‘All right,’ she said. Straightening up, she lowered her arms. ‘I will stay, but only on mutually acceptable terms.’
He dipped his head to stare into her eyes. ‘You’re setting terms now?’
‘You bet I am,’ she told him. ‘What’s so funny?’ she asked. ‘Just because you’re not used to people standing up to you, doesn’t mean I’m willing to fall in line. I need to work to support myself and the baby, but I’m extremely keen to learn as much as I can about our child’s heritage, which is why I want to stay on in Qalala—at least while I’m on holiday from college.’
‘So, being with me has nothing to do with your decision?’
Frowning deeply, she remained silent.
Shaking his head slowly, he stared into Lucy’s fierce and determined eyes. She was as stubborn as he was. ‘You are, without doubt, the most annoying woman I have ever met.’
‘I would hate to come second,’ she said.
‘No chance of that.’ Nudging her inside the tent, he dismissed their attendants. ‘Sit,’ he instructed.
‘Sit yourself—or am I to be lectured like a child?’
Anything but a child, Lucy was a beautiful woman, who was carrying his baby, and he could think of no better mother. How to cope with Lucy’s spirit was a question for another day, but did he want to clip her wings? Could he offer her enough to make it worth her while to stay? Money didn’t interest her, so for once in his charmed life he wasn’t sure. ‘As I mentioned on the flight here, I have a proposition for you—and it’s something that doesn’t hang on you becoming my mistress.’
‘Well, that’s a relief,’ she said.
‘Allow me to pause while I take in your compliment.’
‘So, what is it?’ she said, green eyes narrowing with suspicion.
‘I’m offering you a job as part of my team in the sapphire division. You’d be paid the same as everyone else. Anything else is up to you.’
‘And, what would the job entail?’
‘Designing an exhibition for the best of the jewellery. I want to create a heritage museum here on site, as well as a touring exhibition.’
‘Quite a small job, then,’ she said dryly, but there was a distinct glint of interest in her eyes.
‘Quite insignificant,’ he agreed, acting stern.
‘I’d be a tiny cog in a huge wheel,’ she said thoughtfully.
‘Correct. But each cog has something unique to offer, and, without it, the smooth running of the machine cannot be guaranteed.’
‘You put it so persuasively,’ she observed dryly.
‘That was my intention,’ he confessed with the hint of a smile.
‘Are you serious?’ she asked. ‘I mean, this is like my dream job.’
‘Never more so. Why waste your education?’
‘If I agree, you can’t treat me as if I’m made of glass.’
‘I won’t hesitate to pass an opinion,’ he warned.
‘And neither will I,’ she countered with spirit.
‘I would expect nothing less of you.’ And, done with talking, he brought her into his arms.
‘You’ve got a cheek.’
‘Yes,’ he murmured. ‘And you have a beautiful body.’
‘When can I see the mine and the museum?’
‘When I say you can.’
‘And when will that be?’
‘You have to earn the privilege.’
As he held her still, she softened. ‘When can I begin?’ she asked, searching his eyes in a way that made him instantly hard.
‘Right now?’
They only had to look into each other’s eyes for understanding to spring between them. They were so well matched, and Lucy could always surprise him, he thought as she sank to her knees in front of him, not to bow in gratitude—oh, no, she’d never do that—but to wrap her mouth around him over the fine linen of his trousers until he couldn’t think straight.
‘Who’s in control now?’ she lifted her head to whisper.
Throwing his head back, he laughed, but shocked pleasure soon silenced him as she tightened her mouth around. Waves of sensation punched through him, and he groaned involuntarily as he opened his mouth to drag in some much-needed air. And this wasn’t all she had in mind. Her nimble fingers were soon working on the fastening at his waist, and she freed him in no time.
The heat of Lucy’s mouth on his engorged flesh was indescribable. Sufficient to say that the rasp of her tongue promised release like never before.
‘YOU NEED THIS...we both do...’
‘Witch,’ he groaned as Lucy took control.
‘Just to warn you, I’m no man’s mistress,’ she said as he laced his fingers through her hair to keep her close. ‘I’m doing this because I want to.’
‘Don’t I know it,’ he grated out.
Lucy’s husky tone betrayed her arousal, but this was on her terms, and the challenge she gave him never failed to arouse.
She carried out her threat with surprising skill, but when he remarked on this, she said, ‘I think I should know what you like by now.’
With a bellow of agony, he lifted her and dispensed with her clothes. Settling her onto him, he proved her right about them both needing this. Working furiously towards the inevitable conclusion, they brought each other to the edge efficiently, and within a few firm strokes they were plunged into pleasure so extreme it left them sated, and yet hungry for more.
‘Not tonight,’ Lucy said matter-of-factly. Sweeping up her clothes, she added, ‘I’ll give you my decision about the job tomorrow, after I’ve visited the sapphire mines, which will obviously impact on my decision to stay—so you’ll get that too.’
‘That’s a lot of giving,’ he commented as they locked eyes. ‘Give yourself first,’ he advised. ‘You’ll enjoy it, and it will help you sleep.’
She looked at him as if she couldn’t quite believe he could match her for detachment. Whatever it took, he thought as they stared at each other.
Breath rushed from her lungs as he swung her into his arms, and she yelped when he dropped her on the bed. ‘You’re a very bad man,’ she remarked with an expression that teased and tormented him.
‘That I am,’ he agreed. To pretend otherwise would mean a sleepless night for both of them, and what was the point in that?
Tadj was the most amazing lover. He made every part of her body sing, and he was right about her not being able to resist him. Why should she, when all she had to do was close her eyes and concentrate on pleasure? His steady breathing countering her hectic gasps made her all the more excited, and the crashing release that followed rocked her body and soul. She couldn’t chart the moment when extreme pleasure turned to exhaustion, and finally sleep, but when she woke in Tadj’s arms in the morning, it was the happiest moment of her life.
‘I love you,’ she whispered, safe in the knowledge that he was still fast asleep.