AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Taking a deep breath, she removed the suit, pulling on the dress, her hand dragging her hair free of the band to allow it to fall around her shoulders and down her back. Fishing out the cream shoes which she wore with the dress, she pulled them on, not sure that the small heels made much difference to her stature, but hey, she needed all the help she could get – was that not what he had said? Taking a last look in the mirror, she steadied herself before once more moving towards the kitchen. If he made another comment about her appearance, then so help her, she would find a good use for the other thing left to her from her grandmother. The skillet was certainly heavy enough to cause some real damage to the arrogant billionaire.
Stepping once more into the kitchen, her look challenged him to say one word, his head lifting as a slow sensual smile spread over his features. “Well... So much better... You look... Good” Giving him a shriveling glare, she opened a cupboard, grabbing a glass before filling it with water, not prepared to let him see how the compliment sent the strangest sensation of pleasure running through her, the anger washed away.
Taking a long drink, she pulled herself back together before once more turning to face him, her small chin lifted defiantly, “Well... Wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of all of your judging shallow-minded friends” His lips twitched again, real humour deep in his eyes, “That would be the ‘judging, shallow-minded friends’ you seem so desperate to meet”, the soft words making her curl her fingers around the glass. “Yes... well. Like I said I have my reasons” Still drinking his coffee, his eyes fixed on her, his whole stance relaxed, while she felt her insides trembling. “Care to tell me what those ‘reasons’ are?”
Turning to rinse her glass, she shook her head fervently, “Nope” His long sigh made her turn, his look now serious. “I should tell you Joy, that I will be keeping a close eye on you. I do not like this deal, not one little bit. But if I find out you are up to something, anything that might harm my friends... I will come down so hard on you, you will not know what day of the week it is”
Joy pursed her lips, her head nodding softly, “Understood” The two regarded each other before he placed his cup on the table. “OK. I had thought to ask you to pack a bag... But after what I just saw we will just make our first stop somewhere to get you new clothes. Oh, and do you have a passport?” Joy snapped to attention as she frowned. “Why would I need to pack?” His finger trailed around the rim of the cup, a predatory smile on his mouth. “Because Miss Reid, I have a hectic life which involves my travelling around a great deal. Now you could either accompany me... or I could just hook up with you when I am in town” Her eyes widened, lips opening in surprise, “When are you going?... Where are you going?” His arm came up in an exaggerated movement, checking his watch, “Hmmm, in about five hours... Enough time to get lunch and then my flight... And the ‘where’ depends on the particular day”
Joy glared at the man before her. Was this his attempt to shake her off, to pay lip service to the deal they made? He was a busy man she knew, but it was vital that she stick with him, did what had to be done. Taking a shuddering breath, she fixed him with eyes full of determination. Time to pull up her big girl pants and show him she was not going to be side-lined.
Pulling her phone out, she could see his eyes narrowing as silently she dialed a number. “Hi Jan... I need to go out of town, not sure for how long... Could you watch the farm for me?” After a few seconds and the promise to tell Jan more later she rang off, her look turned once more to his. “OK Mr Calle... Ready when you are. And yes I have a passport”, Joy satisfied to see the way his eyes hardened and his jaw tightened.
Standing, he moved towards the door. “In that case Miss Reid, let’s go”, his arm outstretched for her to lead the way. With one final glance around, she moved out of the home she had grown up in, stopping only long enough to pick up the small passport tucked neatly in the living room sideboard, the sinking feeling hitting her that the next time she would see her home, it would most likely be to pack up her belongings.
In the car the two were silent, both lost in their own thoughts. Jan had been surprised when she called, her worried voice once more questioning if she was sure, telling Joy that they could find another way, Joy knowing that they never would. Finally on the other end of the line her aunt had sighed, she knowing that the woman was smiling as she promised to move into the farm with Ricco. Joy knew that the farm would be in safe hands. It had once been her aunt’s home, she and her father having grown up on it. An image of little Ricco, his small hand reaching out to the horses as he gurgled happily filled her mind, the importance of her mission making her throat contract, Joy suddenly finding it hard to breath, not aware as her face filled with pain.
