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‘How many lovers have you had?’ he asked in the next breath.
‘Perhaps you didn’t hear me—’
‘I heard you. Answer my question.’
She stared back at him, the need to challenge burning inside her. ‘You go first,’ she said, knowing it would put an end to the absurd line of questioning.
He gave her a number. A number much lower than she’d anticipated. ‘Close your mouth, Suki. Not everything you read in the papers is accurate. In fact I’ll stake my fortune on the fact that ninety per cent of what’s said about me is false. Now, it’s your turn.’
She closed her mouth, knowing the number she was about to reveal would scream her woeful inexperience. ‘Two,’ she muttered.
An expression sparked through his eyes, gone far too quickly for her to decode. ‘Two?’ he pressed.
‘Yes.’
When he continued to regard her with probing eyes, she dropped her gaze. He caught her chin, redirected her gaze to his. ‘Including me?’
She jerked out a nod, then pulled away. She was a touch surprised when he released her. ‘Including you.’
‘Was the other a long-term boyfriend?’ he demanded.
Dear God...
‘No, a very brief, very much regretted one-time thing that was over almost before it started.’ Setting back her empty plate, she stood. ‘There, are we done with the questions? Can I go now?’
He rose beside her, immediately towering over her. Even in her heels, she didn’t come up to his shoulders. Recalling how overwhelmed she’d been, how much more fragile being in his arms had felt that night when she’d invited him to her bedroom, she took a hasty step back.
He saw the action and his lips thinned.
Scattered around them were the papers and files of her life, reminders of the reason Ramon Acosta had brought her here. Reminders of what she’d agreed to do. The apprehension that hadn’t quite died rose again.
‘If you’re thinking of changing your mind about this, you’re wasting your time,’ he warned softly, accurately reading her thoughts.
She sucked in a breath. The tiny wisps of amusement that had briefly lightened their simple meal were gone.
‘I gave you my word, Ramon. And I meant it. I know what’s at stake here.’
Dark satisfaction glinted in his eyes, giving her a glimpse of the ruthless streak that had made him the powerful man he was today. He’d done his homework, searched out her weak points and presented her with an unbreakable deal.
He waited until she’d retrieved her bag before he led her from the study.
The multi-arched hallway leading to the giant entry turned out to be one of several. Even while her mind grappled with her current situation, the interior designer in her was bowled over by the stunning architecture of Ramon’s villa.
Large swathes of baroque had been blended with surprising Moorish designs that should have been out of place here, but oddly complemented the building. Along the upper parts of the walls and windows, over two dozen shades of stained glass let in multi-coloured light. Suki wasn’t aware her steps had slowed to a halt until he retraced his back to her.
She’d been too distracted to take in more than a glimpse of the majestic stonemasonry of the villa from the outside, but now she was up close, she couldn’t resist, reaching out to trace her hand over salmon-coloured carvings set into the nearest arch. ‘How old is this place?’
‘The original building is fifteenth century. It’s been altered a few times since then, hence the eclectic nature of the architecture,’ he replied.
She nodded. Wanted to ask more. But she wasn’t here for a guided tour into the past.
No. Her presence here was all about the future. Advancing the progeny of the Acosta family.
Her hand dropped from the wall, her senses lurching in wild alarm again at the enormous responsibility she’d undertaken. With a touch of desperation, she pushed it to the back of her mind.
She wouldn’t think about it right now. She had more immediate hurdles to overcome. Like informing her mother of what she’d agreed to on her behalf. Like dealing with her boss.
The latter could wait a few more days. Her mother couldn’t.
