Chapter Ten
ADAM RETURNED FROM dealing with the condom and paused beside the bed. Gisèle’s hair splayed, tangled, across the pillow. But it was the only hint of their earlier abandonment. She lay neatly on her side, one hand beneath the pillow, her knees slightly bent. As if even in sleep she was self-contained.
As if she didn’t need him.
His pulse kicked and discomfort was a wave washing his bare skin. He didn’t know why but the idea appalled.
He hesitated. With any other lover he’d slide in beside her and gather her close. There’d be more sex before morning arrived.
He raked his hair, blunt nails scratching his scalp in an effort to get his brain working. But it wouldn’t. It was stuck on the fact she’d been a virgin.
A virgin!
The soignée spokeswoman leading one of the world’s most elite companies.
The sexy woman who’d stirred his libido in a short film clip viewed half a world away.
The woman he’d lusted after for weeks. Who’d given him one of the most spectacular sexual experiences of his life. Who wore the reddened mark of beard rash on her throat from his stubble. It dismayed him that he’d hurt her, however inadvertently. Yet he couldn’t deny secret satisfaction, seeing that mark.
‘If you don’t want to come back to bed,’ said a small voice, ‘that’s okay.’
Her eyes were misty grey slits in the lamplight. Instantly Adam sat, brushing her hair off her face, needing to see her expression.
And because he couldn’t resist touching her.
With her satiny hair, soft skin and velvety embrace, she was the epitome of femininity. Yet she was strong, her lithe body a perfect match for his, and her mind... She was a woman to be reckoned with.
‘I want nothing more than to share the bed with you,’ he admitted in a gravel voice. ‘But I wondered if you wanted privacy.’
Their eyes met and familiar heat blasted him. He breathed deep and slow, willing away his too-ready erection.
Gisèle lifted the covers and wriggled back across the bed. He got in, gritting his teeth as she snuggled against his side, the weight of her breasts against him, the down at the apex of her thighs tickling his hip when she lifted one smooth thigh over his.
He shifted, trying to distract himself from her innocently arousing touch. Frantic, he turned his brain to the financial implications of another deal he was considering. But profits, losses and turnover couldn’t compete with Gisèle, naked and nubile.
She moved her head against his shoulder, her lips brushing his skin and making his molars clench with the effort of not reacting. ‘What’s the cologne you wear?’
‘Sorry?’ He was battling arousal and she was asking about colognes?
‘Your scent. Is it soap or aftershave? But then you haven’t shaved.’ Her voice was rushed and breathless and the penny dropped that she was nervous and filling the silence. His heart squeezed. Post-coital small talk was new to Gisèle. He didn’t know if that made him pleased or ashamed. ‘I’ve been wondering since we met. I know most colognes but can’t place yours.’
Adam stroked her shoulder. ‘I don’t wear cologne. As for soap, it’s whatever I find in the bathroom.’
‘It’s not a manufactured scent?’
‘My mother and sister are the ones who wear perfume. Not me.’ He could imagine the reaction if he’d turned up to work on a building site or in a haulage yard years ago, doused in cologne. He tilted his head, trying to read her expression. ‘Is that a problem?’
‘Only that I’ve been going crazy trying to identify it.’ Her huff of laughter was warm on his chest. ‘You smell...good.’
‘Is that a compliment, Ms Fontaine?’
‘It could be, Mr Wilde.’
Adam breathed out, some of his tension easing. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, Gisèle?’
Immediately she stiffened and he turned his head, pressing a kiss to her hair. He disliked it when she tensed. That was when she put up barriers.
‘That I was inexperienced? Why do you think? I didn’t want you stopping. I thought if I told you, you wouldn’t be interested.’
Adam couldn’t prevent his bark of laughter. ‘For an intelligent woman you don’t know much about the male libido. Not interested! Didn’t I admit I’ve been so interested I’ve carried condoms everywhere I go?’
Gisèle shrugged, the movement making her breasts slide against him. His laugh died as he reminded himself she definitely wasn’t ready for more.
‘It never occurred to me that you had no experience.’
That bothered him. Not only about tonight, but the way he’d pursued her, cutting off her options, giving her little choice but to be wooed by him. If he let himself think about that—
‘It’s not surprising.’ Her voice was light but he heard the strain. ‘Given my first sexual experience ended badly.’
