Very special. A woman who remained strong through adversity. Most women would have been hysterical after Richardson’s attack last night, but Lia had remained calm. And this was after she had lost her father only two and a half months ago and her engagement had ended—although after the events of yesterday she was probably relieved that it had.
As for the way the two of them were in bed together...
Lia was like none of the women Gregorio had known in the past. She gave not only with her body but with all that she was. Gregorio had never known a lover like her before.
Would he ever know another lover like her again?
‘Perhaps I’ll know the answer to that once I’ve met her?’ Sebastien was still eyeing him speculatively.
Gregorio felt an unaccustomed surge of possessiveness at the thought of Lia meeting Sebastien. Would she find Sebastien attractive, as so many other women did? The two brothers were very alike in looks, with their dark hair and dark eyes, and a similar build and height.
Would Lia find his brother easier to get along with than Gregorio?
That was a given. Gregorio was well aware that he lacked the charm and ease of manner Sebastien could so easily adopt if the need arose. And meeting a beautiful woman was definitely one of those occasions.
The thought of Lia gravitating towards Sebastien was enough to cause Gregorio’s hand to clench at his side and his fingers to tighten about his coffee mug until the knuckles turned white.
‘I’m guessing you don’t like that idea.’ Sebastien grinned.
Gregorio gave his brother an irritated glance. ‘Do not see emotions where they do not exist.’
Sebastien openly chuckled now. ‘If you don’t stop gripping the handle of that mug so tightly you’re going to snap it right off.’
He relaxed that grip. ‘You would be better spending your time thinking of ways to help me locate David Richardson than commenting on things you know nothing about.’
‘I know nothing about Richardson, either.’
Gregorio’s lids narrowed on his brother. ‘This situation needs to be resolved, Sebastien. Quickly.’
‘But then Miss Fairbanks would move back to her own apartment.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Rio—’
‘Why are you really here, Sebastien?’ Gregorio looked at his brother searchingly, noting the lines beside his brother’s mouth and eyes that didn’t gel with his light-hearted banter. ‘What’s wrong?’
Sebastien sighed heavily. ‘Nothing a hot and meaningless fling wouldn’t cure.’
Gregorio winced. ‘Do you have someone specific in mind?’
His brother grimaced. ‘Maybe.’
Definitely, in Gregorio’s opinion. ‘Who is she?’
‘Could we just concentrate on your problems rather than my own?’ Sebastien prompted impatiently.
‘This woman is a problem, then?’
‘Monumentally so,’ his brother conceded. ‘But don’t worry. I’ll handle it when I get back to New York.’
‘Handle it or handle her?’
Sebastien gave a hard grin. ‘Both.’
‘I hope I’m not interrupting?’
Gregorio turned sharply at the sound of Lia’s voice, a scowl darkening his brow as he saw she was only dressed in that over-large thigh-length red T-shirt, with her arm in its sling over the top of it and her hair dishevelled from sleep.
‘I’m Sebastien de la Cruz.’ His brother stood politely. ‘I hope we didn’t wake you?’
‘Lia Fairbanks,’ she returned stiltedly. ‘And, no, you didn’t wake me. I just woke up and felt in need of coffee.’
‘My big brother is in charge of the coffee pot. Rio...?’ he prompted as Gregorio made no move to pour a third cup.
It was the first time Lia had heard anyone address him by the affectionate diminutive; it made him seem less the powerful and arrogant Gregorio de la Cruz and more the older brother. The casual navy blue polo shirt and faded jeans he wore added to that illusion.
She hadn’t been able to help overhearing at least part of Gregorio’s conversation with Sebastien—again. The little she had heard made it clear Gregorio wanted her out of his hotel suite as soon as possible.
Not that it came as a surprise. She already knew Gregorio had only insisted she come here at all because of that sense of responsibility he felt towards her. Nevertheless, hearing him reiterate those feelings to his brother made it all too real.
‘You are not dressed appropriately to receive visitors,’ Gregorio bit out tautly. ‘I suggest you return to your bedroom and put on a robe, at least.’
Lia frowned at the censure she could hear in his tone. And at the continued lack of coffee. ‘I can’t manage on my own.’ She gave a pointed glance at the sling immobilising her arm.
‘Then I will come and assist you.’ Gregorio straightened. ‘If you will excuse us, Sebastien?’
‘Don’t bother on my account.’ Sebastien resumed his seat on the bar stool. ‘I think you look charming just as you are. Rio has explained that your arm is broken,’ he said sympathetically.
Lia was sure, from the conversation she had overheard, that Sebastien de la Cruz was well aware of exactly how she had broken her arm. Or rather, how it had been broken for her.
Now that she was no longer in excruciating pain, and the effects of the painkillers had worn off a little, she was aware of the shock of exactly what David had done to her. Of what else he had threatened to do to her if she didn’t back off.
She really hadn’t known the true David at all until last night.
She gave a grimace in answer to Sebastien’s comment. ‘It could have been worse.’
‘So I understand.’ He nodded. ‘I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this.’
‘The princess had to be woken by the frog some time. It’s what my father called me,’ she explained emotionally as both men looked at her. ‘His princess.’
A princess he had protected from seeing or hearing any of the harsh realities of life. Until he’d died from the strain of trying to protect her from the harshest reality. Well, Lia was well and truly awake to all those realities now—she had the plaster cast on her broken arm to prove it.
‘I will accompany you to your bedroom and help you into your robe,’ Gregorio announced into the silence.
Lia turned her frowning attention on him. ‘I haven’t had any coffee yet.’
‘Because I have
