‘I THINK WE need a change of scene.’
‘A change of scene to where?’ Suki asked without turning around from where she was basking in the spectacular sunset. In the two weeks since he’d taken the sketches of her, she’d barely seen Ramon. Each morning after breakfast, he disappeared into his studio.
His presence at lunch and dinner had been replaced by an extra attentive Teresa, who had even attempted to learn a few English phrases in order to engage her in conversation.
As much as Suki appreciated the housekeeper’s efforts her appetite had been reduced to forcing food down merely to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
She was in love with Ramon Acosta.
He was only interested in the baby she carried.
No matter how many times she told herself the latter to mitigate any further pain, her heart lurched harder, the pain growing more acute. Her hand tightened around the metal banister that edged the villa’s flat roof terrace.
Suki had taken to escaping up here when the worst of the day’s heat abated to enjoy the sunset, and the cast-iron bench seats with plump cushions set beneath a simple ivy-covered gazebo were the perfect place to retreat. Either with a book or with the thoughts that were determined not to leave her be.
Hearing the clatter of crockery behind her, she turned to see one of Teresa’s minions was heading their way holding a tray. Suki had stopped wondering how the housekeeper knew when to strike with her snacks but then discovered there was actually a twenty-four-hour roster in the kitchen ensuring the endless supply of food.
The unexpected appearance and steady approach of the man who dominated those thoughts sent a skitter of alarm over her skin.
And equally punishing, he was once again shirtless.
She couldn’t hide her reaction to the electrifying stimulus or stop the breath that caught dangerously in her midriff, all of which Ramon clocked with perceptive eyes.
‘Come and sit down.’ He indicated the chairs, murmuring an order to the maid before relieving her of the tray of refreshing drinks and a plate of yemitas.
Leaving the balcony, she took a seat on the sofa, numbly accepting a cup of decaf coffee she had no interest in drinking and a small platter of pastries.
Ramon helped himself to an espresso before he snagged one pastry for himself. Sitting back, he chewed and swallowed, his inscrutable eyes on her. ‘My art foundation holds a month-long talent-sourcing contest for Cuban artists every September. It’s open to twenty-five entrants. The final selection is made in mid-October and we showcase ten of them at my galleries over a two-week period.’
The unexpected subject that had nothing to do with food or vitamins piqued her interest. ‘Here in Cuba?’
He nodded. ‘Initially, but also in other Piedra Galleries. Teresa tells me you’ve stopped eating and are a whisper away from going stir crazy. Now your mother is back in London undergoing the second stage of her treatment, I think we should visit the galleries together. We can stop in London to see your mother after Madrid.’
She didn’t clock the middle part of his statement immediately because she was too busy being giddy at the thought of time spent on something else other than her tormenting thoughts. Even if that time involved seeing Ramon’s work again. ‘That would be—wait, you’ve been having Teresa spy on me?’ Her voice rose almost comically.
He gave an unapologetic shrug. ‘She’s just as invested in your welfare as I am. And I’m hoping we’ll get you out of here before that situation fully blooms.’
‘I’m not going stir—’ She stopped as the maid returned, holding something in her hand. Rising fluidly to his feet, Ramon took it from her and returned tugging a dark sea-green T-shirt over his chest. Absurdly, even though her senses screamed at the torture of being subjected to the breathtaking masterpiece of his body, she mourned its disappearance once he covered himself up. It was probably why she was still staring at him as he returned, sat down and drained his coffee.
Setting his mug on the tray, he cocked an eyebrow at her. ‘Are you happy now, belleza?’ he drawled.
Tuning off her observation of the amazing things the colour did to his eyes, she finished her own decaf coffee. ‘It’s a good start,’ she declared briskly.
Her senses were too jumpy to ascertain whether she caught a trace of laughter before he inclined his head. ‘The first exhibition is this Friday. My assistant will put together an itinerary and put the medical team on standby.’
Her heart performed a sickening lurch. ‘Do we need to take them with us?’ The twice weekly visits by the team of doctors had been bearable before but were beginning to wear on her nerves.
Grim resolve crawled over his features, his body tensing in preparation for a fight. ‘Yes. It’s non-negotiable, Suki.’
She rose from the sofa, her agitated steps taking her back to the balcony. Below her lay the beautifully manicured gardens, carefully and attentively tended by Mario. Beyond the boundaries of the villa, the captivating port city of Cienfuegos, which had been awarded World Heritage Site status, went on as normal, unknowing that she was falling in love with its rich culture, thriving art and vintage cars, falling in love with one of its most dedicated citizens.
When she felt Ramon’s approach, she turned, met the penetrating eyes that seemed to see into her soul. ‘Even if their presence taunts me with the possibility that something could go wrong at any moment?’ she blurted.
