The Playboy's Fugitive Bride (9 page)

BOOK: The Playboy's Fugitive Bride
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She turned and glared at him.  “You miserable, filthy son-of—”

“Tsh, tsh.  Such fury, pussycat.  And such vulgarity from the mouth of a schoolteacher.  I hope you never use such language in the presence of your young impressionable students.  Although,” he continued, raising a hand to stop her from speaking, “if I had a teacher who looked like you, I wouldn’t give a damn what kind of words came out of her mouth.  You’d be my favorite and I’d be so delighted to be your pet.  I’d bring you apples everyday, and strawberries and oranges, too, if you wanted them.”

Nia saw the devilish twinkle in the depths of Massimo’s eyes and his mouth quivering with humor. 
Jerk
.  He was toying with her.  “I’ve never spoken this way before.  You seem to bring out the worst in me.” 
Six years worth of
bottled-up frustrations to be exact
.  “Maybe I talk to you that way because it’s the only type of language you seem to understand.”  She reached for a pillow to knock the ridiculous smirk off his face.

Massimo was on her in a heartbeat.  He captured her hands and pinned them to the mattress above her head.  The silk sheet slid off her shoulders, exposing one brown-ripe breast and one darker-shaded smooth wide nipple.  The sight of that voluptuous lonely breast tempted him beyond reason and caused a hot ache to grow in his throat.  He remembered the smooth taste in his mouth.

He held his breath as his eyes raked down her petite frame.  The only thing standing in his way was the silky barrier of that sheet.  He knew what her skin felt like under his palms. 
Boy, did he know
.  It was silk of the Sylk.  He had shaped and molded her body to his last night.  He had kissed her and caressed her until Azi’s tea had rendered him unconscious.

What Massimo didn’t know until now was what Nia looked like.  For obvious reasons, he’d undressed her in the dark then left the bed before the light of dawn, just so he wouldn’t have to fight with his conscience and his desire for her.  The added pleasure of seeing her naked would have pushed him right over the edge, as it was doing now.  He focused his gaze on her face.

Fury rioted through her
.

Lust surged through him
.

“Don’t you fret your pretty little head, Nia.  When we do
it
, there will be no doubts in your mind.  I will leave my mark on you, with you, and most assuredly inside you.  You wouldn’t have to wonder whether or not we mated, pussycat.  You
will
know.  I promised not to make love to you for a week and I’m sticking to it.  Hard as it is.  Pun intended.”  With reluctance, he released her and pulled the cover up over her chest.

Nia let out an audible sigh of relief, grateful that her game was still on.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, shooting to his feet.

What a stupid question.  Despite the fact that she wanted to punch him when she thought he’d taken advantage of her, she still had a burning hunger for him.  To her dismay, a tiny part of her dared to develop a speck of respect for him.  All things considered, he could have taken her last night and there was not a damn thing she could have done about it, drunk as she was.

She didn’t know whether to resent or commend him for keeping his word. 

“Azi has already started breakfast.”  Massimo’s voice pulled her back to the subject of food.  “I don’t know what you like, so I instructed her to prepare an assortment of dishes.”

“You didn’t have to do that.  I’m not a fussy eater.”

“I noticed that last night.  I like it.  Too many women starve themselves thinking that men like skin and bones.”  There was a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes.  “I appreciate a toned, healthy-looking woman.  Like you,
cara
.”

Nia could only imagine how enticing she looked lying naked in his bed while he was fully clothed in a crisp white button-down shirt and a pair of dark suit slacks.  A swath of wavy black hair rested casually on his forehead.  Even fully dressed, he exhibited an aura of sexuality unmatched by any other man she’d ever met.  She could so easily fall...

Thoughts of Aaron reminded Nia of the reason she was in Massimo’s bed and she pushed the silly fantasies away.  Some of her anger evaporated, leaving embarrassment at her tirade, and confusion at the fact that she wanted to hurt Massimo and make him want her at the same time.  “I’m sorry for my outburst when I thought you—”

“No apologies necessary.  I know how it feels to be betrayed.  When someone you trust breaks a promise, it brings out the worst in you.  I despise liars.”

