LITMIR.BIZ

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tuned back into the conversation when the other man cleared his voice awkwardly and said, ‘Is it true that your affair with Carmen Desanto is over? It was in the papers today.’

      Alix’s mouth tightened. Only because of the fact that Andres was one of his oldest and most trusted friends did he even contemplate answering the question. ‘What of it?’

      ‘Well, it’s unfortunate timing. The busier you can look with very unpolitical concerns the better—to lull the regime on Isle Saint Croix into a false sense of security. Even if they hear rumours of you gaining support from abroad, when they see pictures in the papers...’

      He didn’t need to finish. Alix would appear to be the louche and unthreatening King in exile he’d always been. Still, he didn’t like to be dictated to like this.

      ‘Well,’ he said with a steely undertone, ‘I’m afraid that, as convenient a front as Carmen might have proved to be, I wasn’t prepared to put up with her inane chatter for any longer.’

      An image popped into Alix’s head of another woman. Someone whose chatter he wouldn’t mind listening to. And he very much doubted that she ever chattered inanely. Those beautiful eyes were far too intelligent.

      On the other end of the phone Andres sighed theatrically. ‘Look, all I’m saying is that now would be a really good time to be living up to your reputation as an eligible bachelor, cutting a swathe through the beauties of the world.’

      Alix had only been interested in a very personal conquest before now, but suddenly the thought of pursuing Leila Verughese took on a whole new dimension. It was, in fact, completely justifiable.

      A small smile curled his lips. ‘Don’t worry, Andres. I’m sure I can think of something to keep the media hounds happy.’

      * * *

      When the knock came on Alix’s door at about one minute past seven that evening he didn’t like to acknowledge the anticipation rushing through his blood. The reminder that Leila was getting to him on a level that was unprecedented was not welcome. He told himself it was just lust. Chemical. Controllable.

      He strode forward and opened the door to see Leila with a vaguely mutinous look on her beautiful face and Ricardo behind her. Alix nodded to his bodyguard and the man melted away.

      Alix stood back and held the door open. ‘Please, come in.’

      He noted that Leila hadn’t changed outfits since earlier. She was still wearing the smart dark trouser suit and her hair was pulled back into a low, sleek ponytail. She wore not a scrap of make-up, yet her features stood out as if someone had lovingly painted her.

      The pale olive skin, straight nose, lush mouth and startling green eyes combined together to such an effect that Alix could only mentally shake his head as he followed her into his suite... How did such a woman as this work quietly in a perfume shop, going largely unnoticed?

      She turned to face him in the palatial living room and held up a glossy House of Leila bag. ‘Your fragrance, Monsieur Saint Croix.’

      Alix bit back the urge to curse and said smoothly, ‘Leila, I’ve asked you to call me Alix.’

      Her eyes glittered. ‘Well, I don’t think it’s appropriate. You’re a client—’

      ‘A client who,’ he inserted smoothly, ‘has just paid a significant sum of money for a customised fragrance.’

      Her mouth shut and remorse lit her eyes. Alix was fascinated again by the play of unguarded emotions. God knew he certainly hadn’t revealed emotion himself for years. And the women he dealt with probably wouldn’t know a real emotion if it jumped up and bit them on the ass.

      She looked at him and he felt short of breath, acutely aware of the thrust of her perfect breasts against the silk of her shirt.

      ‘Very well. Alix.’

      Her mouth and tongue wrapping around his name had an effect similar to that if she’d put her mouth on his body intimately. Blood rushed south and he hardened.

      Gritting his jaw against the onset of a fierce arousal that made a mockery of any illusion of control, Alix responded, ‘That wasn’t so hard, was it?’ He groaned inwardly at his unfortunate choice of words and reached for the bag she still held out in a bid to distract her from seeing her seismic effect in his body.

      With the bag in his hand he gestured for her to sit down. ‘Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink?’

      Leila’s hands twisted in front of her. ‘No, thank you. I really should be getting back—’

      ‘Don’t you want to know if I like the scent or not?’

      Her mouth stayed open and eventually she said, ‘Of course I do... But you could send word if you don’t like it.’

      Alix frowned minutely and moved closer to Leila, cocking his head to one side. ‘Why are you so nervous with me?’

      She swallowed. He could see the long slim column of her throat, the pulse beating near the base. Hectic.

      ‘I’m not nervous.’

      He came closer and a warm seeping of colour made her skin flush.

      ‘Liar. You’re ready to jump out of that window to get away from me right now.’

      One graceful brow arched. ‘Not a reaction you’re used to?’

      Alix’s mouth quirked. The tension was diffused a little. ‘No, not usually.’

      He indicated again for Leila to sit down and after a moment, when he really wasn’t sure if she’d just walk out, she moved over to the couch and sat down. Something relaxed inside him.

      He put down the bag containing the scent while he poured himself a drink and glanced at her over his shoulder. ‘Are you sure I can’t get you anything?’

      She’d been taking in the room, eyes wide, and suddenly all its opulence felt garish to Alix.

      Those eyes clashed with his. ‘Okay,’ she said huskily. ‘I’ll have a little of whatever you’re having.’

      It was crazy. Alix wanted to howl in triumph at this concession. At the fact that she was still here, when usually he was batting women away.

      ‘Bourbon?’

      She half nodded and shrugged. ‘I’ve never tried it before.’

      There was something incredibly disarming about her easy admission. Like watching the play of emotion on her face and in her eyes. Alix brought the drinks over and was careful to take a seat at right angles to the couch, knowing for certain that she’d bolt if he sat near her.

      He handed her the glass and she took it. He held his out. ‘Santé, Leila.’

      She tipped her glass towards his and took a careful sip, as he took a sip of his own. He watched her reaction, saw her eyes watering slightly, her cheeks warming again. His own drink slipped down his throat, making his already warm body even hotter.

      ‘What do you think?’

      She considered for a moment and then gave a tiny smile. ‘It’s like fire... I like it.’

      ‘Yes,’ Alix said faintly, transfixed by Leila’s mouth, ‘It’s like fire.’

      A moment stretched between them, and then she dropped her gaze from his and put her glass down on the table to indicate the bag she’d brought. ‘You should see if you like the scent.’

      Alix put down his own glass and took the bag, extracting a gold box embossed with a black line around the edges. It had a panel on the front with a label that said simply Alix Saint Croix.

      Alix opened the box and took out the heavy and beautifully cut glass bottle, with its black lid and distinctive gold piping. It was masculine—solid.

      ‘It’s quite strong,’ Leila said, as

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