‘There must have been other men who attracted you.’
Adam’s teeth snapped closed at the thought. He hated the idea of her desiring any man but him.
How ridiculous was that, in the circumstances?
‘Maybe. But not enough.’ She rested her hand in his ribcage. ‘You think I’m a coward, don’t you?’
He covered her hand with his then lifted it to his mouth, kissing it gently. ‘Not at all. You’d had a bad experience.’
‘Bad experiences, plural. That recording was just the final straw.’ She shook her head, her hair tickling his chin. ‘You’ve no idea what it was like growing up constantly judged and found wanting in public. The press loved nothing better than to snap a photo of me with acne or a few extra kilos, or looking awkward or shy. They’d print side-by-side photos of my mother at some glamorous party and me looking fat and frumpy. There’d be columns devoted to my lack of style or how plain I was.’
Adam’s grip tightened on her hand, his gut clenching. The dossier he’d read had summarised her early years. He hadn’t seen those poisonous pieces. ‘That’s appalling.’
‘That was my life. Judged and found wanting. I grew used to rejection and not being good enough. Combine that with a guy seducing me so he could share a tape of me naked and—’
‘I understand!’
Adam didn’t need to hear more. He felt sick to the stomach. Gisèle had been abused in so many ways.
Then you came along like a knight in shining armour, didn’t you? What right have you to feel appalled, when you’re using her for your own ends?
He told himself he’d been upfront with her. She’d had the choice to walk away. He’d been straight down the line with her.
Yet Adam’s skin felt too tight for his body. His heart thundered. Every muscle tensed and he tasted metal on his tongue. Regret? Guilt?
He held her close, unable even now to drag himself away and leave her alone.
But there was one thing he could do.
‘You don’t still compare yourself with your mother, do you?’
‘Not any more.’
She didn’t sound convincing and pain pierced him.
Adam rolled onto his side to face her, wrapping both arms around her. ‘Your mother was a very beautiful woman. If you like predictable sweetness.’
‘Sorry? Predictable?’
‘Nothing wrong with that. Clearly the cameras loved her. But I prefer a different kind of beauty. Something deeper and more honest than mere prettiness.’
Gisèle struggled to prop herself up on an elbow, looking down at him. ‘You’re talking rubbish. Is this you feeling sorry for me and trying to make me feel better? My mother was one of the most beautiful women in the world.’
Gisèle’s eyes flashed, her cheeks were flushed and her lips formed a pout of disapproval that was the single most alluring thing he’d ever seen. Guilt forgotten, his body reacted with a rush of adrenaline and a surge of blood to the groin.
‘I’m telling the truth. You can trust me for that.’ He was regularly dubbed brash, rude or a maverick because he favoured blunt honesty to sugar-coated half-truths or downright lies. ‘Your mother was gorgeous and so are you. But personally I find a pinch of spice more appealing than a bowl of sugar. Her beauty was real but...predictable. Yours has depth and power. If you don’t believe me, pay more attention next time you do a press conference. Look into the eyes of the men there and you’ll see what I mean. You’re beautiful, Gisèle.’
Beautiful, he’d called her.
Could she believe him?
Something needy and eager had twisted inside her. Even if it had only been an attempt to make her feel good, it had worked. Not because she wanted to be beautiful—she’d stopped fretting over that years ago. But because it showed Adam cared. It surprised her how much that meant. How moved she was by his consideration.
Gisèle looked across the conference table to where he sat, listening to the presentation, willing him to turn and smile at her. She wanted to see his eyes soften as they had last night.
But since entering the conference room there’d been no sign of last night’s tender lover. No shimmer of admiration in his eyes. He’d avoided looking at her and had taken his usual seat on the other side, surrounded by his team.
She’d never felt the distance between them more.
She told herself Adam was treating her as a professional in a professional situation. Yet it wasn’t just in the meeting. There’d been a change earlier.
In the dawn light she’d turned to him, snuggling close and brushing her lips across his flesh, hoping to tempt him into sex again. Their first time had been magnificent and she was eager to try it again.
But Adam had mumbled something and rolled away, leaving her staring at the wide angle of his shoulders and smooth back.
Gisèle had been sure he was awake.
