Kitabı oku: «Modern Romance Books September Books 5-8», sayfa 7

CHAPTER FOUR

WITH HIS BACK to the coffee shop, and a paper cup of over-stewed coffee in one hand, Rafael scanned the faces of the people emerging from Customs out into the waiting crowds. A few were optimistically peering to find loved ones. Most looked frazzled and weary.

Under normal circumstances, Rafael would not have been standing there, drinking mediocre coffee and waiting for anyone to arrive. Under normal circumstances, he would have dispatched his driver to do the honours, but these were hardly normal circumstances.

A fortnight ago, he had left Argentina an engaged man. He had presumed that Sofia would leave with him but, she’d informed him, she had things to do.

‘I can’t just up sticks and leave,’ she had told him, sitting upright across from him in the formal sitting room where the details of this marriage of convenience had been discussed with the formality of two heads of state at a summit. ‘I have things to do.’

‘What things?’

‘Things,’ she had said coolly. ‘All the usual things a person has to do just before they travel to another country to marry someone they barely know.’

‘Thereby ensuring themselves a small fortune in the process,’ Rafael had been prompted into saying, edgily. ‘As a token of good faith, I’m prepared to personally transfer a sizeable amount to your bank account online right now, if you give me your account details.’

‘I also,’ Sofia had added, overriding the offer, ‘don’t like the idea of just disappearing and leaving a farewell note behind. I may not be the Walters’ biggest fan,’ she had conceded truthfully, ‘but I’m fond of their children and I would like to say goodbye to them.’

* * *

So that had been that. In the end, it had worked out for the best because Rafael had travelled back solo and had taken the opportunity to explain the situation to David, who was now on the slow and laborious route to recuperation.

It had also given him ample opportunity to crystallise the what happens next? in the scenario.

Not that he hadn’t thought about it while he had been out there. He had. Eventually. When matters had come to a head.

He’d been confronted with a sexy beauty and for a while his libido had misbehaved but, yes, when he had sat her down and explained the situation, he had known that acting on his libido was not going to do.

This wasn’t going to be one of his transitory affairs. He wasn’t going to be able to walk away after a handful of weeks and bouquet of ‘it’s over’ flowers lovingly chosen by his PA.

No, Sofia Suarez, whose existence he hadn’t been aware of a fortnight previously, was going to be slightly more long-lasting than that.

A year. That was the timeline mutually agreed as they had coolly and objectively discussed the nuts and bolts of their arrangement. A year, during which he would sort out the problem with Freddy and she would build the bonds with her father that would last beyond the inevitable divorce. A year seemed like a reasonable length of time. Having agreed to the deal, not once had she baulked, and he had admired her for that.

It was going to be a mutually beneficial situation for all concerned. For his godfather, who was desperate to meet his flesh-and-blood daughter. For him, because he was not only going to do something for the only human being on the planet he actually had time for but, in the process, would sort out the aggravation of his godfather’s stepson’s interference—and, as no miserly bonus, garner himself a healthy slice of the leisure industry his godfather had made his own. And of course for his bride-to-be, who would suddenly find herself one of the wealthiest women on the continent.

Joy and laughter all round.

But not if he allowed his libido to rule his head.

Rafael had felt the sizzle of attraction between them. He had seen the flare of desire in her feline green eyes and for a short while he had actually contemplated doing something about it. Because the pull towards her, forbidden fruit when he’d started thinking with his head instead of that other, far less reliable part of his body, was the strongest he’d ever experienced.

But this was a business arrangement and he had never been stupid enough to mix business with pleasure.

His solution had been the perfect one. They would maintain their freedom of movement whilst obeying rules of utmost discretion. A year was hardly an eternity in the great scheme of things.

Mind half-playing on the various formalities to be manoeuvred, Rafael spotted her emerging from the airport corridor through which lay Arrivals and Customs. She was walking slowly behind a family and trying hard to control a trolley that seemed determined to explore the opposite direction from the one she was taking.

Her long, dark, curly hair was tied back but travel had unravelled most of it from its restraints. She was dressed in a pair of faded jeans, a loose T-shirt and a scruffy bomber jacket. Her skin was the colour of latte and as smooth as silk and he drew in a sharp breath before briskly walking in her direction.

Just when you figure you’ve got life nicely under control, he thought with grim amusement, you discover that life’s decided to turn the tables and start controlling you.

Just as well he was made of sterner stuff and could handle anything life decided to throw at him.

* * *

Flustered and bug-eyed, because she could count on the fingers of one hand the number of hours she had actually managed to sleep over the past couple of weeks, Sofia was not aware of Rafael’s steady approach.