Nia frowned.  Was this the same man who had lied to her father, broken a promise that had caused his death?  The world was full of people who condemned others for the very same flaws they themselves possessed.  She supposed Massimo was one of those self-righteous hypocrites.

“We have a lot to accomplish today.”  Massimo strolled around to the other side of the bed and picked up a remote control from his nightstand.  He pressed a button and the red and ivory satin drapes slithered soundlessly apart.

Nia blinked as the bright sunlight hit her face.  Still clutching the sheet to her body, she sat up and leaned her back against the cushioned headboard.  She glanced at the clock on the nightstand.  It was only eight-thirty.  “It’s still early.”

A ray of sunlight caught his eyes as he stared at her.  “I’m surprised you think so.  Aren’t you usually in school around this time?”

“Yeah, but I’m on vacation, remember?”

Massimo set the remote back on the nightstand and picked up his Rolex.  “Unlike you,
cara
, I’m not on vacation.  I don’t have the luxury of lying around in bed all day.  I have a billion-dollar company to run.  People all over the world depend on me for their livelihood.”

Did he grow a conscience with age?  Her father had depended on him, and had been deadly disappointed.  Too bad Massimo hadn’t developed his sense of obligation six years ago.  If he had, she wouldn’t be lying naked in his bed right now.  “You have a company to run, but I don’t see why I have to get up so early.”  She had her own errands today, none of which she could do with him breathing down her neck.

“Well, there’s the matter of your new wardrobe, transportation, and two million dollars that needs to be turned into cash within two days.  Oh yes, and a credit card.  I can’t have you interrupting a board meeting to ask if you can have a few dollars to buy some tampons and a soda.”

“I don’t drink soda.”

“Well, you’ll need tampons at some point.”

But I’ll be gone by then,
Nia thought as she watched him slip the watch onto his wrist
.
  The only thing she wanted from Massimo was her two million dollars.  But until she saw that cash—better still until she held those crisp hundred-dollar bills in the palms of her hands, she had to continue playing the game she’d made up and whose rules he was trying to change.

“You have a two-thirty appointment at the country club today,” he said imperiously as if he were giving orders to one of his employees whom he expected to obey without question.

“For what?”

“Your nails, hair, a facial, and a full body massage.”

Nia glanced at her nails then rushed the fingers of one hand through her tousled hair.  “I’m good.”

“Not good enough for the event tonight.”

Her eyes widened.  “Event?  What event?”

His smile was guarded.  “I’m sure you’ve heard about the charity event that’s taking place at the Fontaine Conference Center tonight.”

Nia nodded.  “I’d have to be deaf and blind not to know about it.”  The event—a dinner that cost two thousand dollars a plate, and a silent auction of high-ticketed prizes like weekend getaways, seven-day cruises, expensive cars, and a collection of watercolor landscapes from a newly discovered local artist—was being sponsored by the Children of the Future Foundation.  It was reported that a number of Hollywood celebrities who had vacation homes in the region were expected to attend.

“What about it?” Nia asked.

He smiled easily.  “You’ll be going as my date.  I want you glowing.”

“But... I...”

His head tilted to one side.  “Are you ashamed of being seen with me in public, Nia?”

Nia averted her gaze and stared out the wall of glass at the white hills in the distance.  As much as she would love this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend such a splendid affair, it’d be a mistake, especially since she knew that swarms of reporters and their cameras buzzed about Massimo like bees on a petal.  An event like this would attract even more paparazzi.

She could just imagine tomorrow’s headlines in the local newspapers and the article in the next issue of
Granite Falls People News
:
The Italian Playboy Wins Again.  Who’s The Mystery Woman On Andretti’s Arm?  Massimo Andretti’s Latest Conquest: How Long Will She Last?

If her face were made public, it would be virtually impossible for her to hide from him, even on a remote little island like Dulcina.  He had the resources to track her down to the ends of the earth, and knowing him, she knew he would put a BOLO out on her.

But even more frightening was the possibility of Eddie seeing a picture of them together.  Eddie was a shark, and if he discovered she was associated with Massimo Andretti—one of the richest men in the world, one million dollars would suddenly become insufficient for him.  He would try to blackmail her for the rest of her life.

