the reception, her eyes narrowing as she spied Lukas and the receptionist exchanging words. The attractive younger woman was getting far too friendly for Jasmine’s liking. Jealousy spiked as she saw the woman laying a hand on Lukas’s arm, her scarlet tipped fingers curling into Lukas’s jacket.

Before Jasmine had time to think or control the urge overtaking her, her feet were carrying towards the main desk.

Two can play this game, she thought.

Reaching Lukas’s side, she slipped her arm around his waist.

“Are you almost done, darling?” she then turned her attention towards the receptionist keeping her tone light and, she hoped, jealousy free. “Hello, complements to the management, the ambience that’s been created with your reception area is lovely. I can’t wait to see our villa to see if the décor has been carried through.”

Whether it was the way her body had naturally curved into Lukas’s or she hadn’t managed to suppress the possessiveness in her eyes, the receptionist murmured a welcome before quickly picking up the phone which had started to ring.

Under her hands, the slight tensing of Lukas’s back was the only indication she’d surprised him with her actions. What happened next made her regret her hasty decision. Her lips were captured in a short, quick kiss. Even though the touch was brief, the desire in
his action unmistakeable. As his lips left hers she looked up and was instantly lost in his hot gaze.

“I’m all finished,” he said, showing her the keycard to their villa as proof as he moved away from the reception area. He lowered his voice so his next words were heard only by her. “I, too, can’t wait to start our vacation.”

A rush of hot colour flooded her face and ducking her head, she let her hair fall in a shining, glittering, blond curtain to cover her hot cheeks.

Of all the stupid things she had done in her life, this was the worst. She had no idea why she’d tried to play with Lukas. All it had achieved was giving him the idea she couldn’t wait to get him alone in their room.

“You needn’t have worried, Jasmine. You know, I always only have eyes for you, my wife,” he said mockingly, as if reading her mind.

“I know nothing of the sort. I’m still not even sure we’re married. You didn’t give me a chance to find any proof, now that you finally deigned to show up again.”

She wanted to snatch the words immediately back. She was not an impulsive person but ever since Lukas had come back into her life, impulsive behaviour had become her best friend.

He stopped suddenly and faced her. “Let’s get one thing straight. You are married to me and I will not tolerate any more of your ridiculous assertions we’re not husband and wife. Do you understand?”

Lukas turned away from her without waiting for a reply, heading down the corridor towards a door, which, she could only assume would lead to their outside villa.

She followed, silently seething at the vehemence in his voice. Not for long though. Once they were safely inside the suite, she turned on him.

“Do not speak to me that way, ever again. I’m not here by choice and you know that. I’m here because you threatened me.”

“You keep playing the same record over and over and over. I’m getting tired of it.” Pushing his jacket back, he slipped his hands in his trouser pockets, stretching the fabric firmly across his thighs. “Yes, perhaps the circumstances that brought us here weren’t the most ideal. But here we are, so let’s just try and enjoy our time together. Do you think we can try to be civil towards one another?”

His unexpected words deflated her anger. She never would’ve thought he would be the one to initiate a truce between them. Would it be so difficult to be polite to him? She didn’t think so. Not giving into the desire she felt whenever he came near her was another matter altogether.

“Well?”

“I think I can manage that. Can you?” She felt it only reasonable to ask the same of him.

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” He checked his watch. “Why don’t you relax, take advantage of the resort’s facilities. I’ve got a meeting to attend, but I should be back in time for dinner.”

Deciding to put into practice her recent vow to get along with him she asked, “Would you like me to order room service?”

“No, I’ve already made arrangements for dinner. No need to dress up, but bring a jacket, it may be warm now but the evenings cool down quite quickly.”

With those final words he walked out the door. The moment it snicked shut the tension in her muscles oozed out. She took in the surroundings of the sitting room. Like the reception area it was nothing short of sumptuous. The artwork adorning the walls belonged,
not in a resort, but in any art gallery in the world. How she wished she and Lukas were here under different circumstances. Happier circumstances. Anything but what they now found themselves in.

Making her way from the sitting room, she entered the one and only bedroom where her gaze fell on the king size bed dominating the room. A movie started playing in her mind. She was powerless to stop the images of herself tangled in the sheets with Lukas.

The movie unfolded with her trailing kisses down his lean, muscular chest. His hands busy as they delved into her hair encouraging her to go lower. Closing her eyes didn’t banish the images, it only enhanced them. Her hand stroked his hard length, before bending to kiss the tip, tracing her tongue around the head of his cock. Before she could take him in her mouth, he pulled her away, taking her mouth in a savage kiss. His lips practically devoured hers with his passion. Showing his superior strength he flipped her over and without any preliminaries entered her. Sweat glistened like melting icicles in the sun over their bodies as they moved in a rhythm all of their own.

The screech of a gull as it flew past the window jolted Jasmine from her daydream. She stilled momentarily. Was it just a daydream brought about from her early response to Lukas’s kiss or was it a memory?

She shook her head vigorously to dispel the unbidden thoughts. Wanting air she headed towards a set of doors that led out to a balcony. She inhaled deeply and the faintly sea scented breeze filled her nostrils, cooling her flushed cheeks. She was surprised to see their villa had an ocean view. Upon arriving she had no idea just how close they really were to the ocean. It was easy to imagine sitting out on the deck with a cool drink in her hand while watching the sun set. If romance was their market then the resort owners had achieved their goal. Romance seeped from every corner of the resort.

Sighing heavily, she turned her back on the view. The last thing she needed to think about was romance or making love with Lukas.

She made her way back to the bedroom, looking anywhere but at the bed as she entered the bathroom. Her makeup bag sat on the bench, nestled closely to Lukas’s. Another feature of the resort, staff, who were discreet and efficient. It seemed that while they had been checking in, their luggage had been brought to their villa and essential items had been unpacked.

In one corner sat a huge bath, the temptation to have a leisurely bubble bath was overwhelming, but after her last experience in the bath it was probably safer to have a shower instead.

Once the temperature was to her liking, she slipped under the needlepoint spray, letting the warm water sluice over her body, washing away the travel grime. The massaging shower head proved effective in soothing her travel weary muscles. Shutting off the water she grabbed a towel from the rack and briskly dried herself. She put on her silk robe and left the ensuite. She walked to the mini fridge in their sitting room, pulled out a bottle of water, swallowing a few mouthfuls.