He’d absolutely sold her on the idea that he wanted to buy the land for personal use. It hadn’t been a corporation name on the closing documents. It had been his and only his. Rafael de Luca. And she’d believed him when he’d said he’d be back. That he loved her. That he wanted them to be together.
She was so deeply humiliated over her stupidity that she couldn’t bear to think about it. Now, when she’d come to New York to confront Rafael over his lies, she was confronted by his extraordinary claim that he’d lost his memory. It was so damn convenient.
But she couldn’t help whispering, “Please let him be telling the truth.” Because if he was, then maybe the rest wasn’t as bad as she thought. And that probably made her an even bigger moron than she’d already proved herself to be.
When she got off the elevator, there was a reception desk directly in front of her. As Bryony walked up, the receptionist smiled. “Do you have an appointment?”
An appointment? It took her a moment to collect herself and then she nodded. “Rafael is expecting me.”
Her voice sounded too husky and too unsure, but the receptionist didn’t seem to notice.
“Are you Miss Morgan?”
Bryony nodded.
“Right this way. Mr. de Luca asked that you be shown right in. Would you like some tea or coffee?” With a glance down at Bryony’s belly, she added, “We have decaf if you prefer.”
Bryony smiled. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
The receptionist opened a door, and Rafael looked up from his desk. “Mr. de Luca, Miss Morgan is here.”
Rafael rose and strode forward. “Thank you, Tamara.”
“Is there anything you’d like me to get for you?” Tamara inquired politely.
Rafael shook his head. “See that I’m not disturbed.”
Tamara nodded and retreated, closing the door behind her.
Bryony stared at Rafael, such a short distance away. She could smell him he was so close. She was at a complete loss as to how to act around him now. She could no longer maintain the outraged, jilted-lover act because if he couldn’t remember her, he couldn’t very well be blamed for acting as though she didn’t exist for the past months.
But neither could she just take up where they’d left off and throw herself into his arms.
The result was tension so thick and awkward that it made her want to fidget out of her shoes.
He stared at her. She stared at him. One would never guess that they’d made a child together.
Rafael sighed. “Before this goes any further, there is something I have to do.”
Her brows came together and then lifted when he took a step toward her.
“What?” she asked.
He cupped her face and stepped forward again until their bodies were aligned and his heat—and scent—enveloped her.
“I have to kiss you.”
Four
Bryony took a wary step back but Rafael was determined that she wouldn’t escape him. He caught her shoulders and pulled her almost roughly against him, swallowing up her light gasp just before his lips found hers in a heated rush.
He wasn’t entirely certain what he’d expected to happen. Fireworks? His memory miraculously restored? Images of those missing weeks to flash into his head like a slide show?
None of that happened, but what did shocked the hell out of him.
His body roared to life. Every muscle tensed in instant awareness. Desire and lust coiled tight in his belly and he became achingly hard.
And hell, but she was responsive. After her initial resistance, she melted into his chest and returned his kiss with equal fervor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly, her lush curves molded perfectly to his body. A body that was screaming for him to pin her to the desk and slake his lust.
He pulled back as awareness returned. For the love of God, what was he thinking? She was pregnant with his child, he couldn’t remember her and yet he was ready to tear both of their clothes off and damn the consequences.
Well, at least she couldn’t get pregnant again…?.
He ran a hand through his hair and turned away, his heart thudding out of control and his breaths blowing in ragged spurts from his nose.
Not his type? He shook his head. He’d never met a woman in his life with whom he shared such combustible chemistry.
When he turned back around, Bryony stood there looking dazed, her lips swollen and her eyes soft and fuzzy. It was all he could do not to haul her back into his arms to finish what he’d started.
“I’m sorry,” he began before breaking off. “I just had to know.”
Her eyes sharpened and the haze lifted away. “Know what?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in agitation as she stared him down.