A tiny flash of shock sparked his eyes at her naked admission. Then he frowned. ‘I hadn’t quite thought of it that way.’
Of course he hadn’t. Her heart twisted painfully. ‘You ran a global empire and are used to having teams troubleshoot problems sometimes before they happen. It’s a natural reaction for you. It’s not for me.’
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Although the gesture was a gentle one, his body remained tense, his gaze calculating and direct. ‘It’s the most efficient way to mitigate potential problems.’
Her fists balled, but she struggled to keep her voice even. Her emotions where he was concerned might be slipping out of her control but she could control this. ‘I’m not a potential business problem, Ramon.’
His hand dropped, his hands shoving into his pockets. The gaze that had hers captive swept down, shutting her out. When it rose again it was charged with double the purpose. ‘No. I’ve lost too much. I won’t risk this baby’s safety.’
Pain lanced her. ‘And you think I will?’
His jaw clenched tight. ‘I think you should remember our agreement. You agreed to the presence of a medical team for the duration of the pregnancy. You won’t go back on your promise now,’ he finished harshly.
The finality of that statement, the reminder that she was just the vessel incubating his heir, hollowed out any last vestige of the hope that she foolishly clung to in the dark of night. The hope that if they’d been as compatible in bed as she recalled, then perhaps, once the baby was born, they could go forge something out of the bones of that compatibility. It’d been a shameless, desperate wish. But a wish that she’d thought had foundations.
The look in his eyes told a different story.
Chemistry might prompt his body to react a certain way to hers but the most important part of him, his heart, would never be hers.
Slowly she unfurled her fists. ‘Fine. Since that’s what your piece of paper states, then, by all means, have them come.’
Skirting his imposing form, she hurried away from the terrace.
* * *
Ramon watched her walk away, wondering if the tempestuous upheaval that best described his current state of being was pushing him into taking decisions that weren’t entirely sound.
No, he concluded in the next breath. What was more sound than ensuring the optimal well-being of Suki and their baby? He knew the statistics. He also knew that expert care and quick action during a crisis would be the difference between saving the ones he cared about and having his heart ripped out all over again.
He couldn’t take that.
But what about her fears?
Discomfort irritated beneath his skin, the voice very much like his brother’s sparking a deep vexation.
She’d signed the agreement, yes, but did a piece of paper take into account the true reality? For the first time he’d allowed himself to truly hear her. Had he allowed himself to see the torment that always lurked in her eyes? The same torment she must have felt when faced with the diagnosis of their baby the first time round.
She’d lived through it. He hadn’t. Did he not owe her the benefit of a little peace of mind?
But at what cost?
Gripping his nape, he looked to the heavens, seeking clarity. But as with everything else, he knew he would only find it within himself. And yet the instinct he’d trusted all of his life was flashing with an out of order signal. Because the options it was throwing out were laughable.
Or perhaps you don’t want to trust what it’s saying?
‘Shut up, hermano,’ he sneered under his breath.
Dios, he was losing his mind.
Folding his arms, he leaned against the balcony and attempted to calm his racing thoughts. But nothing would be calmed. Nothing had been calm since he first set eyes on Suki, he realised. She managed to consume his thoughts with very little effort.
Day or night.
Except he’d found a minimal outlet in the form of the nearly finished sculpture residing in his studio.
The sculpture you’re tipping into obsession over?
He growled under his breath. So what if he was obsessed? He’d made a promise and he planned on keeping it. No matter that he was pouring a part of himself into the project than he’d never done before?
No matter that he fell into bed and dreamed about the subject of the project and woke up with a hollow feeling in his chest?
Suficiente.
Taking his phone from his pocket, he dialled his assistant’s number, relayed precise instructions and hung up. Then he turned around, intent on taking a moment’s peace of mind to enjoy the last of the blazing sunset.
Thirty seconds later, he was reaching for his phone again, and delivering slightly modified instructions.
The mocking laughter that rang in his ears, Ramon studiously decided to ignore.
Their journey to Havana two days later went without a hitch. As did the first exhibit of the talented artists who’d made the cut of his programme. The eclectic mix of local artists, avid collectors and overseas gallery owners interested in the thriving Cuban art scene meant the event was fully attended.
Already he’d fielded calls from other galleries in the States and Europe interested in featuring three of the artists.
He’d finished delivering the news to the artists in question when she caught his eye from the corner of the room. Hell, who was he kidding? His body’s radar had known where she was at every single moment, even after she’d politely excused herself on arrival and made sure to put the width of the room between them from then on.
From across the room of Piedra Galleria Havana, he watched her converse with one of his artists. The short-sleeved lace dress hugged her upper arms and slim torso before flaring in a full calf-length skirt. With her hair caught up and delicate silver jewellery complementing her style, she was easily the most captivating woman in the room.
