Never Gamble with a Caffarelli(32)

‘Yes, well, it’s probably the last thing on your mind, but I’m starving. I need food and I need it now.’

Angelique rolled one shoulder haughtily. ‘Why are men at the mercy of their basest desires?’

He gave her a glinting look. ‘Why do women deny their needs as if it’s something to be ashamed of? It’s not wrong to feel hungry or horny. It’s completely natural.’

‘You know something?’ She frowned at him. ‘I’ve always really hated that word.’

‘What, hungry?’

‘Horny. It’s sounds...I don’t know. Coarse.’

A mocking smile angled his mouth. ‘So underneath that brash, streetwise exterior is a sweet old-fashioned girl? Don’t make me laugh.’

Angelique glared at him. ‘You don’t know me. Not the real me.’ No one knows the real me.

He tucked her arm through one of his as he led her into the restaurant. ‘Maybe now’s a good time to start.’

Dining out for Angelique was like sharing a room with Remy—full of wicked temptation. Being tired and emotionally out of sorts made it much harder for her to rely on her steely resolve to keep to her strict diet. Just like kissing or touching Remy, one taste was enough to throw caution to the wind. Making love with him had changed everything. It was like trying to eat one peanut or one French fry: it was impossible; she would always want more. More of him. All of him. But how could she have him when he didn’t want this arrangement to last any longer than it took to seal his latest business coup?

The Caffarelli brothers—before Rafe had married and Raoul had become engaged—had written the rulebook for rakes. Of the three of them, Remy had the worst reputation for the rate of turnover of partners. He had never had a relationship last more than a week or two.

But then, why would he?

He was spoilt for choice. Women adored him and flocked about him like bees around blossom. He was never in one place longer than a week at a time, which of course made it easy for him to be casual about his hook-ups.

Did he ever want more than just sex? Did he ever think about the companionship and loyalty his brothers were now experiencing? Did he think about the promise of stability and a love that would last through good times and bad? To have someone to share the bond of children with, to watch as they grew from babies to children to adulthood? To love and protect them, nurture them and teach them how to be good, trustworthy citizens?

Angelique’s brow furrowed as she looked down at the menu. Instead of the words printed there, she started to picture a tiny baby with a shock of jet-black hair and big brown eyes fringed with dark lashes.

Remy said he didn’t want children.

She had said the same. Many times.

But it wasn’t quite true...

‘By the way.’ Remy looked up from the menu he was perusing. ‘We are not leaving this restaurant until I’ve seen you eat something. Understood?’

Angelique’s back prickled. ‘I have to think of my figure, especially now.’

‘Why especially now?’

She gave him an imperious look. ‘You’re not the only one getting a ratings boost from our marriage.’

He cocked his head in interest. ‘Oh, really?’

‘My manager is firming up a new contract for me to consider. Once I sign it, I’m going to be booked up for months and months.’

‘Tell them to wait. Tell them you’re not available until after Christmas. I want you with me for the next month or two at the very least.’

Angelique felt her heart give a little skip at the thought of him wanting her with him but then she remembered his precious business deal. He wanted her for show, not for her.

It was an act.

A game of charades.

Even though technically she was free to be with him while her manager negotiated the schedule, she resented him arrogantly assuming she would drop everything just because he told her to.

She was not going to be ordered about by him.

‘Do you really think you can just march into my life and take control as if I have no mind or will of my own?’

He gave her a knowing look. ‘I didn’t come marching into your life. You came blundering into mine. Now it’s time for you to take responsibility for it.’

‘By following you around like a stupid little lapdog?’ She gave an exaggerated shudder of distaste before curling her lip at him. ‘I don’t think so.’

His mouth flattened and his eyes flashed her a warning. ‘You will do as I say or I’ll take everything off your father. Do you hear me? Everything. There won’t be a penny left for you to inherit once I’m done with him. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’