In the Brazilian's Debt(26)

                ‘Don’t tell me you’re not coming?’

                ‘I’m not coming,’ Lizzie stated flatly. She was safer where she was. Sleeping with a man as ruthless as Chico Fernandez could only end badly. And she didn’t deserve a party after making such a stupid beginner’s mistake. It could have led to her pony being injured.

                ‘So, what are you going to do while we’re at the party enjoying ourselves?’

                Lizzie threw an arm across her face. ‘Nothing, and then I’m going to check on the horses.’

                ‘Chico has hired some outside staff especially to do that, so think again, Cinderella.’

                ‘I have a letter to write to my grandmother.’ Lizzie had rung Annie, the housekeeper at Rottingdean, who had reassured her that her grandmother was doing well, and would be up and about in no time—which Lizzie took to be a euphemism for, ‘There’s nothing you can do here, so make a success of that course.’

                ‘Use email,’ Danny insisted, distracting her. ‘Just as effective and twice as fast.’

                ‘And half as personal,’ Lizzie argued.

                ‘You’ll miss out.’

                ‘I don’t think so.’

                ‘Okay, I want you to come to the party so we can celebrate together. You’re our captain, Lizzie. You can’t stay away. And if that doesn’t clinch the deal, I haven’t had a chance to thank you properly for stopping Chico throwing me out on my ear.’

                ‘You don’t need to thank me. You deserve your place here.’ Sitting up, Lizzie ruffled her hair. ‘You’re right. I should be celebrating with the team, not moping around.’

                ‘So, what are you going to wear?’

                ‘I’m going exactly as I am.’

                ‘In jeans?’

                Lizzie’s answer was to run a hand through her hair. ‘Look—I even had my hair done.’

                ‘You could put on some make-up.’

                ‘And look as if I’m trying too hard?’ That was not what she wanted Chico to think.

                ‘All right, have it your way,’ Danny conceded. ‘Lip gloss, maybe?’

                ‘No.’

                ‘Eye shadow, or a spritz of scent?’

                Danny got the same answer each time—and though she was fast, Lizzie was faster, and, leaping over the bed, she managed to dodge out of reach as Danny brandished a bottle of scent.

                * * *

                Lizzie looked amazing, and he had to thank Danny for getting her to come down to the party. But it wasn’t Danny who held his attention, but Lizzie, who was a real little Miss Prim in her smart jeans, clean shirt and trainers. He’d grown to like the look. It was sexy on Lizzie and made him want a repeat of their heated kiss, and to hell with the past. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sparkling with laughter as the teams gathered round to tease her about her acrobatic performance on the polo field, and to congratulate her on leading the grooms’ team to a draw. She played this down. He liked that too. He liked her, though it suited him to remain aloof for now. They had a lot to talk about before he could relax the way he wanted to with Lizzie. He waited until Tiago put a glass of wine in front of her and then he made his move.