A woman more confident in her sex appeal would have shaken him awake, if he weren’t already, and seduced him. She’d been tempted, but physical intimacy was so new...
And you still doubt yourself.
It was frustrating but true. It took more than one profoundly beautiful, erotic experience to change a lifetime’s thinking.
Later she’d woken alone. Adam was long gone, judging by the cool sheets. He’d left a note saying he didn’t want to disturb her and he’d understand if she stayed in bed rather than attending the meeting.
So much for breakfasting together in bed, lingering there for more pleasure.
She’d checked the time, shot out of bed and into the shower. There’d been just enough time to gulp down a croissant and coffee before leaving.
The one bright spot had been Adam’s reaction as she walked into his suite on the way to the car. His eyes had lit up and there’d been no mistaking his pleasure or the heat in that brilliant stare.
She’d crossed the room in her tailored suit and kissed him, sinking into his tall frame and feeling her tense muscles ease as he’d pulled her close and kissed her back with a fervour that made her head spin.
In his arms she hadn’t felt like a businesswoman or a commercial asset acquired to enhance profits. She felt desirable and appreciated. Powerful.
Except moments later he’d pulled away, murmuring about the time and the urgent call he needed to make on the way.
They’d spent the drive on opposite sides of the limo’s wide back seat, Adam deep in discussion on his phone. Only his long fingers around hers on the seat between them had eased the creeping feeling that something had gone wrong between them.
Now, watching him across the table, the idea intensified. He was so determinedly not looking at her.
He turned and their eyes met, and it was like it had been last night. The world fell away and they might have been completely alone. Heat ignited in her pelvis, making her wriggle in her seat. Any pretence that she was listening to the speaker at the other end of the table died.
For long moments their gazes locked. Did she imagine heat streaking his cheekbones? A hungry glitter in his eyes?
Her pulse quickened and her nipples budded against her silk shirt.
‘We need to call a break.’ Adam looked directly at her so she thought he spoke to her. Then he turned, addressing the others around the table. ‘The meeting will resume in fifteen minutes.’
There were surprised murmurs but no objections. Who would dare defy Adam Wilde? People pushed back their chairs and stretched stiff muscles.
Adam leaned towards one of his staff members, saying something Gisèle couldn’t catch. The other man nodded, frowning, then took out his phone and strode to the door.
What had she missed? Something had changed as she sat daydreaming about Adam and what they’d shared. Mentally she shook herself. She’d fought hard for the House of Fontaine, she couldn’t afford to be distracted now.
Gisèle rose but, before she could walk around the table, Adam exited the room.
Her way was blocked by her own staff, wanting to check details and propose a compromise approach. By the time she made it out of the room, she couldn’t see Adam. Just two of his staff in conversation, their backs to her.
‘It’s so out of character,’ one said. ‘He never deals with the minutiae. In five years I’ve never seen him personally manage a takeover at this level. That’s what he pays us for.’
The other nodded. ‘When he said he was going to attend a discussion on performance appraisal I couldn’t believe it. It’s not surprising that...’
The woman’s words petered out as Gisèle approached.
What wasn’t surprising? And why was the Fontaine takeover so different to any of Adam’s previous ones?
‘Mr Wilde?’ she asked.
The Australian pointed down the corridor. ‘In the small conference room, Ms Fontaine. I believe he’s making a call.’
If that was meant to stop her following, it didn’t. She rapped on the door, opening it without waiting for a response.
Adam was on his phone. He watched her enter, his expression giving nothing away. He might have been watching a stranger.
She rubbed her upper arms, suddenly cold. He didn’t look like the man who’d taken her to the stars last night. Who’d kissed her briefly yet passionately this morning, then held her hand all the way to their meeting.
He looked like the autocratic stranger she’d met weeks ago.
Adam ended the call and put his phone away. Gisèle didn’t wait for him to speak but strode into his personal space.
‘What is it? What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing’s wrong.’
Her jangling nerves told a different story. She knew it was sex they’d shared last night, not a promise of lasting devotion. Yet she’d expected at least a shadow of last night’s intimacy now they were alone.
He lifted his broad shoulders. ‘Okay, not wrong. But something’s come up. I need to go to New York today. Now.’
‘What about our negotiations?’
Forget the negotiations! What about us?
