Chapter 1
Immaculate glanced up from her desk automatically when the door to the letting agency was opened and then froze in her chair.
It was like a dream, a dream she had many times. He strode inside, the wet and the cold of New York evening swirling around him like a great black cape.
She found herself around her feet without knowing she was meant to move, her hands splayed down in front of her as she she could ward him off- keep him from even stepping further into the small office . Into her life where she could not, would not allow him to be again.
“There you are, he said in a deep, commanding voice, as if he had satisfied himself by simply laying cold eyes upon her,as if unaccountable, he had been looking for her.
Immaculate heart thudded against her rip as her heart spun. Was he an apparition, five years later? Was she dreaming.
Denis, she said, as if naming the dream could dispels it. But Denise willam did not look like a dream. He was nothing so insubstantial, or easily forgotten in the light of the day. When she had known him he had claimed to be no more than a wealthy, overindulged member of the society elite class, she knew that he was now its ruler. She hated that she knew, as if that knowledge was written across her face and might suggest to him that she had followed his every move across the years, when the truth was, she had wanted only to forget him.
But she could not seem to pull her gaze from him.
Immaculate found out all this years she could remember every details about Denise perfectly, shocking celerity, even as the evidence before her made it clear that he was far better, far much more than she had allowed herself to recall, his features was harder, more impenetrable. He was more of a man, somehow it seemed impossible.
Immaculate tried to concentrate on the danger. It didn’t matter that her heart leaped when she saw him, even now. What mattered was the secret she knew she must keep from him. She had foolishly began to hope that this particular day of reckoning would never come. She looked at him now, cleared eyed thanks to her shock, though that was not the improvement she might have hoped for
He closed the door behind him, the catch clicking softly on the doorjamb. It sounded to Immaculate as loud as a gunshot, and she almost flinched away from it. She could not allow herself to be weak. Not with so much at stake! Because he must know what happened. There could no be no other reason for his appearance like this, here in the forgotten back street of New York at an office far beneath his imperial notice.
He must know.
With the door closed, the noise of the evening rush in New York’s pedestrians center disappeared , leaving them enclosed in tensed, uncomfortable silence. The office was too small, and felt tinier by the moment. Immaculate hear hammered against her chest. Panic dug sharp claws into her side. Denise seemed to loom over her, surround her, simply by standing inside the door.
He did not sleep again, he held her gaze with his, daring her to look away. Challenging her. He was effortlessly commanding even in silence. Arrogant. Fierce.
He was not the easy going playboy she remembered, gone was his quick smile, his lazy smile. This man was not to be trifled with. “You cannot be here.
And yet I’m here, it’s nice to see you again. Immaculate, “ Denis said with a dangerous politeness that did not conceal the ruthlessness beneath.
“I’m afraid I can’t say the same, she replied coolly. Because she had a spine. She needed to get rid of him, and certain he never returned, their past was far too complicated to ever be brought out into the present. You are the last person I would ever wish to see again. If you go away quickly I will pretend it never happened.”
Xenia’s eyes seem to sharpened. He thrust his long elegant hands in the pocket of his trousers with casualness immaculate could not quite believe. The Denise she had known had been nonchalant, at ease, but that man had never existed, had he?
I see the years have sharpened your tongue.” He considered her, what else had changed?”
I have changed, Immaculate said glaring at him, deciding that an offense was better than any defense she might try to throw up against this strangely familiar man, who was much more like a steel than the lover she remembered. “It’s called growing up, she lifted her chin in defiance, and could feel her hand ball into fists at her side. “I’m no longer likely to beg for anyone’s attentions not anymore.
She did not see him move, but she had the sense that he tensed, as if readying himself for a battle. She braced herself, but he only watched her. Something too ruthless to be a smile appeared in the corner of his mouth.
“I do not recall a single instance of you begging. Denis replied, an edge in his dark voice. Unless you mean in my bed.” He let that hang there. As if daring her to remember. Mute. Immaculate stared back at him.” But if you wish to reenact some such scene, by all means do.
“I think not, she gritted out from between her teeth. She would not think about his bed, or what she had done in it. She would not. My days of clinging to Billionaire playboys are over.
She felt the air tightened between them. His dark green eyes narrowed, and once again, she was reminded that he was not a regular man. He was not even the man she had once known. He was too wide, too unmanageable, and she was a fool to underestimate him or overestimate herself. Her weakness where he was concerned was legendary and humiliating, and should have left her when he had.
