Ruthless Revenge: Delicious Demand: Moretti's Marriage Command / The CEO's Little Surprise / Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire

‘It was more than the morning,’ Luca admitted gruffly. ‘I was angry at myself, and my body’s reaction, rather than at you.’

‘It must be terribly irritating to be attracted to someone like me,’ Hannah agreed. Luca realised that underneath her embarrassment, she was blisteringly angry. ‘Someone with feelings and a normal bra size.’

‘Hannah,’ he warned through gritted teeth. The last thing he needed this morning was a big, messy row with the woman who was supposed to be his compliant, biddable faux fiancée.

‘Luca,’ Hannah returned mockingly. She whirled around, her colour high, her golden-brown eyes blazing. ‘How about you listen to me for a change? I didn’t ask to come to this island. I didn’t ask to pretend to be your fiancée. I didn’t ask to share your bed! In fact, at every step, I’ve asked for the opposite. I’ve wanted more space, not less. And then you have the audacity, the wretched nerve, to call me a wanton!’

‘I told you why—’

‘And you think that makes it better? You said it like you couldn’t even understand why you were attracted to someone like me. To my surprise. Well, thanks for that, Luca. Thanks very much.’ She turned away again, her hands shaking as she reached for her pearl earrings.

All right, he could see how what he’d said might have sounded insulting, but... ‘I didn’t mean it that way.’

‘Actually, I think you did. But never mind. I don’t really care.’ She put her earrings in, shaking her hair over her shoulders. ‘Let’s just get this day over with, shall we?’

Luca hesitated, wanting to defuse her anger, but sensing that she wasn’t in the mood to be placated. Wordlessly he headed into the bathroom to shower.

* * *

As soon as the door closed Hannah released a shaky breath and slumped onto the divan. She couldn’t take much more of this ping-ponging from one emotion to the next, from overwhelming desire to incredible rage. What was happening to her?

She knew the answer to that one. Luca Moretti was. She took a steadying breath, and then, taking advantage of Luca being in the shower, reached for her phone.

Diane answered on the first ring. ‘Hey, Mum,’ Hannah said, her voice sounding weary and just a little bit wobbly. ‘It’s me.’

‘Hannah. Are you all right?’

‘Why— Do I sound that bad?’ She tried for a laugh, pressing a hand to her forehead. It didn’t help her seesawing emotions that she’d got very little sleep last night.

‘You sound tired,’ Diane admitted cautiously. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘Fine. Just an intense work weekend.’ Work being the word she could drop from that sentence. ‘Is Jamie awake yet?’

‘Yes, he’s just having his breakfast. I’ll put him on for you.’

Hannah closed her eyes, listening to the familiar sound of her mother’s murmur, her son’s excited answer. The squeak of a chair, and then the sound of him scrabbling for the phone.

‘Mummy?’

A tidal wave of homesickness crashed over her, threatening to pull her under. ‘Hello, sweetheart. I miss you.’

‘I miss you, too. Nana says you’re on an island.’

‘Yes, it’s very pretty. I’ll try to bring you back a present. Maybe some shells or rocks for your collection?’

‘Ooh, yes,’ Jamie crowed. ‘Can you bring back a big one? A conch?’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Hannah said with a little laugh. ‘I think they might be protected. But I’ll bring you back something, Jamie, I promise. Be good for Nana now.’

‘I will.’

‘He always is,’ Diane assured her when Hannah had said goodbye to her son. ‘Don’t work too hard.’

‘I always work hard,’ Hannah answered, and heard how grim she sounded. Maybe she did work too hard. Maybe the sacrifices weren’t worth it, no matter what she believed about being financially independent and free. ‘I love you, Mum,’ she said.

‘Hannah, are you sure you’re all right...?’

‘I’m fine,’ Hannah said, and then, hearing the bathroom door open, she quickly said goodbye and disconnected the call.

She was just putting the phone away when Luca emerged from the bathroom, freshly shaven, his hair damp, a towel slung low on his hips. ‘Were you on the phone?’

Hannah turned away from the alluring sight of his nearly naked body. ‘Is that a crime?’

Luca sighed. ‘No, of course not. I just wondered.’

‘Then the answer is yes, I was.’

‘Hannah, look, I said I was sorry.’

‘In about the worst way possible.’

‘Can we please call a truce?’

Hannah took a deep breath, knowing she was being childish and emotional. She was a professional, for heaven’s sake, and Luca was her boss. She could handle this. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said evenly. ‘Let’s forget it. Clean slate today, all right?’ She turned to him with a bright, determined smile just as Luca dropped his towel.

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u4f4978b9-1712-5358-b80f-d37e100db43a)

HANNAH WHIRLED AWAY from the sight of Luca’s naked body, one hand clapped to her eyes.

She let out a trembling laugh. ‘You are so not making this easier.’

‘I’m sorry. I don’t like dressing in the bathroom.’

‘That message has been received, trust me.’

‘I’m dressed now,’ Luca told her dryly, and Hannah lowered her hand.

‘Wearing a pair of boxer briefs does not, in my opinion, constitute dressed.’

‘The important bits are covered,’ he answered and reached for a shirt.

‘I don’t understand you,’ Hannah said slowly. ‘You flirt and drop your clothes and act like it’s ridiculous for me to be outraged, and then you get angry with me and basically accuse me of being a slut for responding when you’re practically naked next to me.’ She tried for a wry smile but felt too confused and weary to manage it. ‘I thought it was women who usually sent mixed messages.’

Luca stilled, his hands on the buttons of his shirt, his gaze lowered. ‘This is a new situation for me,’ he admitted gruffly. ‘And a tense one. I know I’m acting out of character.’

‘Considering you’re acting as my fiancé, you certainly are.’ She sighed and reached for the strappy sandals that went with her sundress. ‘So what is the schedule for today, anyway?’

‘You spend the day with the other wives, touring the island, and I give my presentation.’