Nia was feeling the heat of her deceit already.  She might not be able to make her way out of this one, she realized with a shudder.  Why hadn’t she thought of this possibility when she set out to con Massimo?  She really hadn’t thought this plan through very well, had she?

“Are you ashamed the world will know you’re my latest conquest, Nia?”

Think of Aaron
, she told herself. 
You can do it for him
.  “No, Massimo, I’m not ashamed.  It just took me by surprise that you’d want to make our relationship public so soon.”  Panic choked her, but she managed to hold herself together.  “I mean, what are you going to tell people when they ask how we met?  That I offered you my virginity for two mi…”  She cleared her throat at another near miss.  “For four million dollars?”

He chuckled, his blue eyes taking on a glossy hue.  “You should know by now that I never tell people anything, Nia.  I let them draw their own conclusions.”

Thinking back on all she’d heard about him over the years, Nia had to agree.  He was the most private public figure she knew.   Nobody knew about Jabari.  Nobody knew where he’d disappeared to six years ago when he ordered the then CEO of Andretti Industries to sell her father’s mill.

He hadn’t even defended himself against Gabrielle’s accusations of infidelity.  He never discussed his personal relationships.  It was the women who did all the talking. 
They
fueled the gossip frenzy.  “Well, I appreciate your discretion,” she said, “because I wouldn’t want people thinking that I’m a...”

“Whore?” he finished when she trailed off.  “Ah, pussycat, you made yourself a whore when you offered to sell me your virginity.  If you want to change your mind, we can forget about the money and just become lovers.  We can start right now,” he said gazing down at her with sexy cobalt eyes.  “You can live here for the duration of the relationship and once it’s over we’ll part ways—mutually satisfied, I hope.  Since I’m in the habit of taking care of my ex-lovers, you know you’ll have a substantial parting gift.  Theoretically, you wouldn’t be a whore, just another woman I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.”

Lust filled his eyes as he dropped down on the bed.  “What’d you say, pussycat, shall we mate?” he asked, leaning so close to her, she felt his hot breath on her face.

Nia tried to deny the pulsing ache between her thighs and the moisture seeping from her body onto the mattress.  She took deep gulping breaths and willed herself not to throw off the silk cover, lay back, spread her legs, and let Massimo have her.  She knew his words were cleverly crafted to make her want to do just that.  Would he follow through if she fell victim to his wicked charm?  Her gaze skidded from his eyes to his sexy lips.  “I’ll think about it,” she said on an equally cleverly crafted smile.

“Ah, pussycat, it’s so nice when we agree, isn’t it?”  He placed a quick kiss on her forehead and pushed to his feet.  “Don’t loiter in bed.  There’s much to be done today.”

He descended the steps and walked across the floor.  “Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, turning at the door.  “You’ll also be accompanying me to a very important business meeting tomorrow night.”

Nia pursed her lips.  “Why do I need to attend a business meeting with you?  I don’t know anything about your business.”

“You don’t need to know anything about my business.  You just need to be by my side.”

“Well, suppose I don’t want to go.”

His mouth parted on a wide smile.  “It’s not a request,
cara
.  You will be there by my side.  We’re involved now, which means when I attend a function that requires a date, you will dangle from my arm, dressed to kill with a big smile on your beautiful face.  So make sure you select outfits that are appropriate for each occasions.  I’ll say hot and sultry for tonight and elegant for tomorrow.  Joanne’s Boutique on Main Street is the place to shop.  I’ll let them know you’ll be coming.”  He closed the door behind him.

Nia picked up a pillow and tossed it at the closed door.  She punched another pillow and screamed in frustration.  Damn him!  He was playing her, just as assuredly as she was playing him.  There was no pretending anymore.  The game was officially on.  Perhaps it was on since last night, she thought with dismay as the events of the night became clear as day.  He’d warned her at dinner not to drink too much of that fine wine he kept pouring into her glass each time she held it out for a refill.  And her pert response was, “I can hold my liquor.”

Feeling like a complete idiot, Nia covered her face with her hands as memories of Massimo caressing and kissing her body made her blush.  She even remembered begging him to make love to her.  What had stopped him from fulfilling her request?  It couldn’t be honor since she already knew he had none.

BOOK: The Playboy's Fugitive Bride
11.7Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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