The place hed experienced Carla.
Javier jerked himself from the memories. The reminder of the gullible idiot hed been in the days following raked rough and jagged over his senses.
Never again.
It took several minutes to realise she wasnt deliberately ignoring him and feigning sleep. Carla had truly fallen asleep, her breathing soft but deep, the lines of exhaustion he hadnt wanted to acknowledge now smoothing out on her face.
He stepped back from the bed before another guilty twinge lanced him. Hed come to reiterate the message hed delivered to her in his office a month ago. Standing there watching her sleepher perfect face relaxed and enthrallingwas an inane exercise.
About to turn away, he paused as a niggling thought impinged. It was the same sensation hed experienced when shed turned up in his New York office to sign the contract.
Despite her spirited words just now, an air of apathy surrounded her that seemed at variance with the woman whose ambition had made her competitors cow before her on the ice rink. Magnificence like that didnt happen overnight, and Carla Nardozzi was known for her indefatigable dedication to her discipline. And yet, shed seemed a shadow of herself during their meeting in New York. It was that inkling of ennui hed sensed that had propelled him to get a rise out of her...by kissing her.
It was what was stopping him leaving the room right now.
Having never experienced such an emotion, Javier wasnt sure how to deal with it. And not knowing how to deal with a problem wasnt a scenario he readily accepted.
He told himself it was the reason he was sitting in the armchair in the corner of the room, watching Carla sleep two hours later. After all, he was a firm believer in confronting an issue before it grew out of hand.
Hed confronted the man hed been told was his father when he was seventeen. And again when his mother had died. Both times the results had been traumatic enough to fell a lesser man. Hed chosen to absorb the experiences as the hard lessons hed needed to forge his path in life. So what if being termed a bastard by the man whose blood ran through his veins had left an imagined hole in Javiers life for a long time? Hed learned with time that he could live without the soft trappings of family and endless entanglements of relationships that were, more often than not, fraught and tedious. The ideal family life hed envied from afar as a child had proved to be nothing more than a cluster of blood relations fighting over what remained of a once prestigious aristocratic name.
Hed achieved more in his lifetime than his so-called ancestors had managed in several generations.
But the rejection still hurt...
Javier shrugged tense shoulders, ferociously denying the voice in his head, and looked up as Carla murmured in her sleep.
Clinically, he examined her, forcing himself to assess what had drawn him so inexorably to her. She certainly wasnt his type. Slim and far too delicate where he preferred his women curvy and vivacious.
Yet, from the first moment hed laid eyes on her, hed been captivated by the combination of ethereal beauty that comprised silky caramel-streaked chocolate hair, vivid green eyes and a figure that begged for masculine hands, his hands, to mould and possess.
And despite everything that had happenedher deliberate, callous insults and her flaying rejection the morning after their passionate night togetherhe couldnt help the rush of heat to his groin as he lingered on her full mouth and the steady rise and fall of her breasts.
He surged to his feet, disgusted with himself for ogling a sick, bedridden woman.
But Carla Nardozzi wasnt just any woman. She epitomised the very thing that Javier had struggled all his life to effectively deny.
Shed rejected him because he hadnt been good enough. Not once, but twice, shed looked upon him as if he hadnt been worthy to address her.
The family he didnt want or need had been allowed to get away with treating him like that.
She would not.
And before their association was over, he would make sure she took back every dismissive word, every scathing look and gesture shed spurned him with.
CHAPTER THREE
EVEN BEFORE CARLA came fully awake, she knew he was still there. His presence was too oppressive, too hyper-intense, to dismiss.
Thankfully, her headache had lessened, and, even though her broken wrist throbbed, Carla felt much better and in control of herself than shed been a few hours ago.
So she opened her eyes, and glanced at the occupant of the armchair.
Javier was asleep.
That in itself was shocking enough to observethe man was larger than life, a demigod who surely didnt require the rejuvenating needs of mere mortals. But it was the transformation that had overcome his face that made her eyes widen. That made her stare shamelessly.
