So she wasnt particularly happy about meeting him now. Did you enjoy the show? For all his sophistication, she suspected he was more at home working in his office than attending a fashion show.
It wasfascinating.
Do you often go to fashion shows? she asked, making small talk, passing the time, hearing the chatter going on around them, the music getting louder.
A wry smile entered his eyes. No. I only came to accompany my stepmother.
Olivia remembered seeing the elegant woman sitting next to him. I see. Did she stay for the party? Is she here now? Perhaps hed go find her and not come back. She silently sighed. That was about as likely as the moon turning to cheese.
No, my father wasnt feeling well tonight so she decided to go home.
I hope hes okay.
Alexs mouth tightened. He is.
She considered his words. You sound certain about that.
My fathers very good at getting his own way, he said brusquely.
I have a mother whos the same, she joked in a moment of empathy, then regretted allowing any correlation between her and Alex.
He didnt smile.
There was a tiny pause. Then, God, youre beautiful.
She blinked, hardening her heart as it bounced inside her chest. Oh, puh-lease.
His jaw clenched. Dont prejudge me, Olivia. I dont need to flatter to get my way. If I like something, I say so. If I want something, I ask.
Or take, she said, her lip curling, instinctively knowing what sort of man he was. Yes, he was a taker. One whod take a woman to the heights, then down to the very depths of her being.
See, he mocked. You know me already.
She drew her shoulders back. Mr. Valente
Alex.
Alex, look. I dont mean to be rude, but
I have a proposition for you.
Shocked, she still managed to shoot him a withering look. That figures.
An icy glint appeared in his eyes. Thats quite an attitude youve got there.
She suddenly felt defensive. Its justified.
A moment crept by. So every person you meet is judged by one criterion, are they?
His question made her angry. He must be intelligent enough to know that all her life people had used her to get to her mother. And now they used her in her own right. Not that it got them very far these days.
Not after Eric.
What a fool shed been for marrying such a liar and a cheat. Five years ago shed been twenty-two and unprepared for his lesson in deception. Little had she known hed wanted her for her money, until hed found another woman with even more money and had run off with her.
Her chin lifted. Mr. Valente, if all this is leading somewhere, please tell me where.
Dinner.
Her heart thudded once. What about it?
Have dinner with me tomorrow night.
Her heart thudded twice. I cant.
He met her gaze for long seconds. You have another engagement?
No.
There was a slight lifting of his brow. Then why not have dinner with me?
She hated this interrogation. How do you know Im not involved with someone?
If you are, I feel sorry for him. I wouldnt like it if my woman was attracted to another man the way you are to me.
She sucked in a lungful of air. Dont be ridiculous. Im not attracted to you.
He raised his brows.
Look, Im sure any other woman would be only too glad to go out with you. She drew herself up taller. Please excuse me, now. With that, she walked away with her back straight and her head held high and let herself be swallowed up in the crowd.
She half expected him to follow her, but after that he seemed to have disappeared. She was glad, she told herself. She already had a headache from the music that was getting progressively louder.
Going out for dinner with a man like Alex Valente would not be prudent, she knew. She already had enough disasters to deal withshe wouldnt add possible heartache to the list.
Chapter Two
The next day Olivia was in her office when a courier delivered a letter for her marked Personal.
There was just something about that strong handwriting that put her on alert. She gazed down at the white envelope in her hand, noting the way her name had been written in bold strokes. Her heart skipped a beat. Was she being silly to think this was from Alex Valente?
It was.
It read, Dinner tonight. Seven-thirty. Sylvesters Restaurant.
She stared at the note, her blood pressure beginning to rise. The sheer arrogance of the man! He sure didnt take no for an answer.
Heavens, just the thought of spending an evening with Alex Valente was enough to give her a serious case of goose bumps. She couldnt deny she was deeply attracted to him. There was a strength about him that appealed to her.
Of course that was probably because the men in her life had always been weak in some way or other. Her parents had divorced when she was two, and her father had ignored her for most of her life. Her successive two stepfathers had both been kind but self-centered. And her ex-husband had only been interested in himself. They hadnt been good examples of the male species.
So why did she think Alex Valente was?
By six that evening she knew she would meet him. She had too much to worry about these days and wondering what Alex wanted from her did not need to be added to her list.
At least the restaurant was neutral ground, she told herself, showering then dressing in one of her own classic designs. The cream-colored pantsuit flattered her tall slim figure. Matching leather pumps completed a sophisticated but businesslike effect.
She might as well have worn nothing, she mused an hour later. Alex had watched her entrance into the restaurant with a masculine appreciation that sent a tingle of anticipation along her spine.
Glad you could make it, he said, his voice low and throaty as she reached the corner table.
Im not, she said, then quickly cleared the huskiness from her throat.
A knowing look entered his eyes. So why did you come?
She angled her chin at him. To tell you that I found your note arrogant and to make it clear I want nothing to do with you.
You could have just phoned and said the same thing.
But would you have given up?
He arched a brow. Do I look like a man who gives up?
No.
Then you have your answer. He held out her chair for her. Lets eat first.
She swallowed. First? She didnt much feel like eating, but the waiter was hovering, so she went through the motions and ordered a glass of mineral water, then glanced at the menu and ordered veal.
Youve obviously done some checking to find me, she said, once they were alone.
I needed to get the note to you, he dismissed, as if checking up on people was what he did every day.
Well, shed done some checking herself this afternoon, but she wasnt about to tell him that. Shed heard of the House of Valentewho hadnt? But until now shed never been interested in reading the odd gossip column about the love exploits of the three Valente brothers.
Alex, I
I love your name, he cut across her, his voice suddenly deepening to a murmur. Olivia.
