But I wonder at the cost.
This was her marital home; they lived here together for a long time. How can she walk within these four walls and not confront that loss daily? I upped and left the second I lost Layla. Anything to cut myself off from the past, start afresh and forget.
‘Why do you live here?’ I say into the strained quiet.
She stiffens so I know she hears me, but...nothing.
I walk up to her. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t even know why I said it.’
Only I do. But to an outsider it’s the strangest question in the world. Why wouldn’t you choose to live in such a glorious haven from the bustling city outside when you can afford to do so?
‘And yet you asked it?’ She looks at me, brows pinched together, her eyes seeing far too much, and I look away. What can I say to that?
I asked because when I was in her position I didn’t have the courage to stay. I didn’t have the strength to face my past, day in, day out, and be okay. I asked because I think she’s mad to do so.
Does it make her stronger than me on some level? Stronger and yet more damaged, because all the adventure she’s pursuing smacks of a downward spiral that I’ve been asked to bring to an end.
‘You sure I can’t get you a drink? You look like you need one as much as me now.’
I startle, aware that there’s so much in my face, so much that I don’t want her to see. ‘I don’t drink.’
‘You don’t drink...? What, ever?’
‘No.’
‘Okay.’ She drawls it out and her eyes remain fixed on me, too curious, too aware. ‘Care to talk about it?’
‘About what?’ I’m playing dumb, but getting that personal with her is a bad, bad move.
‘Whatever’s got you looking like that?’
‘No.’
She makes a soft sigh into her glass and goes back to looking at the view outside. ‘Well, that makes two of us.’
‘Agreed.’ Though I want her to talk about it. I want to know what she’s thinking. I want to know what makes her tick. I want to help her, just as Alan and the board want me to help her. I want to get her back to how she was...
‘But there are other things we could do...’ Her eyes slide to me and hell, if I don’t let mine slide to her. ‘Things far more fun.’
It’s like being on a rollercoaster...no, the waltzer...the dizzying speed with which she flips from seductress, to spurned, to pained, to professional, and hell, I can’t keep up and I know it’s all part and parcel of where her head is at.
‘Seriously, Olivia, you need to kill the innuendo. We’re going to be working together.’
‘But too much work makes Valentine a very, very, dull boy.’
She pouts at me and the two personas are merging. Olivia Carmel, the renowned businesswoman, philanthropist and icon. And the sexy, no-holds-barred woman who was on her knees, her nipples clamped, her skin flushed with lust.
‘Spoilsport.’ The tease erupts, her eyes burning into my lips and I force myself to stay on task.
‘So, are we okay?’
She shakes her head, a smile dancing on her lips. ‘Answer me one thing. Job aside, if you’d been at the club that night as just another party-goer, would you have joined us in that room?’
I swallow. I won’t lie. ‘Yes.’
Not that she can know the true significance. That it would have brought an end to four years of celibacy, of being content living that way.
Content?
I think about the last four weeks, the tangled bedsheets, the restless energy, the incessant thrum when I’m in her presence. It’s hardly content.
‘Then we’re okay,’ she murmurs.
I close my eyes briefly, calm the rush inside.
‘Good.’ Poker face on. ‘So I can count on your cooperation from here on in?’
Her smile lifts to one side as her eyes sparkle. ‘You can count on me not letting our first encounter get in the way of doing the right thing for the business and the charity.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I’ll listen to what you advise and make my own decision.’
‘Right. Okay.’ I think.
‘But I’m no pushover, Valentine,’ she carries on. ‘You’ll need to convince me that your way is the right way.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘And while you’re at it, don’t expect me to play fair.’
My frown is instant. ‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I want you, and when I want something these days, I stop at nothing until I get it.’
Shit. It shouldn’t turn me on. My heart shouldn’t be racing. My cock shouldn’t twitch. ‘I should go.’
Her mouth quirks at the corner. ‘Running away again, Valentine?’
‘If you want to see it that way.’ I’m already heading for the door. ‘We have a meeting first thing tomorrow. I’ll present my PR strategy for the next few weeks then.’
‘That quick, hey?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh, goodie, I can’t wait.’
Can’t wait? Jesus.
My entire body is thrumming. Reawakened. Needy. Lustful. Taken over by her energy, her blatant desire—her, just her.
‘Neither can I,’ I say to her door as I let myself out.
Neither can I...
CHAPTER SIX
Olivia
‘YOU’VE DONE WHAT?’
I stare at Valentine across my desk and blink once, twice for good measure, and still feel like I can’t have heard him right. For twelve months I’ve been free and now my wings are being clipped. And all by some upstart who would’ve been in nappies while I was graduating with first class honours from Oxford.
‘I’ve arranged a dinner for Thursday night. There are people I’d like you to meet, politicians who can add weight to your charity agenda, influential people who—’
‘No, I got that, but Saturday, you said...?’
He flicks his navy tie out and settles back into his chair, too sure of himself and what he has to say. His pristine hair is combed back in what must be a blow-dried quiff. His face is closely shaven, not a blemish in sight, save for the scar through his eyebrow that