She was too busy trying not to crash into the three-year-old toddler being pulled along by his mother.

The dark timbre of Rafael’s voice brought her to an abrupt stop, but not for long, because he seamlessly took the trolley from her and ushered her out of the steady stream of traffic looking for familiar faces.

‘Good flight?’ he enquired politely.

Sofia slanted a glance at him. Somehow she had managed to forget just how stunning the guy was. So tall, so powerfully built, so aggressively masculine.

Eyes turned in his direction. Had he noticed? She was sure that he must have and that awareness of his own sexual magnetism would certainly account for some of his overwhelming self-assurance.

‘Fine, thank you,’ she returned, remembering for the record that he might be sex on legs but he was also someone who got what he wanted, whatever the cost and even if it involved lying.

‘That’s all the luggage you have with you?’

‘I travel light.’

‘Sensible. You’re going to have a whole new wardrobe anyway, so the less of your old things you have to dispose of, the better.’

‘How is my...my...how is David doing?’

‘You’re free to call him “Dad” if you like.’

‘He’s not my dad.’

Rafael shrugged but then turned to look down at her, his tone gentling. ‘I understand the situation, Sofia. You’re going to be meeting someone you have no interest in meeting but you’re going to have to control the tendency to be waspish. David is recuperating but the last thing he needs is to be stressed out by surly behaviour.’

‘You have no right to tell me off as though I’m a kid.’ Sofia looked him squarely in the eyes. ‘I didn’t ask to be here.’

‘But here you are, and I could name a million and one reasons why.’ He looked at her wryly, eyebrows raised. ‘Check your bank account and you’ll get my drift.’

Face burning, Sofia looked away. He had sent her three emails. One contained a form, basically preventing her from blabbing to the press about anything. The other contained a complicated legal document involving distribution of shares and cash and she had signed it without reading it to the end.

The third email had detailed practical information. That one she had read thoroughly but now that she was here, so far from home, panic began to set in.

She rested her hand lightly on his arm as they emerged from the airport into cool spring air.

They had left some of the bustling crowds behind. Out here, cars were pulling up and slowly driving off, dropping and collecting passengers.

What have I got myself into? Sofia suddenly thought, terrified in a way she hadn’t been back in the safety of her room at the Walters’ mansion. Yes, she had agreed to something that made sound financial sense. He had assured her that theirs would not be a relationship in any true sense of the word and she had believed him. She was also, underneath the bluster, ever so slightly curious about the man who had fathered her, even though she doubted she could ever feel anything for some rich guy who had disappeared and broken her mother’s heart.

But still...

Here she was, and her mouth was suddenly dry and her pulses racing all over the place.

‘What is it?’

‘I... I...’ Her voice trailed off.

‘The car is over there.’ He nodded to a monstrously big Range Rover. ‘You can get it off your chest once we’re driving.’

‘You sent an email,’ Sofia began once she had climbed into the passenger seat and the car was silently exiting the cavernous car park. ‘I’m afraid I’ve forgotten... I signed the stuff and I know...well...that we’ve given this a year, but was there anything else? And where...where are we going now? I feel I should have asked more questions but...’

‘What did the boss say when you handed in your notice, just out of interest?’

‘James?’

‘I don’t suppose he was happy about that.’

‘It was inconvenient for both of them.’ She flushed and looked away, recalling the angry gleam in James’s eyes. She’d wondered whether he hadn’t planned, at some point, to try to get her into bed, and was annoyed because the opportunity had removed itself from his grasp. He didn’t intimidate her but she was seriously glad that he was no longer her boss.

‘I’ll bet. You’re nervous and wondering whether you’ve done the right thing.’

‘Have I said that?’

Rafael shot her a sideways look. ‘Remember that talent of mine for reading what’s not been said? If you’re having doubts, then remember the boss whose nose was put out of joint when you handed in your notice. I saw that photo. I can recognise a sleaze ball from a mile away. Life would have become increasingly difficult for you there. The guy was probably circling like a shark. So, you asked where we’re going. Right now, we’re going to be staying at one of my houses outside London. Close enough for me to commute, at least on weekends, but far enough for you to find your feet far from prying eyes.’

‘Prying eyes?’

‘I’ve done my utmost to steer clear of paparazzi in both my professional and personal life and am only ever in print in connection with some of the more significant deals I’ve done over the years. On the whole, reporters have little to no interest in my personal life but, that said, the fact that I’m married isn’t something that’s going to pass unnoticed.’ He paused and slanted another sideways glance at her. ‘I thought you might want to adjust to life over here in relative peace and quiet before you’re introduced as my wife. Hence we avoid my London base for a few weeks.’

‘That’s very thoughtful of you,’ Sofia said stiffly.

