The Billionaire Boss's Bride(44)

‘Though not by your sister, I hasten to assure you,’ Curtis addressed Lucy, who gave them both an odd little look from under her lashes. ‘So…’ he leaned back and relaxed ‘…I’ve heard enough about you. Tell me what you do, Lucy.’

Tessa butted in before this particular conversation could kick off. ‘Shouldn’t you be thinking of leaving, Curtis? I mean, taxis…Christmas…long wait…’

‘Oh, I’ll drop him back! If you’ll let me borrow your car, Tess. I can guarantee that the alcohol levels in my blood are non-existent, despite original plans.’ She giggled and Tessa frowned, not liking this suggestion but not really knowing how she could deflect the inevitable acceptance of the offer from Curtis.

Jealousy ate away like a poison and she knew why. Lucy was just the sort of girl Curtis went for.

When she tried to tell herself that he had slept with her, had made love to her, the little nasty voice she was becoming accustomed to reminded her that she had been the one to put temptation in his way, that he was a commitment-free zone who hadn’t once mentioned anything normal like, When shall we meet again? On a date? She, the little voice continued remorselessly, had wanted him because she felt more than mere physical attraction. He, on the other hand, was the same person who had felt sorry for her and still did.

In the middle of her protracted internal debates, she was aware of Curtis quizzing Lucy about her course, asking her a million questions about the kind of things she designed, on what she intended to do once she was through with college. As usual, intently curious, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his thighs, his amazing eyes focused on Lucy’s face as she spoke, his head inclined in the attitude of the avid listener. Pure animal magnetism flowed off him in waves. The sort of waves that women could easily drown in.

Lucy, enjoying the single-minded attention, was happily talking about Lucy and Tessa noticed that she seemed to be a heck of a lot more forthcoming about her possible future with him than she was with her. None of her usual vague ‘oh, I’ll just wait and see what happens when the course is finished’ nonsense. Oh, no. Apparently she had ideas of going into advertising! Starting at the bottom and working her way up the ladder!

Tessa sourly thought that a few magic words of interest from Curtis Diaz and suddenly her sister was a miracle of revelation.

‘I think I’ll be heading up now.’ She yawned and they both looked at her. ‘Sorry if I’m spoiling the party,’ she muttered and Curtis threw her an amused smile.

‘I’ll carry you up, m’lady.’ He stood up and bowed lavishly to Lucy’s merriment and Tessa’s annoyance.

‘It’s okay. You’ve already done enough, thanks. I’ll try and make my own way upstairs. I think I should get as much practice using this foot anyway. It’s not as though it’s broken or anything.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Treat that foot properly and you’ll be ready for dancing in a couple of days’ time. Walk on it and you’ll end up laid up for the next two weeks.’

‘Which would be fine considering I won’t have to go to work,’ Tessa retorted, standing up and delicately placing a bit of pressure on the foot in question.

Before she was aware of it, he was next to her and sweeping her up in one easy movement. Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa could see her sister grinning like a Cheshire cat and she scowled, unfortunately into Curtis’s chest.

She couldn’t work out where things had all gone so horribly wrong. The feel-good factor that had been there in the bedroom, the sensation that everything she was doing, mad though it all was, was somehow right had disappeared like a puff of smoke.

What had she done? Bit late in the game to start asking questions like that, she thought, but they still kept coming at her thick and fast and Curtis, with his usual impeccable perception, had obviously clocked into that because as soon as he deposited her on the bed he stood back, arms folded, every inch the forbidding male.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ he asked her without preamble.

‘Matter?’

‘Don’t play dumb, Tessa.’

Tessa decided to drop the act. She had never been very good at playing dumb anyway. She shrugged and went for the outright lie instead. ‘I didn’t want to say anything but my foot was beginning to act up a little.’ She looked at it mournfully. The painkillers were doing a brilliant job. ‘You were right. It needs to be rested if it’s to mend.’ Curtis being a man, she thought that that little piece of ego flattery would deflect him from his perceptive appraisal of her mood, which was something she didn’t want to dwell on.