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‘And you,’ he pointed out with a sceptical huff. ‘You go. I’ll take care of Moon. She should know me. You can’t cling to her for ever. It isn’t fair to the horse. Go,’ he instructed Jess as the pony grew increasingly agitated. ‘If you love her, you’ll entrust her to me.’
Jess’s eyes were wide, and threatened tears. ‘You’ll take good care of her, won’t you?’
‘The well-being of my animals is paramount.’
‘Just one more thing,’ she said, and Dante paused for a moment. ‘What would you have said if I had introduced myself as your therapist in the first place?’
Based on ten-year-old memories? He would have laughed her out of the room.
‘Don’t be angry with your family for caring about you,’ she said as if reading his mind. ‘I’m the best chance of recovery you’ve got.’
‘We’ll see, won’t we?’
Swinging around, he turned his attention to the horse. The mare was soon quiet again. Moon trusted him instinctively. What she didn’t like was friction between him and Jess. ‘We’ll have to do something about that, won’t we?’ he murmured in one silken ear.
Moon rewarded him immediately by calmly resting her head on his shoulder and whickering softly, as if to say yes.
CHAPTER FIVE
PERCHED TENSELY ON the edge of a deeply upholstered seat in the lounge area of Dante’s super-jet, Jess brooded on whether she should have blurted out sooner, I’m your therapist. I’ve been booked by your brothers and sister. Suck it up. Well, maybe not that last—
‘Are you sure you won’t have another sparkling water, señorita?’
‘No, thank you.’ Suddenly aware of the empty glass she was nursing, Jess handed it over with a smile. The cabin attendants couldn’t have been more helpful. Her surroundings were beyond impressive, from the plush leather and polished wood to the space. There was just so much space. She definitely wasn’t used to that in the cheap seats. The interior of Dante’s jet was more impressive than a mansion in a magazine. All light and bright and pristine, everything was of the highest quality.
Dante’s expression could be described as anything but light and bright when she’d left him on the lower deck; trust was crucial between a therapist and their patient. Had she sacrificed that? Heaving a sigh, she wondered when she could have told him. Things had moved so fast, because that was what her father wanted.
She could have made time.
Maybe, but that might have spoiled yesterday for her father. And, selfishly, she had wanted time to get to know Dante, and hadn’t wanted to put a spike in that either.
And now? What did she want now?
To get through this, and for Dante to accept treatment.
He was perfectly entitled to send her home.
What would be the point in that? Why delay his recovery when he had a therapist on hand? She would be on the estancia to see the horses settled, so he might as well accept treatment. Even Dante Acosta wasn’t superhuman.
He just looked that way...smelled that way...acted that way—
‘Excuse me, señorita...?’
It was the cabin attendant again. Jess looked up and smiled. ‘Yes?’
‘Señor Acosta is waiting in the dining room.’
‘I’ll be right there.’
Jess’s mouth dried. Did Dante’s summons herald a reprieve, or was she about to receive her marching orders? Pausing only to smooth her hair and firm her jaw, she set off to confront the wolf in his lair.
* * *
Dante had seated himself at the head of a full-sized dining table, where he was ravenously devouring a baguette and cheese. When Jess walked in he looked up briefly. Indicating ‘Sit’ with a jerk of his chin, he swiped a linen napkin across his mouth. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘A little,’ she admitted.
The look Jess was giving him suggested she couldn’t deal with so much charm. Tough. He wasn’t about to sugar-coat his manner for someone who had kept vital information from him.
‘Eat,’ he rapped, ‘and then we’ll talk.’
‘That sounds ominous.’
Ignoring her comment, he finished his food and swilled it down with a large glass of water.
Jess made no attempt to take anything from the laden platters in front of her. ‘Do you want something else?’ he probed, frowning. ‘If you do, ask.’
She looked uncomfortable. ‘I don’t want to put anyone to any trouble.’
‘Really?’ he said, sitting back. Keeping his stare fixed on Jess, he waved the attendants away and reached for some fruit.
‘I’m not here to eat,’ she insisted. ‘You wanted to talk to me.’
He shrugged.
‘You think I’ve taken advantage,’ she stated tensely.
‘That’s exactly what I think,’ he agreed.
‘I’m sorry you feel that way.’
He held up a hand. ‘Don’t be. We’re not so different, you and I. Why shouldn’t you seize an opportunity? I would have done exactly the same thing.’
Her frown deepened. ‘So...?’
‘So we’re complicated.’ Easing his shoulders, he stared at her. ‘Do I have to put something on a plate and feed you myself?’
Her eyes darkened. ‘No, I’m—’
‘Fine?’ he suggested.
‘Yes.’
‘Relax, Jess. I have the greatest admiration for the caring profession. You should have told me from the start, but it’s done. You’re here. Now you have to put your manner of telling me behind you, as I do.’
‘I didn’t mean to deceive you. I just want to help.’
‘My leg’s aching,’ he admitted. ‘Why shouldn’t you help? Grapes and cheese?’
She looked bemused for a moment, but then she relaxed. ‘Thank you. I am hungry, and that would be good. I know I haven’t made the best of starts, but I will make up for it.’
She certainly would, he thought.
* * *
The cheese was delicious and Dante was too. He was such a distraction she had trouble remembering important things, like why she was here and what she had come to do. He’d showered and his hair was still damp. It curled in thick black whorls that caught on his stubble. His earring glinted in the overhead lights, while the scent of lemons and something woody surrounded him. On home territory Dante was relaxed, wearing just a loosely belted robe after his shower. When he moved she caught glimpses of his tattoos...an edge of the snarling wolf across his heart and, when he turned to pour another glass of water, a glimpse of the skull and cross mallets tattooed across the back of his neck. How was she supposed to make easy conversation with all that going on?
‘Eat up—take more,’ he insisted. ‘From what you’ve told me, I’ll be working you hard.’
Jess’s throat tightened. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
‘If my treatment can’t wait, I’m sure you’re eager to begin,’ he suggested dryly, with a long amused yet challenging look.
‘Yes, of course,’ she agreed in a voice turned dry.
‘You have access to my medical history?’
‘Scans, X-rays and a full set of notes,’ she confirmed.
‘Then there’s no reason why you can’t start right away. We’re not going anywhere until this aircraft lands, so you might as well make a start. As you can see,’ he added lazily, playing her like a minnow on the end of his rod, ‘I dressed with that in mind.’
The thought of laying hands on Dante’s body sent Jess’s heart into a spin. Would she ever be ready to do that? She was a professional, with a job to do. Of course she could do it.
‘I’m happy to start your treatment right now,’ she said evenly.
It wasn’t just Dante’s sporting future she was holding in the palm of her hand, Jess realised. She wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t understand the boost her CV would receive if
Dante’s treatment resulted in him returning to world class polo.
‘Second thoughts?’ he suggested.
‘None.’
‘Then...’ Dante was viewing her with amused eyes, as if he knew every thought in her head. ‘You’ll need a firm surface to work on, I presume?’
‘Correct,’ she confirmed.
‘I’ll make sure you have one. We will begin in half an hour.’
‘That’s good timing,’ she agreed. ‘You should digest your food first.’
‘It will also give you chance to examine all the reasons you chose to come to Spain.’
‘I have a contract,’ she countered swiftly. ‘And the lower deck of your aircraft is full of ponies that mean the world to me and my father.’
One of Dante’s sweeping ebony brows lifted. ‘You have an answer for everything, señorita. We will soon see if you have a solution for my damaged leg.’
