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‘That’s as may be,’ she said, ignoring a smile that bordered on long-suffering.

‘And this time of year? Christmas? Yes, it means nothing to me but it means something to a lot of people who live here. People who have families they treat, kids they want to buy presents for. I give substantial bonuses to all the retainers I employ who toil away here, even when there’s really no need for them to. That includes the two girls who come to clean and tidy the place when it’s already clean and tidy. The very ones who will think nothing of stacking the dishwasher and will appreciate that their service is being appreciated. They are not without their pride.’

‘Well…’

‘Well? What does well mean?’ Javier asked in an innocently puzzled voice. He relented and smiled at her with a genuine smile that made her feel worse than if he’d decided to pick a fight. ‘Look, you don’t want to do anything about this inconvenient situation that has arisen between us and frankly I don’t blame you.’

‘There’s no reason why you should.’

‘But part of your justification for that is to pigeonhole me as someone I’m not.’ He thought about that. ‘In fairness, I am incredibly rich, but I also aim to have a conscience, believe it or not. I’m not like the guys your mother got involved with.’

‘You’re still a commitment-phobe.’

‘But always honest when it comes to telling women that longevity doesn’t play a part in any relationship with me. Besides, why would that impact on anything between us?’

‘It doesn’t. It wouldn’t. Not that anything’s going to happen between us so it’s a…a…moot point.’

Hope frowned. She felt as though she might be straying into an ambush, but she couldn’t quite see where it might be. She’d just said what had to be said. Nothing was going to happen between them. Anything beyond that was pointless speculation.

‘Now that we’ve ended this on a moot point…’ Javier murmured with a straight face, ‘… I have an idea. Why don’t I take you into the town so that you can get a flavour of what Christmas here looks like? Take some photos and add them to the portfolio your mother might or might not ask to see? Then we can plan on leaving for St. Lucia tomorrow evening.’

‘I thought you hated all things Christmas?’

She saw the shutters drop and instantly regretted her jibe.

‘Okay. That sounds like fun,’ she said hurriedly.

‘Why don’t you go and do whatever you want to do until five-thirty? Then I’ll make sure my driver is here to ferry us into the town. I’ll catch up on work in the meantime.’

Their eyes met and for a moment, the air was sucked out of her as she struggled to break free of their locked gaze.

‘And no more will be said about what we discussed. Agreed?’

‘I couldn’t agree more.’

Hope looked down and mentally slammed the door on all her forbidden urges and perplexing, uncomfortable desires.

She had at most a handful of days left in his company and after that, she would return to the safety of what she knew.

* * *

The town was a mere half an hour away from Javier’s villa, yet he couldn’t recall ever having visited it. As the car edged closer, he almost wished he hadn’t suggested coming in the first place.

Christmas was in full swing.

His driver, the same one who had delivered them to the villa, was effusive with enthusiasm. He was excitedly giving them both a history lesson on the town which, it seemed, was at the heart of the Christmas celebrations for miles around.

The Colonial style buildings were festooned with lights and garlands and bows. In the centre of the town square stood an enormous Christmas tree that was so brightly lit it could have been visible from a spaceship.

‘Wow…’

Javier turned to Hope who was staring around her like a kid in a candy shop.

The cobblestone streets and the pavements were filled with people strolling in groups. The air was fragrant with the aromas of cinnamon, chocolate and all manner of food being prepared in the festive stalls that circled the square.

‘The driver recommended a decent restaurant not too far from the main square,’ Javier said, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘I could leave you to get on with the photo taking and grab us a table and wait for you.’

‘Come with me! Let’s have a look around together.’