When he lifted his head she caught the wicked gleam in his eyes.
‘Tonight, mi mujer.’
‘You’re returning to Madrid today?’
‘Sí.’
She opened her mouth to ask why he hadn’t stayed in his apartment, only to close it again as he touched a light finger to her lips.
‘A lonely bed, querida, when I can be here with you through the night?’
Oh, my. A painful ache settled in the region of her heart. In a few more days her two-week sojourn here would conclude, and she’d board a flight out of Madrid for home.
Except the lines had become blurred, and she was no longer sure where home existed.
A week ago, it had unquestionably been Australia.
Now… Well, now it would be a wrench to leave Mallorca, Spain, and everything they meant to her. And Raúl… Dear God. Leaving him would be the hardest thing she’d ever do.
She became conscious of his studied gaze, and she curved her lips to form a winsome smile. ‘Should I be flattered?’
He made an indistinguishable sound in his throat and reached for her, his mouth a seductive force as he took her own in a kiss that captured her soul and branded it his own.
Earth-shattering, primitive and totally shameless.
Her entire body seemed to coalesce as she gave herself up to him, for everything faded and became meaningless. There was only him, and electrifying passion.
She was barely conscious of him dispensing with her sleep tank until he shaped her breast and sought the tender peak with skilled fingers.
Sensation arrowed through her body, and a silent groan caught in her throat as he lifted her high and replaced his fingers with his mouth.
More, she needed more, and she gave an audible moan of distress as he gentled his touch, then relinquished it as he lowered her to her feet.
For a moment she was incapable of speech, and her eyes widened measurably as he cradled her face.
‘Tonight, querida.’
She watched in mesmerised silence as he released her before tending to the buttons on his shirt, then he fixed his tie and shrugged into his suit jacket.
Gianna found her voice as he turned towards the door.
‘Travel carefully.’
Raúl cast her a dark musing look over his shoulder. ‘Always.’
Then he was gone, and she stood transfixed for several long seconds, still lost in an emotional vortex, until common sense exerted itself.
She needed to shower, dress, join Teresa for a leisurely breakfast, and then spend time with her.
Not long after that it would be time to get ready to attend the charity fashion show in Teresa’s stead.
Gianna chose a chic fitted black lace dress with three-quarter sleeves and a scalloped hemline that reached just below her knees. The neckline showed just the right amount of cleavage.
Black stilettos, a minimum of jewellery, and understated make-up with emphasis on her eyes completed the look, and she caught up a small red clutch, checked the contents, then made her way downstairs to the foyer, where Miguel waited to drive her to the venue in Camp de Mar, near the picturesque port of Andratx.
The mansion was large, luxurious, and a testament to the host’s extreme wealth. No expense had been spared with the floral decorations—exotic displays which had to have cost a fortune.
Adriana came forward with a genuine smile as Gianna entered the foyer.
‘My dear, so good of you to come. I am sorry to hear Teresa is not having the best day. Let’s go into the lounge and I’ll introduce you to the guests.’
Superb champagne was offered as they mingled together, and while there were some men present, the majority of attendees were women…each of whom was exquisitely attired, perfectly coiffed and cosmetically beautiful.
A surreptitious glance was all it took to determine Sierra was not among them.
There were a few guests she’d met before, some of whom had been present at Adriana’s home.
A certain competitiveness existed among the social elite…the fashionistas who flew to Paris and Milan each season to buy their clothing and shoes from top designer houses, flashing black Amex cards gifted by their wealthy husbands and lovers.
Except when it came to supporting worthy charitable causes they did so with unstinting generosity.
It was late afternoon when their hostess requested the guests’ presence in the adjoining ballroom, set up with a professional runway and numerous tables precisely placed, with chairs sheathed in white linen caught at the back with an elaborate bow.
Gianna was pleased to discover she was sharing a table with Adriana, together with a pleasant woman whose name temporarily escaped her.
‘Luisa,’ was offered with a mischievous smile. ‘We