His arms were flung over the sides of the chair, his long legs splayed in front of him. The position offered an unfettered view of the stunning landscape of his body. Powerful taut thighs tapered to lean hips and a trim waist before veering up to display a torso that wouldve made any athlete proud. His deep chest and broad shoulders rose and fell and his slightly relaxed jawline drew attention to the stubble that had grown in the hours hed been here. Almost reluctantly, her gaze traced his face.
Sinfully gorgeous, Javiers features had always been a subject of acute fascination for her and this time was no exception, despite his less than formidable demeanour in repose.
Heat dragged low in her belly as she recalled what that mouth had done to her, what shed begged him to do to her during that mad, reckless night in Miami.
Hed fulfilled her every wish, and more, with an intensity that had sent her running for cover in a blind panic the next morning. Carla had known that Javier was bad news for her. His healthy sex life and reputation for strictly temporary liaisons with women hadnt been a secret. Shed known even before she woke up in his bed that it was only a matter of time before he notched her name on his bedpost and moved on. Dio mio, shed barely kept up with him during their night of passion, her inexperience blazing through every fumbled kiss and caress that had made his sensual lips twitch with tender humour. But it was the risk to her own emotions that had finally sent her scurrying.
That had made her strike out before hed got round to rejecting her first.
You stare at me with such fascination, its almost enough to make me forgot the horror on your face when you looked upon me once upon a time.
She jumped, her mind dragging itself to the present and to the ragged contempt in his voice. She forced herself to meet Javiers gaze. It wasnt horror. At least not at you.
One sleek eyebrow lifted. Is that supposed to make me feel better, pequeña? That you were horrified with yourself for choosing me to be the man you lost your innocence to?
Is there anything I can say that will make you stop condemning me for what I said the next morning?
The gleam in his eyes slowly hardened to merciless chips. Still splayed out in indolent abandon, he linked his fingers over his washboard stomach. You told me sleeping with me was the worst mistake of your life. Of course with the benefit of hindsight I see that I was being used all along. But even if I hadnt believed you then or found a way to excuse that insult, your behaviour since has proven your words to be true. Why should I believe that anything you say now isnt just to save face?
Save face? she said, confused.
Angelis is engaged to another woman, is he not? Hes made his choice and it wasnt you. Its natural you wouldnt want the world to know how you truly feel about him.
Im not in love with him. Im really not, she stressed when mocking disbelief draped his face.
Then why were you seen kissing him at your charity event in Tuscany last month?
Would you believe me if I told you it was a mistake?
He surged to his feet in one smooth bound, a volatile emotion bristling from his large frame. No. The fact is your obsession with him continues, and you dont seem to be interested in the small matter of him being committed to another. You just want what you want, dont you, Carla, and to hell with the consequences?
No, of course I dont. Id never do that
But you did. He strolled closer, a predator stalking his prey, until he stood over her. The evidence speaks for itself.
She shook her head, unable to believe she was having this conversation with Javier. Its obvious youve made up your mind about me. I said Id return to New York with you. So why are you still here? Im not exactly in the position to make a run for it.
A dark frown clamped his brows. He shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. You fell asleep before I got your word that youll stay away from Angelis from now on.
Carla sat up gingerly and swung her legs over the side. The wave of dizziness that washed over her was blessedly brief. Hes my agent. Avoiding him will be impossible. And counter-productive, dont you think?
You can and you will. Angelis has enough executives to ensure he has no personal dealings with you from now on. Ill contact him myself to make sure the request is understood.
Are you going to forbid me from letting him become my trainer too, which was his suggestion? She shook her head. If I didnt know better, Id think you were jealous. And you dont wear it particularly well.
Deep, unamused laughter erupted from his throat, mocking her every word. Dont delude yourself. Scandal may sell newspapers, but my company has remained free of it up till now and I intend to ensure it stays that way. As for training you, weve agreed that it would be better if someone else assumes that role.
Her unhurt hand gripped the side of the bed. Youve been discussing me with Draco behind my back?
Ive been trying to minimise the impact of whats happenedwhat are you doing? You shouldnt be on your feet.
