A Spanish Seduction (6 page)

‘You do yourself an injustice as well, Jessica. It strikes me that you judge your own worth on the basis of your mother’s prostitution.’

Her lower lip trembled before she said, ‘I’m hardly proud of what my mother did. Being with you would put me in the public eye. You can’t expect me to do that. I’d be the object of media speculation if I paraded as your girlfriend. The same gutter press who wanted to expose you as having an affair with a married woman would delight in exposing that you’re involved with the daughter of a woman who prostituted herself, then ended her life by throwing herself off a bridge.’

The shame in her words made his guts twist.

He was agitated on a whole lot of levels which he didn’t want to delve into. How had he been drawn into this personal discussion with her? It was something he’d never have chosen to embark on, but for some inexplicable reason he was having this heart to heart with a virtual stranger and her wounds affected him. He was furious with those who’d judged her in the past and made her believe her mother’s actions reflected poorly on her character. ‘What your mother did has no bearing on the person you are,’ he told her decisively.

Her features took on an expression of genuine puzzlement. ‘You really believe that?’

‘I believe you should forgive your mother.’ He ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. ‘How old were you when you lost her?’

‘I’d just finished school.’

Of course. He remembered reading that in the investigator’s report. ‘She at least provided for you until the moment you were able to leave school, get a regular job and take care of yourself. The timing of her suicide should tell you something.’

She continued to look at him in confusion.

‘You assume she had choices. Maybe she didn’t. Prostitution may have been the only way she believed she could support you. Perhaps she hated that way of life but could see no other way. Perhaps she took her own life because she couldn’t keep living with what she did. At least she waited until she knew you were at an age where she didn’t have to support you.’

His words had the intended effect. All the fight appeared to drain out of her as she sat with wide eyes and looked extremely disconcerted.

‘There are worse things in this world, Jessica,’ he admonished with a harshness that was unmistakable. ‘Your mother cared enough about you not to abandon you when you were a young child. You must not only forgive her, but you have to stop caring what other people think.’

For several moments she just regarded him mutely. Tears formed in her eyes as she said, ‘I’ve never thought about it like that.’ She shook her head slowly and looked at him with an awed expression. ‘You’re the first person who’s known about my mother and never judged me badly because of it.’

‘I’ve seen you working hard to pay off a debt which should never have been yours. That’s admirable. You’ve chosen a career which involves helping others. That also says a lot about you. I see sincerity in you, and I know from your reactions tonight that you’re an honest person. Those characteristics are you. They have nothing to do with either of your parents. In fact, given your upbringing, I think you’re a remarkable person.’

It would’ve been a hell of a lot easier for him if she’d been a different person — an avaricious woman who’d jump at the chance to make some money and fall neatly in with his plans, instead of someone with a conscience who worried about doing the right thing...Instead of someone who was reaching him on a personal level. It was just as well she wasn’t appealing to look at, or he had a weird gut instinct that involvement with her could be dangerous.

Unease punched him in the gut. Just what would this woman look like once a stylist had finished with her?

The movement of her shoulders and the twist of her mouth revealed her self-consciousness. ‘I don’t think anyone has ever called me remarkable.’

Ricardo felt her sadness. He had to get to know Jessica if he was to pass her off as his lover, but he’d had no intention of knowing her in any more than a superficial way. Now, he hung on her every word without wanting to. For some inexplicable reason, what she said was important to him. He didn’t want it to be. Ridiculously, he had the urge to take her into his arms and hold her until he’d soothed all her hurt away.

Get a grip.

‘It doesn’t matter what other people think,’ he told her. ‘You’re worthy of compliments. You should accept them.’

Her head lowered but not before he saw misery in every feature.

‘Believe in yourself and others will believe in you,’ he pushed, trying to get through to her in a way he’d never tried to get through to anyone before.

The sound she gave was one of disbelief. ‘I know I have strengths. I know I’m a great remedial therapist. I love my work.’

‘Professional self-belief is good, but you also need personal self-esteem.’ He cursed inwardly. He was hardly qualified to dole out advice, and from what he’d read about what she’d been through, this woman probably required a professional to build her self-esteem.

