Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she would be in this position. Living in a driver’s home, pretending to be in a relationship with him.Pretendingwas the important part. That’s why after enjoying Lukas’s passion in the lounge, she’d asked to be taken to her room.
This wasn’t a real relationship. They were doing this because they were backed into a corner and neither of them wanted to risk their careers. Anything more than that was simply an opportunity to indulge in some pleasure, but pleasure was all it was. Katherine didn’t want a relationship with anyone. She didn’t want to move in with anyone. Love was dangerous. Love derailed dreams and then what would she be left with? A life of mediocrity and unfulfillment while trying to convince herself that she was just fine? No, thanks.
She wasn’t her mother. Katherine wouldn’t let that happen to her.
But thoughts of her mother made her realise that her parents would have been unprepared for the wave of news announcing her relationship with Lukas. Last time she’d spoken to them she was assuring them that she’d never been in any danger in Lapland. That there was no truth to the rumours, and she’d promised to visit the first chance she got.
Katherine groaned and flopped back on the pillows.
She reached for her phone and just as she expected there were numerous calls and messages from both her parents. Well, only one from her father—the only one that made her feel guilty.
Why didn’t you tell us? You didn’t have to hide it. Take care of yourself, Kittykat. Enjoy Monaco.
He loved the sunshine, would love it here.
Isn’t it a pity that he’ll never meet Lukas?
Yes. No. It wasn’t a real relationship, so no, it wasn’t a pity.
I have no family to spend it with.
Her father would never let Lukas feel so alone. He didn’t let her feel alone.
For twenty weekends in a year, that was.
‘No! Stop it, Katherine,’ she ordered herself and got out of bed. Her phone lighting up as she did so.
It was a message from Robert.
Scott isn’t happy that you two are hiding out in Monaco. I suggest getting out for some ‘in public’ time.
Scott Courteney being unhappy wasn’t a good thing for her, so Katherine went down to the lower level—she had found out it contained the kitchen, two dining areas, a lounge and a home theatre, which was a lot of space to entertain for a man so alone—barefoot in her satin pyjamas. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee led her to the kitchen where Lukas was shirtless and sweaty in a pair of grey track pants hanging low on his hips, downing a bottle of water. Drop after drop of perspiration ran down his carved torso to the band of his pants where they were wicked by the fabric. Heat rushed to Katherine’s face. A tightening in her core.
‘Good morning.’ There was a teasing lilt to his voice. Obviously he’d caught her staring. She did that a lot but honestly, how could she not when he looked like a fantasy given life?
‘Would you like some coffee? I don’t have any tea. I wasn’t expecting guests.’
‘Do you ever?’ She walked up to him and curled her hands in the fabric of his pants, giving him the smallest of kisses, growing satisfied at his gasp. It was only fair to level the playing field.
‘Not in recent years,’ he admitted.
How lonely.
‘I have a life, Katherine. I just don’t like bringing the world into my sanctuary.’
‘But you brought me here.’
‘I did.’ He said nothing else. Instead, he reached for a cup and poured her a coffee. It wasn’t how she normally started her day, but she had always loved coffee. She developed the habit of drinking tea because that was what everyone else in her home preferred growing up and she didn’t want to be demanding, so she had made do. Now starting her day with a cup of tea was habit.
‘Robert messaged me, they want us to go out in public today.’ She sipped the coffee, relishing the comforting warmth. It wasn’t overly bitter, and she could taste notes of dark chocolate and caramel. It was delicious.
‘I expected as much. It’s a good thing I already had a plan, then, isn’t it?’
‘Oh? And what’s that?’
‘Get dressed and I’ll show you.’
Lukas’s plan was strutting down a street. Maybe that wasn’t completely fair. They walked hand in hand down the most high-end street in Carré d’Or. Haute couture brands lined up everywhere she looked. Lukas had taken her shopping—a normally mundane outing yet with him it was anything but. Her heart hadn’t found a steady rhythm since he’d held her hand. It was made even worse by the kiss he had given her outside a world-famous bag boutique that had rendered her light-headed. From one store to the next he had spoilt her. Something that wasn’t spoken about in their agreement, but she had also never seen him in such a good mood and it made her wonder if he enjoyed taking care of people.
