The Rich Man's Reluctant Mistress

‘I see,’ she said, but she didn’t, and if her stepfather was right in his declaration that Zane Alexander was a playboy then this was just going to be another place set up for that purpose. All of a sudden the job didn’t seem like such a good idea.

‘What’s wrong?’ His eyes narrowed on hers, trying to see into her mind, to guess at the thoughts that had suddenly disturbed her.

‘Nothing,’ she said, trying her hardest to keep her unease at bay.

‘In that case, let me offer you a drink.’ He gave a nod to one of his attendants and immediately crystal flutes of champagne were produced. Zane held his up towards her. ‘Here’s to a successful business relationship.’ Those were his words but not what his eyes told her. They were intent, boring into her soul, reading her, almost telling her what sort of a relationship he hoped to have with her.

Almost but not quite!

Nevertheless something stirred in Lucinda’s stomach. She clamped it down firmly, lifting her chin instead, returning his gaze with a firm one of her own. ‘To business.’

The champagne slid coolly down her throat, fizzing quietly in her stomach, joining the apprehension. Maybe she ought to have realised that this job would be like no other. Maybe she ought to have considered the danger instead of jumping at the opportunity of adding to her portfolio.

Too late now! They were well and truly on their way.

If she had expected that Zane would spend the whole journey chatting to her she was wrong. ‘Please excuse me, I have work to do,’ he announced after he had finished his drink. ‘Just relax and enjoy the flight.’

In truth Zane knew that he had to keep away from Lucinda. He found her truly exciting and it was going to take all of his not inconsiderable willpower to resist her. She had given every indication that she wanted a strictly business relationship and if he didn’t want to frighten her away before she had even started the job he must respect that and keep his feelings well hidden.

Nevertheless it would be interesting to find out what made her tick. To see whether there were any cracks in her armour. He might even stay on the island longer than he had originally planned!

He smiled at the thought and then concentrated on his paperwork. At least he tried to concentrate, but in reality his mind was with the stunning Titian-haired woman sitting just the other side of the partition. She was as nervous as hell and he could hardly blame her. She was flying thousands of miles with a stranger. She had put her faith and trust in him.

Again he tried to concentrate but within a few minutes he gave up and joined her. She’d had her glass refilled and was scanning the skies and when he sat down she turned with a smile. ‘I love cloudscapes, don’t you?’

He’d never really thought about it. And even now he didn’t want to look out the window, he wanted to feast his eyes on his beautiful companion. ‘I must confess I rarely study the sky.’

‘You’re always too busy.’

It was almost an accusation. However, he inclined his head and said nothing.

‘Have you finished what you were doing?’

‘I didn’t think it fair to leave you here alone.’

Green eyes looked scathingly into his. ‘And I’m supposed to believe that? A man who can offload an upset little nephew on to a complete stranger won’t think twice about leaving someone who’s simply doing a job for him alone. Go to your work; I don’t need you with me.’

Strong words. He admired her for it but it didn’t please him.

For the rest of the flight Zane left Lucinda strictly alone. She had seen his displeasure at her outburst, his face turning thunderous when she reminded him of his behaviour, but she wasn’t sorry and felt immense relief when he returned to his little office area.

Now they were nearing their destination. Below them the sea was a glorious turquoise and when the Windward Islands came into view Lucinda gasped with pleasure. As they lost height she could see long white beaches and lush green hinterland and when they finally landed on St Lucia she had forgotten her resentment and turned to Zane with a smile wide enough to split her face in two. ‘It looks fantastic. I can’t believe I’ve come here to work. It’s like a dream.’

Zane’s face lost some of its hardness. ‘It is indeed very beautiful and it will be my pleasure to show you around.’ But his voice was businesslike and Lucinda didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

They were met by a car and driver and whisked away to a spacious single-storey home that sat on a promontory miles away from any other dwelling. Mindful that they were here on business, Zane gave her a whistle-stop tour of the house and Lucinda felt like a child in paradise. The furnishings were shabby, the paintwork peeling, but it had tremendous potential and Lucinda could see why Zane had bought it.

