Modern Romance July 2015 Books 5-8. Louise Fuller

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СКАЧАТЬ went into the bathroom and undressed. She put on a small nightdress and took a few calming breaths before heading out.

      Luka wasn’t about to scuttle off to the bathroom to change and was still stripping off as she slipped into bed.

      ‘He wants this party.’

      ‘Then he can have one. I will call Matteo,’ Luka said. ‘I’ll ask him to fly in.’

      ‘He might let it slip that we haven’t been together very long.’

      ‘Why would he let it slip?’ Luka frowned. ‘Matteo knows what is going on, he’s a good friend. He knows that this is all just a ruse.’

      ‘You’ve told him?’

      ‘Why wouldn’t I tell him, Sophie? We work together, we are in business together, we grew up together. I don’t keep secrets from people who matter to me any more.’

      ‘I could ask Bella.’

      ‘Whatever you want. I’ll ring him now.’

      ‘But it’s nearly midnight.’

      ‘Yes,’ Luka snapped. ‘I’m early to bed tonight.’

      ‘Can you go one hour without reminding me about your active sex life?’

      ‘Why does it bother you so much, Sophie?’

      She didn’t answer.

      Luka laughed at her non-reaction and got into bed. He called Matteo and lay chatting to his friend. Yes, it was hell being engaged, he told him, and then he was serious.

      ‘We’re going to have a small party for Paulo,’ Luka said. ‘Will you be able to fly in? Sophie might ask Bella...’ There was a pause before Luka spoke again. ‘Of course it’s not a problem. Bring anyone you choose.’

      He hung up.

      ‘He can only make it tomorrow,’ Luka said.

      ‘Tomorrow?’

      ‘He has an important meeting to prepare for in Dubai. Is tomorrow a problem?’

      ‘Of course not.’

      ‘Oh, and he’s bringing his girlfriend.’

      Sophie decided against asking Bella. She knew how crushed she be to see Matteo with another woman.

      ‘I’ll keep it simple,’ Sophie said, thinking, as she always had to, about money. ‘I might just make his favourite meals...’

      ‘Get it catered,’ Luka said. ‘Today was an exception. I understand you wanted to give him a taste of home tonight but I’m telling you this much—if you were my fiancée you wouldn’t have spent the day slaving and making sauce when there are the best restaurants across the street. Get someone to come and dress the garden and organise the music...’ He stopped then. ‘Sorry, I forget that you’re an events organiser.’

      Sophie was sure he knew she’d been lying.

      ‘Is he driving you mad yet?’ Luka asked, and Sophie gave a reluctant smile, because her father was driving her a little crazy. ‘Are you starting to remember why you were only too willing to leave?’

      ‘A bit,’ Sophie admitted. ‘I am sick of him saying I am just like my mother.’

      ‘She had him under her thumb,’ Luka said.

      They lay in bed and it felt impossibly awkward, or at least it did for Sophie. Luka seemed completely fine with it. His hand was beneath the sheet and she blinked when she realised he was arranging himself in his underwear, then he saw her shocked look but merely shrugged.

      ‘I’ve got an erection. I’m just moving it.’ He grinned at her shocked expression. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to come near you.’

      ‘You’re in a very good mood.’

      ‘I know,’ Luka said. ‘I thought it would be hell but I’m really enjoying myself. I like seeing your father free and I love watching you edgy and able to do nothing about it.’

      Then he did the cruellest thing.

      He kissed her on the tip of her nose and two minutes later he was asleep.

       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

      LUKA WOKE UP AND for the first morning in his life it was the right face on the pillow next to him.

      He examined her beautiful face and he looked at where one breast had fallen out of her nightdress. Their legs were loosely entwined, hers over one of his and beneath the other.

      She was loyal, she was fierce and she matched him.

      He knew their dance, even if it had only been a short one.

      He knew the steps, for their souls were familiar.

      And she would never forgive him for what his father had done.

      If she did, it wouldn’t be for long. In the heat of the moment his father’s sins would be raised and then hurled at him in her, oh, so Sicilian way.

      And he would not live like that.

      He wished it were different.

      If he could change one thing about her, would he, though?

      It would be like trimming the corner off a work of art, or like removing one letter from the alphabet and watching one’s words fall apart.

      ‘Why are you staring at me?’ Sophie asked as her brown eyes opened to his.

      ‘Because you’re in my bed and there is not much else to look at.’ Then his eyes drifted down to her exposed breast and he gave a lazy smile as she tucked herself in.

      ‘See,’ Luka said, ‘it’s rude when I rearrange myself, but not when you do.’

      ‘Hard again, Luka?’ Sophie smiled.

      ‘That’s for me to know,’ Luka answered, and didn’t even roll over as she climbed out of bed and went to her wardrobe.

      She had no idea what to wear. Bella had made her plenty of stunning clothes but none were very practical for making coffee so instead she took out one of his shirts.

      ‘How’s the phobia?’ Luka asked. ‘Last time you put on one of my shirts there were ten policemen in the bedroom. You seem remarkably calm—no flashbacks?’

      She didn’t bother answering him. Instead, she went to make coffee and didn’t look up when Luka came through. He was wearing a suit and looked ready for the office.

      ‘I thought you’d take today off.’

      ‘No.’

СКАЧАТЬ