The investigator had reported that her husband had robbed her blind and cheated on her since the first day of their marriage. Jessica had reportedly tried to hold onto him rather than kicking him out on his backside, and that spoke volumes for her low self-esteem.

Their marriage had only ended when her husband and his lover had been killed in a car accident. Their suitcases had been packed in the boot. Apparently, Jessica’s husband had been leaving her.

‘I know from the report I received that the man you married was guilty of the worst possible betrayal.’ He paused. ‘Perhaps you were guilty of being a coward?’

‘I beg your pardon?’ Her whole frame jerked and she sat as rigid as a statue.

‘Instead of trying to capture a man’s attention, you hide behind this drab façade you wear.’

‘I don’t need a man’s attention.’

‘I think you’re running scared, Jessica.’ Something kept driving him to try to understand her. ‘Do you present yourself poorly to keep men at a distance? When you say you don’t need a man’s attention, is it really true or are you lying to yourself rather than risking rejection?’

The sudden bitterness in her features made her look older than her twenty-six years. ‘I thought you were an ex-racing car driver and a would-be chairman of a board. When did you fit in the study for your psychology degree? Night school?’

‘I —’

‘No.’ She extended a forefinger to her chin in a gesture of mock thoughtfulness. ‘It couldn’t have been night school because you’ve already admitted to have spent your nights partying and studying the female form.’

‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.’

‘Psychoanalysis doesn’t suit you!’ she fired back at him.

He assumed he’d hit too close to the truth. If she’d had hackles, they would’ve risen. ‘It doesn’t take a psychology degree to realise you’re hiding yourself away behind this displeasing appearance.’

Hell! A personal stylist might be able to help her, but Jessica Harris must change her whole attitude if he was ever going to pass her off as his lover. She was way too defensive.

‘When I needed a counsellor, I paid for a professional. I don’t need two-bit analysis from someone I’ve only just met!’

Indeed. What was he doing playing psychologist? He didn’t have time to deal with this. The whole idea had been crazy.

You have no choice. She is Jessica Harris, remedial masseuse. You have to make this work because you need her.

Ricardo’s right hand tightened into a fist and he swallowed back a string of profanities.

‘Be a risk taker, Jessica,’ he urged, knowing that despite his misgivings he had to convince her to participate in his scheme.

The light in her eye was resolute. ‘I’d be certain to lose my balance and fall.’

‘For the next three months I’ll be there.’

Her lips turned into a bitter smile, her words full of cynical disbelief as she asked, ‘Are you promising to catch me if I fall, Ricardo?’

‘I’ll make sure you don’t fall,’ he told her with quiet assurance. Inwardly, he seethed with frustration that he’d ever been placed in this predicament.

Despite the widening of her eyes for a split second, she shook her head. ‘No.’

For a word of denial, it sounded like she was wavering in her conviction.

He moved his hands dismissively. ‘Answer this — are you really where you want to be in life?’

She hung her head, but not before he saw a slight sheen of tears glistening again in her eyes. ‘Hardly, but I’m getting there and I’m doing it on my own.’

Sensing she was at an emotional breaking point, he steeled himself. Now was the time to capitalise and ensure she went along with his plans. He bit back his impatience and made his tone one of gentle reasoning. ‘You don’t have to do it on your own. This is your golden opportunity to get ahead. If you come to Barcelona with me, you’ll be closer to where you want to be. You’ll be debt free. You’ll discover a side of life you might otherwise never know, make connections with people who may help you get further ahead. I’ll be at your side every step of the way and I promise you’ll come to no harm. So, what’s holding you back?’

Slowly, she straightened and he watched her struggle to reach a decision. Time stretched. He sensed he’d said all there was he could say to convince her to agree. Instead of talking, he focussed all his energy on willing her to accept.

Finally, those alluring emerald eyes met his and she gave a barely perceptible nod. ‘Okay. I’ll do it. I just hope neither of us regrets this.’

Chapter Five

Later the following day, Jessica felt as though she’d been caught up in a fast flowing current. Once she’d agreed to Ricardo’s proposition, everything had moved at supersonic speed.