But a lifetime of guarding her tongue stopped the words.
Was there an us? Or had last night been a one-off?
Gisèle backed up a step, arms wrapping around her middle as pain bloomed deep within.
As if reading her hurt, Adam followed, the warmth of his tall frame engulfing her as he moved into her space. Yet she felt cold, for still he didn’t reach for her.
‘I’m sorry, Gisèle. It’s important.’
More important than me? Us?
She bit her lip rather than blurt out needy questions. ‘I see. You have important business in New York. And Fontaine’s? Our meetings?’
For a long time Adam said nothing. Strangely he looked as tense as she felt. She saw the tendons stand proud in his throat and the rapid tick of a pulse at his temple. As if he were stressed. Then his chest rose and fell on a drawn-out sigh and his hands curled around her upper arms, pulling her hard against him.
Gisèle’s eyes closed as she leaned into him, drawing in his unique scent and feeling herself relax as his breath brushed her face.
This was what she wanted! What she’d missed.
His hand swept from her nape to her waist then to her buttocks, pulling her closer. Sparks ignited. There was no mistaking his erection pressing against her abdomen.
So Adam wasn’t immune. He wanted her as badly as she craved him. It was there in every taut sinew and bunched muscle. In the stream of whispered words feathering her ears. Words of seductive promise and pure need.
The magnate disappeared, replaced by her lover, and she rejoiced.
Gisèle tilted her head up, sliding her hands around his neck, offering her mouth as his head lowered. It had only been a few hours but she’d missed him, missed this intimacy.
Someone coughed behind her. Then coughed again.
‘Sorry boss, but you said...’
Adam tilted his head so his forehead touched hers. He huffed a frustrated sigh and muttered what sounded like a curse. His shoulders rose and fell, then he lifted his head, but not before feathering her mouth with his, making her lips tingle.
‘I’m on my way.’
The door closed and they stood, both breathing heavily. Adam’s arms encompassed her and she felt the ponderous thud of his pulse against her hand at his throat.
‘I need to go,’ he said finally. ‘My plane’s waiting. But we’ll talk later.’
Adam dropped his arms and stepped away and she felt abruptly cold. How could he do that? Go from heated arousal to businesslike in an instant?
Gisèle’s head was spinning. Maybe if last night hadn’t been the first time she’d slept with a man she’d be able to switch from business to sex to business too.
She lifted her chin and tried to pretend she was as clear-headed as he. ‘And the performance evaluation process? That hasn’t been agreed.’
‘It was a convincing presentation. I’ll instruct my team to accept your recommendation.’
Gisèle stared. ‘Just like that?’ It had been contentious from the beginning.
Their eyes met and the air sizzled with something that had absolutely nothing to do with business.
‘If it works as you say, then good. If it doesn’t, we’ll scrap it. Now...’ he looked at the phone that was once again in his hand ‘... I need to go.’ He met her gaze and something shifted in his expression. ‘I’m sorry, Gisèle. I don’t want to leave you. But this is...necessary. I’ll call tonight.’
She opened and shut her mouth, stunned that he was walking out of these meetings when he’d been the one to insist on delving into every aspect of the company. But it wasn’t just the company that concerned her.
‘We’re supposed to marry in a few days.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll be back in good time.’
Then he was gone, leaving her bereft and confused. Adam had upended her life into a whirlwind of meetings and glamorous events where the one constant was him at her side.
Heat suffused her as she remembered last night.
Now, suddenly, his priorities had changed.
Had he lost enthusiasm for Fontaine’s? For her?
Yet he’d said he didn’t want to leave. Said he’d be back for the wedding.
What was the sudden crisis?
How had Adam known about it before he left the meeting? He’d had his phone off. She’d been watching him. There’d been no message passed by a staff member. No whisper, note or text.
Gisèle placed her palms on her churning belly. Was New York an excuse to get away from France and her?
It seemed impossible after last night. But she couldn’t shake the idea.
Despite what he said, maybe he was cooling on marriage. Maybe now they’d had sex the novelty had worn off. Her skin crawled and she told herself Adam wasn’t like that.
But how well do you really know him?
She tried to summon excitement at the prospect of their marriage of convenience being cancelled. But all she felt was a dull, heavy sense of anti-climax. What was wrong with her?