‘Will you start or will I?’ Luc prompted.
Making his big frame comfortable, he looked like a man at ease with himself and the world. She couldn’t tell him. Not here. Too many people were listening. She had caused quite the stir coming in here with Lucas, where everyone knew her. She had lived in the village all her life, apart from when she’d gone down to London, and it was common knowledge that two of her friends, both local women, had married Brazilian men. People must be wondering if this was the latest romance. They also knew everything about her past.
Burying her face in the mug of tea the waitress had just brought them, she had to remember that however easygoing Luc might appear to be now, he would crack down the minute he heard about the baby. If she knew one thing about him, it was that Luc was all about control. Once he knew, everything would change and she wouldn’t have a say in anything. She had to get things set up right from the start, which was much easier to plan than to do. Careless words now definitely wouldn’t help her.
‘Don’t look so worried.’ Leaning across the table, Luc stared her in the eyes. ‘I don’t expect you to divulge state secrets. I was just thinking what a good opportunity it was to release some tension and have a chat. You can start with the weather, if you like.’
She knew he was joking, but at least he’d made it possible to relax. She stared out of the window. ‘If we were in Brazil, maybe the weather might be a topic we could talk about, but the less said here, the better, I think, don’t you?’
She flinched as Luc’s knee brushed hers. She was so on edge he had to notice. Guilt must be emblazoned on her like a great big neon sign. But how was she supposed to sit across a narrow space from such a big man and not touch him? She tensed as the waitress arrived with their food, giving her a brief respite. Did he know? Had he guessed? She couldn’t tell. ‘You pick a topic. You start,’ she said, as soon as the waitress had left them.
‘I would have thought my topic was obvious.’
‘Really?’ She frowned. ‘Not to me.’
‘My topic’s you, Emma.’ Luc focused his whole attention on her. ‘I want you, Emma.’ Her throat instantly felt as if it was in a noose. ‘I want you in my bed,’ Luc continued smoothly.
Be sensible. This is not a romantic moment, she warned herself. Luc had spoken with about as much emotion as he had used to give their order for toast.
‘I want you in my bed because I enjoyed you,’ he said, confirming this as he angled his chin to direct a stare into her eyes. ‘I can’t stay in Scotland for much longer, so I want you to come back with me to Brazil.’
‘To Brazil,’ she breathed.
‘That is where I live most of the year.’
‘Yes, I know,’ she said faintly, ‘but I won’t be your mistress.’
Luc smiled wryly. ‘I wasn’t thinking of anything quite so permanent—and you’ve made it clear you wouldn’t want that. I always had you pegged as a career girl, which is why you’ve thrown me by working here.’ He glanced out of the window. ‘I can give you a job in Brazil and look after you for as long as—’
‘You want me?’ she supplied.
The humour left his eyes. ‘You make it sound so cold-blooded.’
‘Isn’t it? You’re paying me to sleep with you.’
‘Don’t put it so crudely.’
‘How would you put it?’
‘I would say we were both seizing the moment and making the most of it for as long as it lasts. You would never have to worry about anything again. You’d never have to work another day in your life, if you didn’t want to. And you’d get to sleep with me every night.’ He laughed.
Emma didn’t laugh. ‘Until you tire of me and throw me out.’
Luc sat back, appearing wholly at ease with his suggestion. He didn’t even have the good grace to seem impatient at her comment. ‘It’s a great offer, Emma.’
‘It’s prostitution dressed up in a uniform of your choice.’
‘That’s harsh.’
‘But it’s the truth, and you can’t deny it.’
Luc didn’t even attempt to deny it. ‘Looking at it your way, you must admit that what I’m suggesting is cost-effective.’
‘What?’ she exploded. ‘You are totally shameless.’
‘I’m just being open about the fact that I don’t want you for just one night, or even a couple of nights. I want you in Brazil so I can have sex with you whenever I want.’