Tiffany had been phoned and sworn to secrecy, and Jess had resigned from both her jobs. All morning, Ricardo’s chauffeur had driven her around London and she now had contact lenses, sported an amazing new wardrobe, and had been given royal treatment at a beauty parlour by the make-over specialist, Pablo.

‘It is a sin, Miss Harris, for nature’s work of art to be so disguised!’ Pablo had gushed. ‘One would never shroud the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It’s there for all to appreciate.’

Just how Pablo could have compared her to a work by Michelangelo defied belief, but then everything about her makeover had been unbelievable.

Pablo had clapped his hands and summoned a beautician and a manicurist, rattling off a number of treatments to be done before he’d work to style her
fabulous hair
into her
crowning glory
.

Good luck with that
, she’d thought wryly.

Had the whole world gone mad or was it like the story of the
Emperor’s New Coat
? If one person saw her as a beauty and exclaimed it loud enough, was everybody else supposed to agree because they were too afraid to be the ones to say exactly what they saw?

After four solid hours of being pampered and preened, Jessica was frustrated there was no mirror in sight. ‘May I see the magic you’ve worked, Pablo?’ she asked, trying to keep the note of scepticism out of her voice.

‘Not yet. First, you must get changed into your new evening outfit.’

Jessica did as she was instructed. It was amazing to slip into the black, velvet dress with capped sleeves. Although she didn’t have a mirror, she could see the cut of the waist made her look incredibly slim and the neckline hinted at a cleavage she’d never been aware of.

She walked out of the dressing room, Pablo fussed a little more with her hair, then told his assistant to bring in Señor Garcia. 

Jessica’s nerves pulled tight. The success of her entire make-over had come down to this one moment and hinged on Ricardo’s reaction and approval. Part of her wanted to race back into the dressing room and bolt the door behind her.

Would she look good enough or would he still find her
drab
?

Dread, and fear of being a laughing stock, made her stomach churn.

When Ricardo walked into the room oozing vitality and sex appeal, her heart stuttered and her vocal cords felt paralysed. Initially, she forgot her fears about her own appearance and just devoured him with her eyes. Then, his look of awe registered. She was overcome by it, wanting to burst into tears at the stunned appreciation in his eyes.

‘Turn around, Miss Harris,’ Pablo instructed.

Pablo may as well have been a master puppeteer pulling her strings, for she had no thought of doing anything but following his command. Shy, yet strangely confident, Jessica held her breath and pivoted. Her reward was in seeing the column of Ricardo’s throat move as he swallowed. Faint colour spread along his cheekbones under his olive skin.

‘You look stunning,’ he told her huskily.

‘She’s an angel!’ Pablo beamed before ordering, ‘Bring the mirror.’

A full length mirror was rolled in through a doorway.

The muscles in Jessica’s calves shook and her teeth almost chattered while she waited to see what all the fuss was about. Part of her hoped some miracle had been achieved, and part of her dreaded being disappointed. But even if she didn’t look very different, she’d started to feel it. The way people had exclaimed as they admired the work they’d done coupled with the very chic designer-label clothing she wore, already made her want to inch her chin higher so she could look the world straight in the eye.

‘Wait!’ Ricardo held up a hand.

The rolling of the mirror halted.

‘You look remarkable, but these will complete the effect.’ He placed a hand into the pocket of his suit jacket and withdrew a strand of pearls.

‘Oh my gosh! They’re exquisite.’

‘As are you.’

Did he really mean that?
The smoky quality was back in his voice. It did alarming things to her insides and made her legs weaker.

Her body responded even more erratically as he reached out, brushed the hair away from her nape and fastened the strand of pearls around her neck. The casual intimacy of his action made her tremor with raw sexual awareness. Her nipples tingled and her temperature had surely rocketed up by several degrees.

The air was thick between them as his gaze wandered from the pearls to fasten on her lips.

‘I purchased earrings as well. You’re probably better putting those on yourself with the benefit of the mirror.’ He nodded to the assistant who stood by the mirror, and the man began rolling it toward Jessica again.

Jess closed her eyes and took a breath, steeling herself for the moment of truth. When she reopened them, she looked into the mirror and saw a stranger. The impact was so staggering she stiffened. Her lips parted in an exclamation of disbelief.