Her heart fluttered at the sound of her name on his lips. He made it sound so sexyso downright deliciousso
All at once she realized what he was doing and her mouth tightened. He obviously liked to interrupt her with a personal comment just to throw her off-balance.
I was named after Larry, she told him, hiding a smirk.
His brow arched. Larry?
Sir Laurence Olivier. You know, the actor.
His hard, sensual mouth visibly relaxed. Oh. I know who he is. Or was.
She emphasized a sigh. Alas, he died before I was born, but he was like a favorite uncle to my mother.
Alexs eyes held amusement. I can see youre trying to put me in my place.
An odd exhilaration filled her. Did it work?
No. But then, I have friends in high places, too. And theyre all still alive. One corner of his mouth twisted upward. Id say youve tried that little trick before.
Not since I was a teenager. Ive grown up since then.
And very nicely, too, he drawled.
While the waiter was placing their drinks on the table, Olivia couldnt help but take a proper look at Alex from beneath her lashes. Lord. The man was handsome to a fault, his dark looks a lethal combination of virility and commanding self-confidence, the superbly tailored suit he wore merely an excuse to take a second look at him.
Then she noticed hed seen her assessing him. Her cheeks warmed as her heart tried to settle. She was grateful when he started to discuss less personal things and Olivia felt herself relax as the conversation stayed on general topics.
Are you close to your mother, Olivia? he said, just after the waiter took away their empty plates.
Uneasiness sliced through her. Why do you ask?
You were raised by your grandmother here in Australia, werent you? Your mother lived in Los Angeles. He made it sound as if her mother had deserted her.
It wasnt like that, she said, defensively. My mothers work was in Los Angeles. She thought Id have a better upbringing with my grandmother and I did. Nanna and I loved each other. Her heart squeezed at the thought of her grandmothers passing seven years ago.
All at once she realized she was justifying her family. Look, why did you invite me here, Alex?
Because you need me.
She almost choked. Excuse me?
He sent her a mocking look. Let me put it another way. You need my money.
She suddenly felt a chill. Could he know about her mothers debts? It had to be the best-kept secret in LA, but only because she worked hard to earn the money to keep up her mothers normally elaborate lifestyle.
Oh God. Could Alex actually know something about her mother? If he did, would he use that knowledge? If rumors started that her mother was in debt up to her neck, her mothers career, already on a downhill slide, could be all but over.
Her mother would never survive the humiliation.
She needed to play this cool. I dont know what you mean. Why would I need your money?
Your business is floundering, Olivia. You and your partner overextended by opening boutiques in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and now youre in debt. You should have just started with the Sydney one.
She let out a slow breath of relief. So, he didnt know about her mother at all. Thank heavens!
And funny, but she was pleased to hear his opinion. It had been her intention to open one boutique at a time but Lianne had persuaded her otherwise, her partner thinking it was a great idea to go for three at once.
And it would have been if all their clients had paid them the money they owed.
Naturally the fashion show had put them further in the red. As had another of her mothers lavish parties put together as a means to help her get a part in a movie that now wasnt even getting made.
You need cash to get your business out of trouble, Alex continued, bringing her mind back to their conversation.
She shrugged. Its a temporary cash flow problem, thats all.
Youre an exceptional fashion designer, Olivia, but that wont save your business. You need money and you need it quickly.
I can get the money if I want. I have connections. And the minute she used them, her boutiques would no longer be her own.
So why havent you used those connections before now? Youre leaving it a bit late.
She picked up her glass of mineral water and took a sip, giving herself time to reply. Pride, I guess. I dont like owing anything to anyone. But if it comes to the crunch, Ill swallow my pride if I have to.
A long moment crept by, then, Marry me, Olivia, and I promise you wont owe a thing.
She gave herself a mental shake. Excuse me?
Marry me.
She laughed as she put down her glass. Youre delusional.
Challenge flared in his eyes. Far from it.
This was absolutely crazy. Shed only just met the man. Did he even know the type of person she was? Did he care?
Im attracted to you, he said, his gaze dropping to her mouth as if he was tempted to kiss her. And youre attracted to me. You felt it as soon as we first saw each other.
The only thing Im feeling is disbelief. And anger. A woman would have to be desperate to marry a stranger, much less marry a man like Alex Valente. He had to be kidding.
A look of implacable determination crossed his face. Whats that perfume youre wearing?
She stared at him, baffled at the change in subject. You must know what it is. Its Valentes Woman.
So you like it then? He didnt give her time to answer. Or did you wear it just for me tonight? he asked, his voice taking on a husky quality that shivered through her.
She ignored that shiver. No, I didnt wear it just for you tonight. It happens to be a gorgeous scent and I love it. I wear it all the time. And that was the truth.
He inclined his head, his eyes turning businesslike. And so do most women in Australia.
Im sure youre right. This particular perfume called to something inside her. It possessed a fascinating quality and retained a sensual edge that, to her mind, made it the perfect perfume. She rather thought shed like to wear it for the rest of her life.
Were about to launch it in the States in a big way, he said, drawing her from her thoughts. And Ive come to a decision. We can use all the publicity we can get, but I cant think of any better publicity than the CEO of the House of Valente marrying someone with the famous Cannington name.
She was so shocked at his reasoning, it took her a moment to think past what he was saying.
And then a derisive sound escaped her mouth. Let me get this right. Youll pay me to marry you for the sake of a perfume?
Why not? Ive heard of worse reasons. And while its too late for the launch right now, we could eventually promote the perfume along with your line of fashion. He leaned back comfortably in his chair and took another sip of his Scotch. Marry me and Ill pay all your debts.
Pay her debts? Plus the chance to combine the Valente perfume and her fashion designs? The thought of it intrigued her.