Secret Paradise

“How like a woman to be deceitful,” Lucian said, tossing another shirt aside.

“She didn’t mean to deceive anyone. I know I should have told you about her sooner, but this is a good thing. I think she can help you.”

“Help me?” Lucian’s voice cracked in surprise. “I don’t need help.” He checked his reflection again.

“You’ve done the buttons wrong.”

Lucian scowled. “I know that.”

Basilio smiled, trying not to laugh. “She’s really gotten you rattled.”

“I’m not rattled.”

Basilio glanced at the bed. “Then how come you’ve gone through four shirts? You don’t usually care what you look like.”

Lucian tucked in his shirt, then smoothed down his hair. “I just want to make a good impression. My first one was—”

“A shock?”

“Unfortunate,” Lucian corrected.

“I don’t think you can undo a first impression.”

“I can try.”

“I haven’t seen you respond to a woman like that since—” He stopped, not wanting to bring up the past and Alana. “Not that I blame you. She’s an attractive woman. I could imagine getting my leg over that.”

“She’s engaged. I saw the ring.”

“Before or after you kissed her?”

Color swept into Lucian’s cheeks. “I’ll have to apologize about that. Perhaps I should send flowers to her room and add a diamond necklace.”

“She’ll see that as an insult.”

“I thought women liked diamonds.”

“That’s not the point. You don’t need to worry about the ring. It doesn’t mean much.”

“How do you know?”

“I know women, and the way you kissed her, I’m surprised she didn’t slap you.”

“It’s only because she knew who I was. She was being polite.”

“No, she wasn’t being polite. She liked it.”

Lucian’s face lit up. “Really?” He held up his hand before his brother could respond. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. I don’t want her here. I’ve had enough trouble with designers, and things become more complicated when it comes to friends. Get rid of her.”

“She likes you.”

“Stop saying that.”

“It’s true.”

“I’m not interested. She belongs to another man and I’ve learned my lesson. Most women can’t be trusted. Especially ones who wear one man’s ring and allow another to kiss them.”

“Like you said, maybe she was just being polite.”

Lucian frowned but didn’t reply.

“Okay, aside from your first meeting, don’t ignore this opportunity. You need to move on. Those empty rooms are a symbol of what happened. You need to think about the future.”

“Why?”

“At least think about Callia.”

“When I’m gone, she can design those rooms any way she wants.”

“At least let Nikki try one room. It shouldn’t take more than two weeks and then she’ll be gone. Just two weeks and she’ll be gone for good. No problem. We’ll all get what we want.”

“You think one room will take only two weeks?”

“I told you she’s good. It may be even less.” Basilio held out his hand. “Do we have a deal?”

Lucian sighed. “Fine. One room, then she goes.”

Someone knocked.

“Come in,” Lucian said.

Dante Andreas, Lucian’s butler, entered. He sent Basilio a careless look, then focused on Lucian. Basilio didn’t like him. He knew he was more than just a butler, but still wasn’t sure of all his duties. He was only a few years older than Basilio, but seemed decades so. His nationality was Italian, but his appearance—tightly curled hair and dark skin—hinted at a heritage that spread far beyond those shores. At times Basilio envied the close bond he and Lucian had.

“I have Ms. Rozan waiting in the main room.”

“Fine.” Lucian looked at his brother. “Tell her I’ll meet her there.”

Basilio nodded. “Okay.”

“And stop grinning. You haven’t won yet.”

“But I’m getting close,” Basilio said, then strolled out of the room.

Dante closed the door once Basilio was gone. “She’s an unexpected complication.”

Lucian pounded his cane in exasperation. “Don’t I know it.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t aware of what your brother was up to.”