Carla swayed for a moment before she managed to steady herself. I should if I want to use the bathroom. Or are you going to forbid that too?
A faint wash of colour highlighted his sculpted cheekbones and his lips pursed for a moment. Dont be ridiculous.
She wanted to protest the ridiculousness of the whole situation. But she was too busy wincing as she placed her weight on her left foot. Too late, she remembered shed landed hard on her hip. A second later, she was swung off her feet.
The shock of the sudden action halted her breath for a second before she regained her senses. What are you doing? Put me down!
No. Youre in no fit state to be walking anywhere.
He hoisted her up, his steps sure and confident as he strode into the adjoining bathroom. Painfully aware of her dishevelled state, she buried her reddening face in his chest. And was immediately bombarded with the unique, undeniably male scent of him. The urge to take greedy gulps of him assailed her, forcing her to do the opposite and hold her breath as he slowly lowered her to her feet.
Unable to stop herself, she risked a glance at him, to find his burnished bronze gaze on her.
Umm...you can let me go now, she ventured, her senses screaming at the electrifying grip he had on her arms.
He frowned. Will you be okay? he asked brusquely. Ill go and get the nurse
Theres no need. Ill be fine.
He stared at her for a few more seconds. Then he carefully stepped back. Dont lock the door, he instructed.
Carla resisted the urge to perform an uncharacteristic eye roll. Im not made of glass, Javier. Ive suffered more falls in my career than most people will in a lifetime.
If anything her answer drew an even deeper frown from him. Is that supposed to reassure me?
I wasnt aware that you needed my reassurance. Just my acquiescence to your every demand.
His eyes darkened. You laid down the rules of our relationship, querida. Dont complain now that Im playing by your standards.
Carla was puzzling over that cryptic remark when he shut the door and left her in peace for the first time since waking up in hospital. She didnt doubt that shed invited some degree of the hell Javier seemed intent on visiting upon her. But overall his actions pointed to a deeper reaction to what shed done to warrant his almost volatile anger. Had she really bruised his ego that much? How could she have, when hed been associated with some of the most captivatingly beautiful women in the world, both before and after their unfortunate one-night stand?
To complete her ablutions, she limped to the sink, washed up, and lifted her gaze to the mirror. With growing horror, she examined the bags under her eyes and the unkempt nest of her thick hair. She almost giggled hysterically at the thought of her father seeing her this way. For as long as she could remember, Olivio had demanded perfection in everything she did. Shed granted it. Because to do otherwise wouldve incurred his wrath. Besides, itd been easier playing the perfect princess. It provided the flawless façade to hide behind. Seeking and attaining perfection meant she didnt have to acknowledge the flawed individual behind the mask.
Carla stared into the mirror, her heart thumping hard as she acknowledged that the shell had well and truly cracked. Her eyes looked bruised and haunted. But then what was new? Pain and betrayal were effective tools in eroding any chance of finding peace even while doing what one loved
Carla?
The harsh rap of her name brought her up short. Quickly running her fingers through her hair, she took a deep breath. She would deal with her father and their acrimonious relationship once she got out of here.
First she needed to deal with the man intent on making her pay dearly for her one monumental mistake.
* * *
The moment the doctor gave her the all-clear to leave later that afternoon, Javier swung into action.
Your father is having your things brought over. Well stay at my hotel tonight and fly out in the morning.
She smoothed her hand over the dark orange dress and matching shoes shed found in her hospital closet. With the help of the nurse, shed taken a quick shower and pulled her hair into its customary bun. The effort to make herself presentable had been worth it when shed emerged from the hospital to find a crowd of fans cheering at her apparent recovery. As always, shed been silently awed and a little intimidated at being the object of such intense scrutiny. Although she hadnt been willing to admit it at the time, shed been grateful for Javiers solid presence beside her. Especially when shed caught a glimpse of the latest newspaper headline.
Dont I have to deal with the police, seeing as Tyson Blackwell is to be charged?
Well deal with it this afternoon, if youre feeling up to it. If not, well handle it later. Ive spoken to the authorities. They dont really need your statement to charge him.