Dirty Aristocrat

Bemused, I turned my head and watched him curiously. Actually, I drank in the sight of him. He did not look so dark and dangerous in sleep. His head was tilted slightly to the left, his

hair had fallen over his forehead, his unfairly thick lashes were resting on his gorgeous cheeks, and there was a dark shadow on his hard jaw which, strangely, made him look vulnerable

and wickedly sexy at the same time.

The other man, the giant, probably called him, and he must have come. Where was I? Was I in his home? I suddenly realized that under the duvet, I was totally naked under a huge T-shirt.

What the devil?

‘Oh,’ I exclaimed with surprise as his eyes snapped open, the grey finding me instantly.

I froze at the suddenness with which they focused on me, laser-like and disconcertingly sharp. We stared at each other. The air between us crackled as if there was a big storm coming.

The sensual lips thinned into a straight stern line. He broke eye contact, sat forward, then glanced at his watch.

‘How’re you feeling?’ he asked.

‘You undressed me,’ I accused.

His eyes flickered, but his face was shuttered. ‘Yeah, but don’t worry I’ve kind of seen it all before.’

‘’You didn’t have to. I could have slept in my clothes,’ I said resentfully.

His lips twisted wryly. ‘You pissed yourself.’

My eyes popped open and my entire body flushed with crushing embarrassment. ‘Oh God,’ I gasped. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. I couldn’t be more completely mortified.

‘I had to move you from the spare bedroom into my bed. A new mattress will be delivered later today and you can move back in there for tonight,’ he explained.

I drew a shaky breath. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I whispered.

‘Don’t be,’ he said carelessly and stood up. His clothes were crumpled as if he had spent all night in the chair.

‘I’ll pay for the new mattress, of course,’ I added quickly, exhaling in a rush.

‘That won’t be necessary.’ His voice was cold as if I had offended him.

‘Please. It would make me feel better,’ I insisted, too humiliated to look him in the eye.

‘Do as you wish,’ he said, as if he was already bored with the conversation and would prefer to be somewhere else.

‘Thank you.’ I bit my bottom lip. ‘Ah … where is the other man?’

He narrowed his eyes. ‘What other man?’

‘From last night. The big guy.’

‘There was only me and the doctor last night.’

‘Oh,’ I said in a small voice.

The night before seemed blurred and fuzzy in my mind. I was sure there had been another man. A kind man who held me close to his heart and rocked me for hours. Was he another

hallucination? But he had felt so real. Could Ivan be that man? I looked up at him. He looked back distant and cold. No way. It must have been another hallucination.

‘Do you feel like some food? Soup? Toast?’ he asked.

Even the thought of food made me feel horribly queasy, and I shook my head. ‘Thank you, but no. I’d like to have a shower though, before I go home.’

He looked down at me expressionlessly. ‘I’m afraid you won’t be able to go home for a while.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because whoever drugged you yesterday wanted to frighten you. Wanted you to know that you are not safe, and whoever it was, is either living in the house with you, or more probably has

one of your staff working for them.’

I closed my eyes for a second and tried to think. In my weakened state the problem seemed insurmountable. I opened my eyes. ‘Never mind. I’ll sort it out. Tomorrow. When I feel better.’

‘I’ve already warned James that you will not be back for a bit.’

‘Thank you. Yes, I think it would be a good idea for me to stay in London for a few days. After I have had my shower I’ll get a taxi to Robert’s.’ I paused. Of course it was all mine

now. ‘I meant, to my apartment in South Kensington.’

‘No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.’ His voice was flat and unyielding. ‘You would be vulnerable on your own there. Besides, the doctor said you could have flashbacks for the next

forty-eight hours and you shouldn’t be out on your own. The most practical solution is for you to stay here for a few days until we come up with a workable plan for you.’

‘Wouldn’t I be in your way?’ I asked cautiously.

‘I wouldn’t have thought so. I’m hardly ever here anyway.’

‘Well, I’ll go as soon as I can.’

‘Yeah, whatever.’

‘I feel grimy and my head feels like it’s full of cottage cheese. I should have a shower first,’ I said, and sitting up pushed the bedcover away from my body.

His eyes strayed to my breasts and then moved away quickly. ‘You’ll find the bathroom through that door. I’ll get you some towels.