A fact evidenced by the volume of male attention directed her way.
The powerful hit of pure possessiveness didn’t surprise him. Nor did the recognition that part of his irritation stemmed from the fact that her full skirt prevented him from seeing her belly. He didn’t care that her pregnancy wasn’t outwardly visible yet.
The caveman in him wanted his claim on her in plain sight.
Mine, he wanted to growl. But the word stayed locked in his throat. Because to utter that, he would need another word to give truth to the situation. Temporarily.
So the claim stayed down, and he watched as she nodded eagerly in conversation, then replied. The young artist, clearly thrilled to have a captive audience, proceeded to elaborate whatever point he was making with animated hand gestures. Ramon watched a smile break over her face, the first he’d seen for a while. The knot in his stomach annoyed him almost as much as the ever-closing gap between Suki and the artist.
A server approached them. Ramon watched the man snag two glasses of champagne and hand her one. Another smile accompanied her refusal, which should’ve made him back away. Instead, he leaned ever closer to catch what she was saying.
Ramon was moving across the floor before he’d fully registered the movement of his limbs. He reached them in time to hear his cocky cajoling.
‘Come on, a simple drink for the man who put the first smile on your face tonight, sí?’
‘When a woman states that she doesn’t want a drink, you need to be a gentleman and respect her wishes,’ Ramon cut in coldly.
Diego Baptiste’s attention jerked his way, whatever objection he’d been about to put up dying when he saw Ramon.
He took a hasty step back, almost tripping over his feet. ‘Sí, lo siento. I did not mean any disrespect...enjoy your evening, señorita.’ Turning on his heel, he struck a straight route into the busy crowd.
Stunning blue eyes, holding distinct accusation, glared at him. ‘He was being nice. Did you have to put him down like that?’
A hovering waiter approached. Ramon chose a peach mocktail he knew she would enjoy and handed it to her, then grabbed a glass of cognac for himself, after which he walked her out of Diego’s papier-maché exhibition into one more pleasing to him. ‘He was encroaching where he had no business encroaching. So yes, the put-down was necessary.’
Her eyes snapped. ‘Encroaching? We were just talking. And you’re the host of this event. If you insist on glaring at everyone who walks past, don’t do it in my presence.’
‘You’re the most beautiful woman in the room. No man wants to just talk to you,’ he bit out. ‘And I can glare at whomever I damn well please.’
She gave a dry laugh, but even that sound attracted more stares. ‘What’s got into you? If I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous.’
‘Then I hate to be the bearer of bad news because you don’t know any better,’ he replied.
The glass in her hand wobbled. Her eyes widened adorably before heat flared up into her face along with a healthy measure of the confusion firing through his own bloodstream. ‘Ramon...’
‘You look stunning, querida, but I hate that dress you’re wearing.’
Her peach-glossed, deliciously kissable lips pursed. ‘Blame yourself, you chose it.’
‘Well, at the time I didn’t know that I would crave seeing your body bloom with my baby.’
She gave a soft gasp, then her forehead creased in puzzlement. ‘Are...are you okay?’
He gave a dry laugh of his own then, unable to resist, he stepped forward and slid a hand around her waist. ‘No. That skirt you’re wearing covers you a little too well.’
‘I’m not showing yet. And can we drop the wardrobe preferences for a minute?’
Splaying his fingers on her lower back, he pulled her closer until the top of her head was just below his chin, and he was breathing in the alluring scent of her apple shampoo and heady perfume.
‘I wasn’t as accommodating to your concerns as I should’ve been two days ago.’
She tensed, but she didn’t move away from him. Ramon chose to see that as a victory.
‘I feel like we’ve been here before but this time on a much grander scale. Is this your way of apologising?’ she asked.
He allowed himself a small smile. ‘If I say I need time to find the right words will you ride in my limo again?’
‘Been there, done that,’ she quipped. ‘I’m wearing the metaphorical T-shirt right now.’
His hand left her waist to catch her feisty chin in his hand. ‘You wear it beautifully and bravely. And your concerns have been noted and acted upon.’
Her gaze searched his. ‘Really?’
‘Sí.’
‘How?’
‘Leave the logistics to me. Just rest assured that, should we need them, the doctors will be there.’
She nodded after a handful of seconds, relief lightening her eyes. ‘Thank you.’
‘De nada.’
She started to step away. He scrambled with a reason to hold her close. When no coherent ones punched through the atmosphere of his confusion, he simply splayed his hand over her belly, feeling the slight firmness where his child was beginning to establish its presence.
She froze. A light quivering transmitted through his fingers. Her lowered gaze remained on his chest. Hiding from him.
‘Look at me, Suki.’ He waited for her gaze to reconnect with his. ‘This baby matters. But you matter equally. Entiendes?’
