But then there was another part of him that wanted to possess her, body and soul. He’d gotten just a taste of sweet Miss Celine Santini and he desperately wanted more…
CHAPTER FOUR
Celine sat up in the bed and twisted the blankets in her hands. She stared at the curtains blowing softly by her window. After that episode last night how was she going to face Pierce?
She could hardly recall how it started. All she remembered was finding herself in Pierce’s arms then he was kissing her and then she was lost. Pierce had expertly awakened her body to a sensual symphony played by his hands, his lips, his body, so powerful and vibrant to her touch. He’d kissed her lips till she melted in his embrace. Thank God Kylie walked in when she did. Somehow deep in her heart Celine knew that if the spell had not been broken she would have been powerless to resist him.
Taking a deep breath Celine summoned her courage and climbed out of bed. It was Sunday and there would be no Mrs. Simpson to fix breakfast for Kylie so she needed to be up and ready to face the day. Like it or not, she would have to face Pierce D’Amato.
When Celine went downstairs with Kylie the man who dominated her thoughts was already sitting at the table, cup in hand, reading what looked like the New York Times on his iPad. He turned around as they walked in.
“ Hello, Miss Bright Eyes,” he said with a smile then set the cup down and opened his arms to give Kylie a Good morning hug. He kissed the top of her head then still smiling, he raised his eyes to Celine who hung back, keeping a few feet of distance between them. His smile seemed innocent enough but in them was a look that made Celine squirm.
So he was remembering, too. That much was obvious from his look. But where she felt shame at her behavior, at how easily she’d fallen under the spell of his seductive caress, he seemed pleased. There was not a hint of regret in his eyes.
Celine didn’t know whether to feel angry at his lack of shame or flattered. This was all so confusing. She dropped her eyes and walked over to the stove, anxious to find something to do, anything to keep her from having to meet his eyes again.
“Good morning, Celine.”
With his greeting Pierce forced her to turn her attention back to him. She pasted a smile on her lips. “Good morning,” she said and glanced at him then quickly turned back to her task, painfully aware of his eyes trained on her. Furtively she took a quick breath then exhaled slowly, trying to calm her jangling nerves. How was she going to survive a day in his company?
Celine breathed a sigh of relief when Pierce engaged Kylie in conversation. They began a serious discussion about the merits of each of her toys and which would make the best friend of all, Barbie or Elmo or The Little Mermaid. Celine fixed Kylie’s oatmeal and within minutes she’d set her cereal, orange juice and banana on the table.
Only then did she turn her eyes to Pierce. “What would you like?” she asked, her voice a lot more controlled and calm than she felt.
Pierce stared back at her, his look enigmatic, but there was a curl to his lips that told her he was reading far more into her question than she’d meant.
She felt the heat rise to her face and she was turning away, trying to hide her distress, when he spoke.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he said then gave a soft chuckle which was not lost on her.
Celine struggled through a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with Pierce. It was difficult sitting right across from him, trying all that time to avoid his eyes. Thank goodness Kylie was there to entertain them.
When she’d collected the dishes and she stacked them in the machine then sighed with relief. Breakfast was over. Now she could escape.
“So what would you like to do today, Princess?” Pierce’s words broke into her thoughts. “I’m all yours.”
“Swimming,” Kylie yelled and clapped her hands in delight. “I love swimming.”
Pierce chuckled. “I would never have guessed.” He looked over at Celine as she stood by the sink. “What say we meet at the pool in about forty-five minutes?”
Celine nodded. “I’ll have her ready. That would be more than enough time for her breakfast to settle.”
Pierce cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean, you’ll have her ready? You mean you’ll both be ready.”
Celine stared at him. He wanted her in the pool with them, he in nothing but swim trunks and she in bathing suit exposed to his gaze? How would she keep her eyes off him? After last night, knowing what it felt like to have those broad shoulders beneath her palms, his warm skin pressed against hers, how would she stay calm so close to his near na**d body?
No, not a good idea. “I…was thinking of catching up on some…reading.” She floundered for an excuse. Lying had never come easy to her. “Maybe you and Kylie could spend some quality time together?”
Pierce gave her a look that told her he knew she was doing her best to avoid him. Then he shrugged and looked down at Kylie. “Sorry, Princess, Celine doesn’t want to go swimming today. I guess we’ll just have to call it off.”
“No,” Kylie wailed. “I want to swim.”
Pierce shook his head and on his face was an exaggerated look of regret. “No can do. Not unless Celine is going to be here to help me with you.”
“Celine, you have to come,” Kylie cried tugging at her hand. “Please?”
Celine patted her head and with the little girl distracted she got her chance to glare at Pierce. She grew even more peeved when she saw the wide grin on his face. The snake. He’d used Kylie to force her hand. He knew she’d never refuse the little girl. How could he be so low?
Apparently he could go that low and quite easily, too. Without any sign that he felt guilty he smiled and said, “Okay, ladies, meet you here in forty-five. Don’t be late.”
When Celine and Kylie arrived at the pool Pierce was already in the water. His body, sleek and strong, cut through the water as he did laps up and down the pool. When he looked up and saw them he rolled over onto his back and waved.
“Come on in,” he called to them. “The water feels good.” Kylie was the first to respond. Slipping her hand from Celine’s grasp she ran to the edge of the pool and jumped, almost landing on top of Pierce’s head. He laughed and caught her then waved to Celine. “Your turn.”