The Ultimate Playboy(79)

                He remained silent for so long she thought he’d refused to pick up the thread of their conversation. Then his breath shuddered out. ‘Giacomo believes that.’

                ‘Because you perpetuate that image?’

                His smile was grim but it held speculation. ‘Perhaps, but it’s an image I’m growing tired of.’

                Her breath caught.

                His eyes met hers and he reached across and took her hand. ‘Does that surprise you? That I’m thinking it’s time to end this vendetta?’

                ‘Why the change of heart?’ she asked.

                His casual shrug looked a little stiff. ‘Perhaps it’s time to force another mutation of our relationship,’ he said obliquely.

                ‘And if it fails?’

                His eyes darkened before his lashes swept down to veil his expression. ‘I’m very good at adapting, amante.’ He stood up abruptly and pulled her up. ‘Time for a shower.’

                She waited until they were both naked in the bedroom before she spoke.

                ‘All that with Giacomo. I’m sorry it happened to you.’

                His nostrils flared as bleakness washed over his face. Then slowly, he reasserted control.

                Intense silver eyes travelled over her, lingering on her bare breasts with fierce hunger that made her nipples pucker. ‘Don’t be. Our feud brought me to Macau. Macau brought you to me. I call that a win-win situation, amante.’

                He lunged up and grabbed her. Swinging her up in his arms, he crossed the suite and entered the adjoining bathroom.

                ‘Wait, we haven’t finished talking.’

                ‘Sì, we have. I’ve revealed more of my past to you than to any other living soul. If I’m The Warlock you should be renamed The Sorceress.’

                Demanding hands reached for her, propelled her backwards into the warm shower he’d turned on.

                ‘But I don’t know you nearly enough.’

                He yanked the shower head from its cradle and aimed the nozzle in the curve of her neck. Water set to the perfect temperature soothed her and she allowed her mind to slide free of the questions that raced through her thoughts.

                Understanding the boy he’d been, caught in the hell of a father who hated the very sight of him, Ruby found it wasn’t a stretch to understand why he’d closed himself off.

                But she’d seen beneath the façade, knew the playboy persona was just a defence mechanism. His relationship with Giacomo meant more to him than he was willing to admit.

                As if reading her thoughts, he sent her a narrow-eyed glare. ‘Don’t try and understand me, Ruby. You may not like what you discover.’

                ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

                His eyes met hers and she glimpsed the dark river of anguish. ‘It means there may never be enough underneath the surface to be worth your time.’

                ‘Shouldn’t I be the judge of that?’

                He stepped forward and aimed the shower right between her thighs. Ruby gasped as sensation weakened her knees. She reached out for something to steady her and got a handful of warm, vibrant flesh. He angled the showerhead and she let out a strangled moan.