“You OK?” Carig’s concerned voice returned her thoughts to where she was, Joy pulling a shaky smile to her mouth. “Sure... I’m fine”, looking once more back out of the window as she surreptitiously brushed away the tear which rolled down her cheek.
The car pulling abruptly onto the grass at the side of the road pulled her shocked face around to stare at him, his mouth set in a solemn line. “W... What are you doing?” Carig remained tight-lipped until the car pulled to a full stop. Then, releasing his seatbelt he twisted to face her, his stony expression making her eyes widen in confusion. “It is no secret that I find this whole situation unacceptable. I am a busy man Joy, and do not have time to accompany some needy woman with social aspirations, but you backed me into a corner” His look was full of anger, his eyes steely, “But... one thing I will absolutely NOT put up with is lies. I asked you if you are OK, and already you are lying to me”
Joy gulped, her look falling from his as she felt her lips start to quiver, her nails digging into her palm, fighting hard and losing the will to stop the tears which spilled over her lids. The soft expletive which washed over her was quickly followed by hands grasping her shoulders and dragging her against his hard chest, his words soft. “I’m sorry. I can be such a jackass sometimes. Just ignore me”
Pulling slightly back from him, she angled her head to look into his concerned eyes. Why did he have to look like he gave a damn? It was so much easier doing this when he treated her like she was something beneath him, the way he had the previous day. With sadness so clear in her tone, her voice trembled, “I am sorry. I don’t want to take up your time... And I can’t tell you why”, another sob escaping her lips. “But I have my reasons Carig... And none of them have anything to do with ‘social aspirations’ but they are important... So important” His brows drew together in a frown. “Perhaps I could help you Joy. Whatever it is, did you ever think that I could be of help?” Joy allowed her eyes to drift over his face, sincerity written all over his handsome features before she shook her head minutely. “You can’t”, the ghost of a smile sitting on her lush lips, “But I appreciate your asking”
Carig dragged in a long breath, his head nodding. “OK. But I have to insist that from now on... No more lies. If you can’t or won’t answer... say so” Swallowing again, she nodded, her eyes once more growing bleary with tears. “I... I just felt so sad. The next time I see this place... the place I grew up”, her voice broke slightly, “The place my father lived... and died – it will be to pack everything away... It will be so... final... Like losing him forever”
A groan slipped from him, even as his hands rose to cup her jaw, fingers caressing her cheeks as his look fell to her trembling lips. Before she could say another word, his head dipped, his mouth covering hers. Joy melted. Tasting his breath, her lips parting in silent permission, his lips sliding harder against hers as his tongue slid sensually against her own. His kiss was tender, teasing, pulling a response from her along with a small purr at the back of her throat. His hands slid to the back of her head, pulling her even harder to himself, the kiss deepening, becoming more demanding.
Joy could feel herself sinking under the onslaught of his mouth, the taste of him, the feel of him, dragging her deeper into pleasure. Not once did it cross her mind to push him away, the need to be closer to him swamping her senses, her body leaning forward, straining to get closer.
The bite of the seatbelt holding her back was sudden, shocking her senses back to normality. Joy’s hands moved to his chest, pushing him, even as her eyes flew open, she not sure when they had closed, stunned disbelief deep within. Carig’s fingers remained wrapped around her head, although he pulled back slightly too before his forehead dropped to hers, both speechless, the sound of their raspy breaths the only noise within the small space.
Finally she was released, Carig sitting back, watching her closely, a wry smile twisting his lips, the unasked question in her eyes finally seeing him pull his seatbelt back on. “That should show you that there are worse things that can happen in life”
The unexpected words made her mouth open in stunned shock before the gurgle of laughter rose within her, breaking free as she began to first chuckle, then laugh, until tears slid down her face. Carig also felt his lips twitch, the tension in his features disappearing as he too laughed before restarting the car and slanting her a smile. “Much nicer tears”, his soft words making her look drop to her hands, a wistful smile on her face before she looked back, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Carig Calle... ’Reducing Women to Tears’ specialist” Carig could not help the large grin which filled his features before he moved the car back onto the road. “You have no idea”, his only response, other than another small chuckle.