But she could feel it, feel him throughout her body like nothing had changed, even though everything had, like he still owned and controlled her effortlessly and carelessly as he had years before.
She had hunted him,and Denise—- was not a man who belies in ghosts. He stared at the woman who had tortured him for years, no matter where he went or with whom. He was right to have come here. To have faced this woman finally. Even as she call him names and continue to defy him, just as she had done so long before. His mouth twisted in a hard smile. He knew that he should be furious that she wished to keep him at arm length, but she dare to poke at him as if he were some insipid weakling. He knew that he should be ashamed that he Denise William had come crawling back to the only woman who had ever dared abandond him. The only woman he had ever missed. Who stood before him now in an ugly suit that did not hid her beauty or lushness, unwelcoming and cold instead of pleases to see him again. He should be enraged at the insult.
But, instead he wanted her.
It was that simple, that consuming. He had finally stopped fighting it.
One look at the curvy body he still reaches for in his sleep, her eyes still wide of cinnamon color, her sinful lickable mouth,and he was hard ready.
“A pathetic playboy I am?” He asked keeping his voice his tone light though he could not disguise the intent below.
Temper rose in her cheeks, I can’t imagine what that means, she snapped, it is not an accusation, it’s the truth, it’s who you are.
Denis watched her for a moment. She had no idea how deep he regretted his past life. He had fought against her hold on him for many years, told himself he only remembered her because she had left him, that he would have left her himself if given the opportunity, as he had left countless other women.
Still, here he was.
“It means that if am a playboy, you by definition becomes one of my plaything, are you not? He asked, he enjoyed the flash of temper he saw in her face much more than he should have. Does the description distress you?”
I’m not at all surprised to hear you call me a plaything, but I was never yours.”
A fact you made abundantly clear five years ago, he said dryly though he doubted she would mistake the edge beneath. Indeed, She stiffened, But is this any way for old friends to greet each other after such a long time?” He crossed the room until only the flimsy barrier of her desk stood between them.
“Friends she echoed. Shaking her head slightly. “Is that what we were?
Only a few feet separated them, not even the length of his arm, she swallowed nervously. Denise smiled, it was as he remembered. She still looked the same, copper curls, and cinnamon eyes, freckles across the nose and a wicked suggestive mouth made entirely for sin. And she was still susceptible to him, even from across the a desk.
What do you suggest?” She asked, her delicate eyebrow arched up, and that sensual mouth firmed. Shall we nip out for a coffee? Talk about old times? I think I will pass.
I am devastated he said watching her closely. My former lovers are generally far more receptive.”
She didn’t like that, the flush in her cheeks deepened. Why are you here Denise? She asked in a crisp no nonsense voice that both irritated and aroused him. She crossed her arms over her chest.” Are you looking to rent a flat in New York? If so you can return when the agents are in, so they might help you. I’m afraid they are both out with clients, and am only the office manager.”
“Why do you think am here? Immaculate.
He studied her face, letting the question hang there between them. He wanted to see her reaction.”
I can’t imagine any reason at all for you to be here. You should go now. Or better still you want to tell me what you want?”
“You, he said smiling. I want you.
Me?” Immaculate was taken back.
“Of course am here for you, he said, his eyes hot.
Five year ago you couldn’t get away from me fast enough, Immaculate pointed out. Now apparently you have scourged the whole of New York to find me, you will forgive me if I can’t quiet get my head around the dramatic change in your behavior.
You must have me confused with someone else, Denis said, you are the one who disappeared. Immaculate not me.
Immaculate blinked at him, for a moment she had no idea what he was talking about, but then of course the past came rushing back. She had gone to the doctor for a routine check only to discover she was pregnant. Pregnant. She had had no illusion that Denise could have welcomed the news. She had known he won’t. She had needed to get away from him for a few days to pull herself together, to think what she might do while not under his spell his presence seemed to cast around her.
Perhaps she hadn’t phoned him, but she hadn’t left him.
“What are you talking about? I was not the one who fled the country.
His mouth tightened. You said you were going to the doctor then you disappeared. You were gone for days, and then yes I left the country if that is what you call it.
“I came back, Immaculate said. Her voice was low with pain. But you didn’t.
“You would have heard if my uncle’s death. Denise said. His gaze hooded. His tone was light.
“Yes, she said struggling to match his tone. It was all in the paper right after you left. It was such a terrible accident. Imagine my surprise when I learnt the man I had known simply as the son of a doctor as it happened, the heir of Willam’s empire and a billionaire.