Her eyes grew bright. Then she nodded.
The tightness in his chest eased a fraction. Not enough to give him peace, but it was a start. ‘Are you ready to leave?’
She glanced around, clocked the people hovering nearby. ‘There are about a dozen people waiting to talk to you.’
‘They’re not important. Besides, every single piece sold out an hour ago and commissions are flooding in for the artists. My work here is done.’ His pride in his fellow artists and the work his foundation was doing was undeniable. But right now he wanted to get out of here. Wanted to test the waters with the daunting plan that loomed larger in his brain with every passing minute.
‘If you’re sure?’ She set her untouched drink down.
The faint shadows beneath her eyes sealed his answer. ‘I’m sure. Let’s go.’
He meshed his fingers through hers, kept the inevitable interaction between the room and the door to a minimum. He felt her slight hesitation as his limo pulled up.
Their interactions in the back of his limos had so far been...memorable. The hot tug of need to his groin confirmed which of the experiences he would repeat given the choice.
Helping her into the car, he slid in behind her and gave the instructions for the airport.
She glanced at him in surprise. ‘We’re leaving right now?’
‘I thought we’d kill two birds with one stone. You’re tired and need to get some sleep. I need to catch up on Acosta Hotel business before we land in Madrid. We can do both on the plane.’
And once she was awake, he would proceed.
She looked out of the window for a second before her gaze met his.
A little apprehensive. A lot alluring, with a swathe of hair falling over one eye. The urge to reach out and slide the wavy silk through his fingers raked through him. He settled for securing her seat belt as the car moved off.
Either she was too tired to protest or his idea wasn’t unwelcome, but the yawn that overtook her superseded everything else. Kicking off her shoes, she rested her head against the seat. ‘Okay,’ she said simply, before her eyes drifted shut.
Her easy acquiescence kicked a pulse of worry down his spine that lingered all the way to the airport. Once he had confirmation that his instructions had been carried out, he allowed himself to relax a touch.
She awakened long enough to get out of the car when they arrived at his plane. Swinging her into his arms, he strode up the stairs. Felt more tension leave him again as she curled into his chest. His plan was the right one.
In his grief and anger, he’d only seen things short term, a quick way to stop the agony of his loss. It was time to think long term.
Take-off was smooth, and they were halfway over the Atlantic by the time she woke up. From his armchair in the large cabin bedroom, he watched her sit up, push her silky hair back from her face. Warm, sleepy, beautiful, she blinked in the soft lamplight for a minute before she spotted him.
Her hand dropped from her hair, the deliberate action obscuring her face from him. Ramon forced himself to stay put. ‘Did you sleep well, belleza?’
‘I slept well.’ She looked down at herself, saw the half-slip she wore and tensed. ‘You undressed me?’ Her voice held the guardedness he’d been subjected to in varying forms for the last two weeks.
‘Sí, your dress was too restricting. I wanted to make you more comfortable.’
She nodded, still not looking at him. The tension he’d thought he’d talked himself out of ramped up his spine. Leaning forward on his elbows, he took a breath.
‘Suki, we need to talk.’
Her slim shoulders stiffened, the square inch of coverlet caught in her fingers twisting over and over. ‘So talk,’ she invited. But her voice lacked warmth, her throat working as she swallowed.
Dios, this was insane.
He’d faced some of the toughest negotiators in the world and hadn’t felt as nervous and out of his depth as he did right now. ‘It’s time to discuss our baby’s future. Our future,’ he said.
Her head snapped up, her eyes finding his. A deep, bruised wariness lurked in the blue depths and that drowning pain was back in his chest. Expanding.
‘We agreed we would discuss it after the baby was born. That’s months from now.’
He nodded. ‘I know, but—’
‘I won’t give up my baby!’ She was leaning forward, her chin jutting out in challenge as she placed one protective hand over her stomach. ‘You should know that right now. It’s non-negotiable. I will fight you in court for as long as I live, if need be.’
Her fierceness lit a fire in the cold, hard places in him. But that jealousy he’d felt earlier tonight reared its head. The knowledge that this time it was directed at his own child was shameful. But, sí, he wasn’t perfect. He wanted that fierceness for himself.
‘I’m not asking you to give him up. I’m asking that we join forces. That whatever platform we launch from, we do it together.’
She frowned, her fingers twisting even more frantically. He wanted to go to her, take those hands in his. Kiss her. Tell her about every insane emotion that prowled within him. But how could he, when he didn’t know it himself?
‘I’m sorry, Ramon. You lost me.’
He took a deep breath and rose. Partly because he couldn’t sit still any longer. Partly because he needed to be near her when he said the words. ‘I want to make this permanent. I want you to marry me.’