‘It will also enable you to control the occasions when you meet David. I’ve discussed this with him and he’s happy with the arrangement. He is, believe it or not, as nervous about meeting you as you are of meeting him.’

‘I’m not nervous.’

‘I’ll let that one pass. Have you ever been to this country before?’

‘No.’ She sighed and gazed out of the window at the soulless buzz of the motorway.

‘You’ll familiarise yourself with the place in time.’ He paused. ‘We’re heading out of London at the moment. I’ve arranged a jeweller, who will be coming to my house with a selection of rings. You can take your pick of whatever you like. I’ve also had a timetable of various activities prepared for you, including a shopping trip for...amongst other things...a dress for the big day. You can either go to Harrods or else Harrods will come to you, if you don’t fancy London.’

Sofia thought that this was the reality. The ring. The dress. A ceremony that suited all parties but had no emotional significance. The best that money could buy but without joy, anticipation or love.

She shivered and laughed unsteadily.

‘What is it?’ Rafael quizzed, not looking at her. ‘I’m merely going over all the practical details.’

‘I know. It’s strange,’ she said slowly, ‘But for a while, when you first arrived at the Walters’ house, when you were pretending to be a gardener, I actually felt comfortable with you. I hadn’t expected to, but I did. You were...different. More easy going, light-hearted. I suppose that was just a persona and this is the real you.’

Rafael flushed darkly. ‘I don’t have a split personality, Sofia.’

‘You weren’t cold and distant like this...’

‘I’m being practical,’ he offered brusquely. ‘It’s the best way of dealing with this situation. This is not Argentina and it’s better for the both of us if we approach it from the same perspective. We’re in an arrangement and we need to view it as such.’ He looked at her, at her smooth, stunningly sexy profile, the gentle curve of her neck, the sweep of her dark hair, and his body stirred in unwelcome and definitely inappropriate response. ‘It’s essential, in fact,’ he felt compelled to stress in a roughened undertone.

Sofia didn’t say anything but she was sitting next to a stranger.

‘It’s just a little weird to think that I’m about to embark on a wedding and a marriage to a guy who is more of a stranger now than he was when I first met him.’

‘Not such a great idea to go there,’ Rafael said, picking up pace now that the airport surroundings had been left behind and they were shooting away from the city. ‘This is what we both signed up for and we both had our reasons. Let’s just hit Acceptance Road and keep on it.’

‘But don’t you feel just a little bit sad that you’re not getting married for all the right reasons?’ She laughed lightly to cover up the sincerity of what she was saying. Funny thing was, she’d always considered herself the sort of practical girl who didn’t have a romantic bone in her body. Not really. Yes, she believed in love, but a sensible sort of love. Not the sort of tempestuous carousel of emotion that had plagued her mother and driven her into relationships that had been doomed before they got off the ground.

‘The right reasons being...the starry-eyed business of true love?’ Rafael laughed shortly. ‘In a word, no.’ And just like that he thought of times past and his brief and disastrous foray into married life. Hell, he thought he’d relegated that slice of insanity to the past! Too young to know better and too green round the gills to realise that some women loved money more than they loved the men they claimed to adore. He shut the wayward memory down. You learned from the crap that was thrown at you and you moved on. He’d learned from having rich parents who hadn’t given a damn about him and he’d moved on. He’d learned from that costly, juvenile mistake when he’d married in haste and he’d moved on.

‘You’re very cynical, aren’t you?’

‘Very realistic. I’ve seen where so-called true love ends up and it’s not in a happy-ever-after scenario. I’m comfortable with this arrangement. And you should be too because, as we’ve agreed, there is a time limit to it.’

‘I remember,’ Sofia said dryly. One year, he had concluded, during which time the relationship with David could be forged, the business of Freddy would be concluded and thereafter she would be free to divorce and pick back up her life, but as a wealthy woman.

‘I didn’t take you for the romantic kind,’ he eventually remarked to break the silence and kill the remnants of uninvited memories. ‘In fact, you were pretty spiky when we first met.’

‘I’m not the romantic kind! And you were pretty arrogant when we first met, which was probably why I was spiky.’ It was suddenly unnerving because he’d lost the cool voice, and that glimpse of the sexy, easy guy she’d found herself attracted to was back. It was just a glimpse but it was still enough to make her skin tingle. This time, though, she was prepared and she quickly changed the subject because there was no way she was going to lose her head a second time round. He’d turned the charm on when he’d descended in his fake role as gardener because he’d needed to suss her out, get to know her, and that had been the most efficient way of doing itt. But charm was inherent in his personality and she guessed that it would be far too easy to fall victim to it again. It was something she wasn’t about to do.