a waiter with a laden tray, coming down the stairs. Ella moved towards him. Her throat was dry but more, she craved something to distract her from the sensation of being cut off alone with Donato.
‘Drink, sir? Ma’am?’
‘Champagne, Ella?’ Donato was right behind her. Had she really thought to escape so easily?
‘Water, please.’
‘Sensible choice.’ He took two glasses of sparkling water and nodded his thanks to the waiter, who headed back to the higher terraces. Ella watched him go, wondering what would happen if she simply followed.
That wouldn’t work. She needed to sort this out here, in private, away from curious eyes.
‘Sensible?’ Did he think she’d drink too much then lose her inhibitions?
Donato held out a drink, touching only the bottom of the glass, as if careful of any glancing contact.
Ella was inordinately grateful. Since they’d met she’d felt his presence like a touch—on her lips, her skin, her breasts. She suspected the real thing—his skin against hers—might be her undoing.
Carefully she took the glass. ‘Thanks.’
‘Sometimes it’s wise to keep a clear head. Tonight is one of those times.’
She’d lifted the glass to her lips but paused. Was he talking about her father’s idea that he marry Fuzz? Or did he refer to the swirl of attraction enveloping them?
‘About my father’s proposal...’
‘Which one?’
Ella stared. There was more than one?
Of course there was. The old man no doubt had a whole raft of business proposals for Donato. He’d be looking to screw every dollar he could out of him.
‘About Felicity.’
‘Yes?’ Damn the man. He just stood there waiting, making her feel appallingly awkward.
Ella sipped her water, grateful for the cool fizz on her palate, easing the constriction in her throat. ‘She’s away long term. She has a commitment interstate.’
Donato nodded and Ella drew a relieved breath.
Of course he wasn’t interested in her father’s suggestion that they marry. Donato Salazar would pick his own woman. He’d just been too polite to tell her father his idea was old-fashioned and unnecessary.
‘She won’t be coming back to Sydney.’
‘So I understand.’ He paused. ‘Am I permitted to ask what keeps her away, or would that fall under the category of an invasion of privacy?’
Was he laughing at her?
‘It’s no secret. She’s working in Queensland, managing a large interior-design project.’
‘Really?’ One eyebrow cocked up. ‘I wasn’t aware your sister actually worked.’
Ella felt a slow burn radiate out from her belly. Not sexual arousal this time but shame on Fuzz’s behalf.
It was true. Her twenty-seven-year-old sister had never done a day’s paid work. The closest she’d come were charity modelling gigs. But that was changing. Fuzz was committed to this project. If she stuck at it this would be the making of her. Once she was away from their father—
‘As you say, Donato—’ Ella halted, thrown for a second by how much she enjoyed saying his name. She was like a teenager stricken by lust for the first time! ‘You don’t know us.’ She drew herself up, standing as tall as she could. ‘Fuzz... Felicity is part of the design team for a major Queensland resort.’ Well, it would be a major resort once it was finished.
‘This is the resort your brother has invested in?’
‘You know about that?’
‘Your father said he’d left the family firm in order to strike out on his own. Still in the same field though, entertainment and hospitality.’
‘Not quite the same. My father’s wealth is built on gambling, poker machines and casinos.’
‘Not just gambling.’ The riposte came quickly and Ella tried to read that crisp tone. There was something adamantine in his voice, something new that sent anxiety skidding down her backbone. Instinct twanged in warning. She took another long sip of iced water, grounding herself.
‘Your father has had diverse interests.’ Ella thought she saw his lip curl. Then the impression was gone. He looked back blandly.
‘Felicity has another reason for being in Queensland.’ She needed to make it clear her father’s scheme was impractical. ‘She’s living with her partner. They’re working together.’
‘A permanent relationship, then?’
‘Absolutely.’ More permanent, at least, than any of her sister’s previous relationships. ‘I know my father suggested you get to know Felicity better.’ She couldn’t bring herself to use the word marry. ‘But in the circumstances that’s not possible.’
‘I understand completely.’ Donato’s lips curved in a smile that did the strangest things to her internal organs.
The man was devastating. Totally mind-blowingly gorgeous. He looked like some lethally enthralling anti-hero bent on breaking every rule, perhaps even ravishing a few virgins along the way.
Ella blinked and stared. What had got into her head? Flights of fancy were so not her.
Donato moved in, blocking her view of the other terraces and instantly her nerves jangled. She tightened her grip on the water glass, slippery with condensation.
‘Your father thought our business partnership would be enhanced by a family tie. He suggested marriage.’
Ella waited for his derision at the idea. Instead she met only speculation in Donato’s gaze.
‘That’s not an option. Felicity is spoken for,’ she reiterated.
‘I hope she’ll be very happy.’ Donato raised his glass in salute. ‘And may I say how lucky I am that your father has another charming daughter to take her place?’
ELLA STARED INTO eyes that held not a whit of humour.
The hairs at her nape rose at the weight of that heavy-lidded regard.
Her, as her sister’s replacement.
For a split second Ella felt triumph, elation at the prospect of being his. Of experiencing all that intensity, not as a curious specimen to be studied but as a lover.
Her gaze slewed to the breadth of those shoulders, the lean strength
