‘Lucaj – this is Lucinda, my cousin –’
But Lucaj only had eyes for Libby, and nothing would distract him. Staring at her as if he would never let her go, he dipped his head and kissed her, and it was such a tender, cherishing kiss, her tears came back again.
‘And I’ve got something for you,’ Lucaj announced, drawing a gasp from her chest, from her heart, when he produced her four-leaf clover on its chain. ‘You must have lost it at some point during the night,’ he murmured discreetly.
Libby clutched the chain tightly in her fist. ‘I can never thank you enough. You can’t imagine what this means to me.’
‘That’s just of the many things about you, Libby Lancaster, that I have every intention of finding out.’Lucaj’s eyes burned with such passion as he stared down at her that she couldn’t help but remember every detail from the previous night, and the moment he felt her relax against him, Lucaj kissed her again.
‘This is one ‘one night stand’ that is going to run and run,’ he predicted when he finally lifted his head to stare into Libby’s eyes.
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, that while I was at the airport I took the chance to file a flight plan for Molokov, and I rather hoped you might join me there tonight.’
‘But I can’t.’ Libby glanced at Lucinda who, having thought better of hiding in the bedroom, had retraced her steps and was on the point of slipping out of the door.
‘Yes, you can,’ Lucinda yelled before closing the door behind her.
‘You’d regret it,’ Libby said, shaking her head.
‘Why would I regret it?’ Lucaj demanded, frowning.
‘Because there are girls like Lucinda – and then there are girls like me.’
‘Exactly,’ he said. ‘And I know which I prefer. You’re a very beautiful and intriguing woman, Libby Lancaster. And, please forgive me for rushing you, but we have to hurry if we’re going to make our flight slot.’
Libby still held back. ‘You’re taking rather a lot for granted, aren’t you?’
‘Am I?’
‘And now you’re not playing fair, she complained in a shaking voice as Lucaj dragged her back into his arms.
‘Who said playing fair had anything to do with this?’ he demanded as he set about reminding her of their passionate night together in every way that he could. ‘When I see something I want, I go for it, Libby. I don’t hesitate, or question my judgement. I strike boldly, and then I see everything through to the end.’
‘How long before the end?’ she murmured, carelessly voicing her thoughts out loud.
‘Try forever,’ Lucaj suggested.
‘That’s a long time,’ she said in a voice that was half laughter and half fear of being hurt.
‘Not long enough for me,’ Lucaj assured her, his gaze clear and steady on her face.
‘And, how’s this for a prediction? We’ll be back at the Chatsfield within the year, after the wedding of the year.’
‘Are you a fortune teller now?’ She tried to sound playful, but her pulse was going wild.
‘No. But I am a man who knows what he wants – and who recognises the prize when he sees it.’
‘So, what are you saying?’ Libby’s mouth was dry with fear and her fists were clenched, while her heart was racing out of control.
‘I’m saying that I want time to get to know you better, Libby Lancaster. I’m saying that I’ve never felt like this before about anyone in my life. I love you, Libby – and I know that must sound crazy because we’ve only just met, but I’m a decisive man, and I owe my success to my ability to spot opportunities and make instant decisions.’
‘So I’m an opportunity now?’ Libby teased.
‘You’re one hell of an opportunity,’ Lucaj confirmed, ‘and I’ve made an instant decision. I just need to know you feel the same.’
‘You are serious,’ she breathed.