The rooms were large and airy; it really needed not much more than a lick of paint and some new furniture. She could hardly believe that he was paying her to organise so little. Not that she was complaining. This was an opportunity too good to miss.

The only fly in the ointment, as far as she could see, was that they would be living here together. It troubled her deeply and she knew that she would need to be on her guard at all times.

Outside she discovered a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi and they ended their tour on the sun deck, where they were able to watch the antics of a brilliantly coloured parrot in one of the many trees growing in the steeply sloping garden. ‘So,’ said Zane, turning to her, ‘what do you think now that you’ve seen it all?’

Lucinda smiled broadly; she couldn’t help it. ‘I think it’s wonderful. How did you find such a place?’ Far below was a bay dotted with boats and, even though the day was hot, at this height there was a most welcome mountain breeze.

‘It used to belong to a colleague of mine,’ answered Zane. ‘He nursed his wife through a long illness and I’m afraid everything got neglected. When she died he had no interest in it.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Lucinda. ‘Have you stayed here yet?’

Zane shook his head and a wicked twinkle sparked in his eyes. ‘You have the honour of sharing my pleasure.’

Sharing! Lucinda wasn’t sure that she liked his choice of word. And, even though he’d had the foresight to have two bedrooms made habitable, she had noticed that there were no locks on the doors.

‘What are you thinking?’ he asked, noticing her frown.

Lucinda shook her head, not wishing to reveal her fears.

‘If it will make you feel any better, you have my word that I won’t enter your space.’

Which was one way of putting it, she thought. But what happened if she entered his? They would be living in such close proximity that she could hardly avoid him. She knew that she had to trust Zane, but somehow those wicked blue eyes didn’t invite trust.

‘Perhaps you’re afraid of being tempted to stray into my room?’ he suggested casually.

Lucinda’s eyes flashed and she ignored the hot streak through her veins. ‘You are unbelievable, Zane Alexander. I’ve made it clear how I feel about you.’

‘But are you sure you know how you feel?’ he asked.

Lucinda moved away, not wishing to take part in such a conversation. And then she felt a hand on her arm and a ripple of pleasurable heat where his fingers touched. Intense heat! Burning heat!

She found herself looking into smouldering blue depths, close enough to see the attractive dark line around his irises, the clear whites, the amazing length of his lashes. They were quite magnificent eyes for a man and she was mesmerised by them. She felt them drawing her in, feeding a need inside her that she had not known was there.

After Simon she had felt nothing for any man and had been determined to keep it that way. Why then was this particular man affecting her to such an extent that she wanted to turn tail and run? She gritted her teeth and said the first thing that came into her head. ‘Which bedroom is mine?’

A mere flicker suggested that he knew the fight she’d had, but there was nothing in his voice to confirm it. ‘Let’s go and look, shall we?’

Both of the bedrooms had fabulous views over the bay, each with its own en suite bathroom. ‘The choice is yours,’ said Zane.

The house was kept cool by an ancient air-conditioning system that creaked and groaned and definitely needed replacing. But the warmth on the back of her neck had nothing to do with it not running properly. It was Zane standing far too close for comfort.

She stepped further into the room. ‘I’ll take this one,’ she announced. It was the second one along the hallway. Zane would have no need to walk past it. Small comfort, but better than nothing.

There were four bedrooms altogether, each with beautiful high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, which allowed them to fill with light. Zane could host a whole harem of girls here, thought Lucinda, and then despised herself for such unworthy thoughts.

‘In that case I’ll get your suitcase brought in,’ said Zane.

He did more than that. A maid appeared as if from nowhere and unpacked their cases and in no time a buffet meal and chilled drinks had been placed on a table outside in the shade.

Lucinda helped herself to aubergine and peppers in a sweet and sour sauce and smoked mahi mahi served with crispy potato and onion. She slowly sipped pineapple juice before finally admitting she could eat no more.