clinic’s just over there,’ he said, pointing it out. ‘You could go and ask.’
‘Thank you. I will.’ She had to know for sure what was happening. If Lucas didn’t show his face, she’d have to explain to his guests why their host had deserted them. Summoning reinforcements from the team on the radio to look after the guests milling about the square, she crossed the road to the clinic. Each small community in the mountains had a medical facility and a doctor on standby. She’d discovered this while she’d been researching the area for information to pass on to the guests.
The receptionist at the clinic explained that Lucas had stopped to help a young woman, but the young woman had turned out to be only thirteen years old, and skiing on the mountain without the consent of her parents. ‘It isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last,’ the smiling receptionist told Stacey. ‘The mountain is like a magnet to local teenagers, and the annual parade is the biggest draw of all.’
‘Can I help you?’
Breath shot from her lungs. ‘Lucas! Thank goodness you’re safe!’
Regardless of anything that had gone before, she was just so relieved to see him.
Still dressed in dark ski wear, he looked exactly like the type of big, swarthy hero any young woman would dream of sweeping her off her feet on the slope. It was lucky she was Lucas-proof, Stacey reflected as he shot her a brooding look.
‘Why are you here?’ he demanded coolly.
‘To find you, of course.’
‘Shouldn’t you be with my guests?’
‘Shouldn’t you?’ She stared up at him, unblinking, while her heart shouted hallelujah to see him unharmed.
‘Are you here to remind me of my manners?’
‘If you need a nudge…?’
A glint of humour in his eyes greeted this remark.
‘How is the girl you rescued?’
‘A painful pulled ligament. Thankfully, nothing more.’
‘And you’re okay?’ She searched his eyes.
‘Obviously.’
Why didn’t she believe him? Because the wounds Luc carried weren’t visible, Stacey concluded as he glanced at the exit.
‘I’m going to say goodnight to my guests,’ he explained, ‘and then I’m going to take you home. I’ve checked the girl’s parents are on their way, so there’s nothing more for me to do here except thank the staff and hold the door for you.’
‘I can stay in the hotel in the village,’ she protested. ‘People are leaving now the roads are clear.’
‘The gondolas are running too,’ Luc commented as they left the building, ignoring her last comment, ‘so no excuses. You’re coming with me.’
They needed to talk, she reasoned, so why not? Just because Luc was unconventional and unpredictable didn’t mean they couldn’t communicate successfully. Demanding clients were her stock in trade. How much harder could it be to discuss the future of their child with Luc?
After an extensive round of farewells, Stacey was able to wrap up the night with her team, and Luc led the way up the steps of the gondola station. ‘Come on,’ he encouraged. ‘We can have a car to ourselves.’
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her into an empty car just as the doors were closing.
‘LUC—’ AS THE gondola started off she was thrown against him. Pressing her hands against his chest, she reminded him that they hadn’t even talked about the baby.
‘You’re well,’ he said, ‘and that’s all that matters.’
And then he closed off.
‘And those guests you couldn’t find to say goodnight to?’ she pressed, wanting some reaction from him.
‘I’ll see them at the airport tomorrow. Tonight is for you.’
For sex, she assumed. Not that she didn’t crave Luc’s body, but she wanted more from him. She had other concerns on her mind, notably an unborn child.
‘You’re taking a lot for granted,’ she observed, steadying herself on the hand rail.
‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I want to spend the night with you.’
Her pulse went crazy, but she had to accept that nothing had changed. How many times had they been together without Luc opening up? And she had to know the father of her child. They could be so close in so many ways, and complete strangers in others. He shut her out when she needed to be sure that Luc bore no resemblance to her own father. She couldn’t bear that. She wouldn’t bear it, and neither would her child. No infant should be shunned, and if Luc was incapable of expressing his feelings, then perhaps she should keep him at a distance. What was it in his past that had made him so insular? She was bad enough, but he was gold standard when it came to hiding his feelings. If she couldn’t find out tonight, what chance did she have?
‘We will talk?’ she pressed.
‘Of course we will,’ he promised.
‘When?’
‘Soon.’
‘Should I be satisfied with that?’
He raised a brow and smiled down, forcing her to realise that she had underestimated his devastating appeal. Luc only had to look at her a certain way for her scruples to vanish. ‘No, we can’t,’ she protested as he dragged her close.
‘Where does it say that in the rule book?’ he murmured. ‘You carry around a very heavy rule book, Señorita Winner, but it’s not one I care to read.’
‘Seriously, Lucas…’
‘I intend to be very serious indeed, as I’m dealing with an emergency situation.’
One more night with the man she loved. What could be wrong with that?
Everything, Stacey’s cautious inner voice suggested. You’ll miss him even more when he’s gone.
So be it, she concluded as Luc drove his mouth down on hers.
Arranging her to his liking, with her legs around his waist, he supported her with his big hands wrapped around her buttocks.
‘Are you sure I’m not too heavy?’
‘What do you think?’ he said, slowly sinking to the hilt.
She was thinking that she would never get used to this…to Luc wanting her, and to the feeling of completeness that gave her—or
