‘Of course not. I’m only here because your company reneged on the deal it struck with me!’
‘A fact I’m yet to verify. The quicker you get on the plane, the quicker this can be resolved.’
She had no argument against that. And the reality was she’d come too far to turn back. And there was the small problem of Simon’s loan shark lurking in the background.
Taking a deep breath, she started to mount the steps. Recalling something he’d said, she twisted and nearly collided with his lean, muscular frame. The steadying hand he threw around her waist burned through to her skin. This close, without the hindrance of his mask, she could see how his envy-inducing cheekbones and long eyelashes framed his impossibly handsome face.
‘What did you mean about being thwarted?’
‘Sex, Ruby. I meant sex. We’re going to have it together. It’s going to be spectacular and, yes, I know you’re going to protest. But it will happen. So prepare yourself for it.’
She was still reeling from the raw, brazen words hours later as she tried to doze in her fully reclined seat two rows from where he conducted a teleconference call.
She had no idea how long the flight to Belize would take. She had no idea what the temperature would be this time of year.
In fact, her mind was empty of everything but the words Narciso had uttered to her on the steps of his plane.
Punching her pillow, she silently cursed herself for dwelling on it. It was never going to happen. She’d have to be ten kinds of fool to repeat what she’d nearly gone through with Simon—
‘If you punch that pillow one more time, it’ll give up its secrets, I’m sure of it.’
She twisted around and found him standing beside her seat, one hand held out.
‘Sleep is eluding you. Let’s spend some time together.’
‘No, thanks.’
He dropped his hand and shoved it into his pocket. Ruby tried not to stare at the way his shoulders flexed under the snow-white T-shirt he’d changed into. ‘Please yourself. But if you end up serving me food that I find abhorrent because you haven’t done your homework, you’ll only have yourself to blame.’
The challenge had the desired effect. Pushing aside the cashmere throw the stewardess had provided, she went after him.
He smiled mockingly and waved her into the club chair opposite his.
Ruby smoothed her dishevelled hair down, and activated her tablet. ‘Okay, shoot. What’s your favourite food?’
‘Life offers such vast richness. Having favourites is severely restricting.’
She sighed. ‘This isn’t going to be easy, is it?’
He shrugged. ‘I take entertainment where I can get it.’
‘Okay, next question. Any food allergies?’
‘Peanuts and avocado.’
Her head snapped up. ‘Seriously?’
‘I don’t joke with my health, amante.’
She noted it on her tablet. ‘How do you feel about Sicilian food?’