Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire(54)

When she came out on the terrace, the sun was setting, turning the sea to gold and red. Luc was nowhere in sight, and she wandered down toward the pool. It seemed to be balanced on the cliff’s edge, and she peered over. Below, at the foot of the cliff was a small cove, a horseshoe of golden sand, and it was here that she caught sight of Luc. He had also showered, his hair was damp, and he’d changed into a pair of loose drawstring trousers and a white linen shirt that hung open, the sleeves rolled up over tanned forearms. He sat on the sand staring out to sea, but something must have alerted him to her presence because he glanced up as she stood above him. He rose gracefully to his feet and turned to face her, desire flaring to life in his eyes.

Lia found the small path that led to the cove. She followed it down, kicking off her sandals as she came to the sand, finally coming to a halt in front of him.

He reached out and stroked a strand of her hair, which she had left hanging loose to her shoulders. “You look beautiful, Lia.”

She allowed her eyes to wander over him, the lean lines of his body, the stark beauty of his face. “So do you,” she said, and it was true.



He smiled. “Come and sit.”

Taking her by the hand, he led her close to where the sea met the land. He sank down and tugged her hand so she collapsed onto the warm, silky sand. He didn’t say a word for a while, and Lia sat in silence gazing out at the vast expanse of water, breathing in the salt tang of the air. There was something magical about the sea, and she allowed it to sooth her. What Luc had done was wrong. He had no right to try to manipulate her in any way, but the fact was, the outcome was such that she couldn’t stay angry. She was here, in this gorgeous place with Luc at her side, and for once, he seemed relaxed.

Lia allowed herself a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere then turned to Luc. “What do you want from me?”

He returned her gaze, his face free from expression so she had no clue what was going through his mind. “You know what I want. I want you.”

The time for pretense was over. “You didn’t have to go to all this bother. You must have known you could have me. I thought I made that embarrassingly clear the night of the party. So why bring me here?”

“I wanted to get away from London. This seemed like a good idea.”

She shook her head. “Forget about me for a moment. Didn’t you think about what that article would mean to Mike? What will it be like for him when he has to go back to school?”



“No, the truth is I didn’t, and for that I’m sorry. Look, Lia, I was wrong, but I’m used to going after what I want, and I wanted you.” He shook his head. “Besides, I honestly presumed it was common knowledge. You forget I was brought up in an environment where a criminal record was the norm, almost something to be proud of. I believed it was the same for you.”

“You never knew my mother,” she said bitterly. She sighed. “Let’s forget it. I’m here, and it’s beautiful. Let’s just forget what happened. But don’t do it again.”

He picked up her hand from where it lay on the sand. Raising it to his lips, he kissed the center of her palm. Her skin tingled where he touched it, and her blood started a slow, steady thump in her veins. She curled her fingers around the kiss as though she could hold it forever.

“Do you want to make love, Lia?”

His voice was low and dark and made her ears tingle. “What?” She was finding it hard to make sense of his words.

He raised her hand again and dropped light kisses on the sensitive skin of her wrist. Shivers of sensation ran through her.

“This time, I want your full agreement. I won’t be accused of seduction,” he said against her arm.

Oh God, the feel of his lips against her skin was amazing. Heat trickled through her body to pool in a warm, wet puddle at the base of her belly. She shook her head slightly, trying to get her brain to function through the waves of heated desire. “Too late,” she said, “I’m already seduced.


“You’re sure you want this?”

She wanted to scream at him. Wasn’t it obvious she wanted it? She satisfied herself with a glare and an abrupt nod, and he laughed softly.

He stood up and reached out a hand. “Come on then.”

She stared up at him, looming above her. His shirt hung open, and the trousers hung low on his hips, baring his lean, flat belly, and below she could see his erection pushing at the material. Her mouth went dry, and she licked her lips. Taking his hand, she allowed him to pull her to her feet.

“Can’t we stay here?” she asked. “It’s so beautiful.”