‘How is the girl you rescued?’
‘A painful pulled ligament. Thankfully, nothing more.’
‘And you’re okay?’ She searched his eyes.
‘Obviously.’
Why didn’t she believe him? Because the wounds Luc carried weren’t visible, Stacey concluded as he glanced at the exit.
‘I’m going to say goodnight to my guests,’ he explained, ‘and then I’m going to take you home. I’ve checked the girl’s parents are on their way, so there’s nothing more for me to do here except thank the staff and hold the door for you.’
‘I can stay in the hotel in the village,’ she protested. ‘People are leaving now the roads are clear.’
‘The gondolas are running too,’ Luc commented as they left the building, ignoring her last comment, ‘so no excuses. You’re coming with me.’
They needed to talk, she reasoned, so why not? Just because Luc was unconventional and unpredictable didn’t mean they couldn’t communicate successfully. Demanding clients were her stock in trade. How much harder could it be to discuss the future of their child with Luc?
After an extensive round of farewells, Stacey was able to wrap up the night with her team, and Luc led the way up the steps of the gondola station. ‘Come on,’ he encouraged. ‘We can have a car to ourselves.’
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her into an empty car just as the doors were closing.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
‘LUC—’ASTHEgondola started off she was thrown against him. Pressing her hands against his chest, she reminded him that they hadn’t even talked about the baby.
‘You’re well,’ he said, ‘and that’s all that matters.’
And then he closed off.
‘And those guests you couldn’t find to say goodnight to?’ she pressed, wanting some reaction from him.
‘I’ll see them at the airport tomorrow. Tonight is for you.’
For sex, she assumed. Not that she didn’t crave Luc’s body, but she wanted more from him. She had other concerns on her mind, notably an unborn child.
‘You’re taking a lot for granted,’ she observed, steadying herself on the hand rail.
‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I want to spend the night with you.’
Her pulse went crazy, but she had to accept that nothing had changed. How many times had they been together without Luc opening up? And she had to know the father of her child. They could be so close in so many ways, and complete strangers in others. He shut her out when she needed to be sure that Luc bore no resemblance to her own father. She couldn’t bear that. She wouldn’t bear it, and neither would her child. No infant should be shunned, and if Luc was incapable of expressing his feelings, then perhaps she should keep him at a distance. What was it in his past that had made him so insular? She was bad enough, but he was gold standard when it came to hiding his feelings. If she couldn’t find out tonight, what chance did she have?
‘We will talk?’ she pressed.
‘Of course we will,’ he promised.
‘When?’
‘Soon.’
‘Should I be satisfied with that?’
He raised a brow and smiled down, forcing her to realise that she had underestimated his devastating appeal. Luc only had to look at her a certain way for her scruples to vanish. ‘No, we can’t,’ she protested as he dragged her close.
‘Where does it say that in the rule book?’ he murmured. ‘You carry around a very heavy rule book, Señorita Winner, but it’s not one I care to read.’
‘Seriously, Lucas…’
‘I intend to be very serious indeed, as I’m dealing with an emergency situation.’