Could this truly be her?

She was a picture of sophisticated beauty.

Where had that figure come from?

She’d known her eyes were her best feature. She vaguely remembered realising it when the lady from the department store had given her a makeover.

Why had she ever allowed Jett’s mockery to hurt her? Why had she thrown out those cosmetics?

Frozen for a few seconds, her eyes were the only part of her able to move. They flew from her image to Ricardo. There was a strange expression of bemusement in his expression. When his eyes left hers to travel over her features and to sweep over her body, a different light burned in them. Everywhere they travelled, her body tingled with heat, feeling his gaze like a lover’s caress.

Pulling her eyes away from him and back to her reflection, she saw the stain of a flush seep along her cheekbones. The brightness in her expression had nothing to do with the reaction to her new appearance and everything to do with the fierce stab of erotic need she experienced as Ricardo looked at her.

‘You’re happy, Miss Harris?’ Pablo asked.

When she smiled her delight, she was transformed again and she felt amazingly beautiful for the first time in her life.

‘You truly are a miracle worker, Pablo!’ she said as she ran her eyes over her image. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’

Her hair shone like polished rosewood. Instead of straightening out the unruly, natural waves, Pablo had cut and styled her hair so the waves were emphasised. Now, they framed her head softly, in an utterly feminine way.

‘Wow!’ she ventured, shaking her head in disbelief at the way her skin glowed. Her eyes were cleverly emphasised with kohl pencil to look exotic and mysterious. The tones of eye shadow made them look sultry. ‘Thank you so much! This...I...The way I look exceeds my wildest dreams.’

‘Señor Garcia?’ Pablo asked, with a satisfied smile. ‘Does Miss Harris’ appearance exceed your wildest dreams?’

Ricardo squared his shoulders. ‘You’ve done a wonderful job,’ was all he volunteered.

‘I didn’t think this was possible.’ Emotion clogged Jessica’s throat. The ugly duckling had emerged as a swan and now all sorts of possibilities opened up for her, giving her confidence and new determination.

‘No tears, Miss Harris,’ Pablo instructed. ‘I will not have puffy eyes spoil my masterpiece!’

Ricardo moved to stand behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and his eyes met hers in the mirror. ‘All you required was a little help.’

A little help?
It was the understatement of the century!

Still, excitement bubbled inside her. Her lips stretched again into a wondrous smile of pure elation.

Ricardo’s hands firmed on her shoulders and he spun her around to face him. ‘You are incredibly beautiful,’ he said, his voice slightly rough.

Then, he slanted his head toward hers, his hands cradled her head tenderly and he captured her lips in a gentle, exploratory kiss which was pure reverence.

Jessica trembled against him, her arms pinned between the softness of her breasts and the hardness of his chest. Sensation streaked through her and made her want more of the divine madness his all-too brief kiss delivered.

There was amazement and hunger in the depths of Ricardo’s brown eyes. ‘Now, everyone will believe,’ he said in a voice pitched for her ears only as he drew away from her.

Bereft at the loss of his touch, Jessica looked up at him.

Pablo’s staff burst into applause.

Oh gosh, everyone had been watching.

Despite her embarrassment, her heart beat wildly and her senses still swam from the need Ricardo had awakened within her with his one brief kiss. It was all too much, yet nowhere near enough.

The staff bustled away, Pablo shook Ricardo’s hand and then left them alone.

Looking back to Ricardo, Jessica grew confused. The desire she thought she’d seen in his eyes was gone.

Disappointment struck hard.

Had his expression been fabricated?

Her heart grew weighty with disenchantment. Of course it had been a pretence. The looks he’d sent her way had been part of the act. He’d begun the charade to convince everyone he cared for her. Now they were alone, there was no reason for an act. She had better get a firm handle on herself in case she lost sight of reality.

Now he’d increased the distance between them, she felt awkward. ‘This is all simply amazing,’ she said searching for the right words. ‘Thank you.’

It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t want me
, she told herself fiercely.
I am desirable. I really do look extraordinarily good and I don’t have to hide away anymore
.

‘I’m glad you’re happy,’ he said, handing her the pearl earrings to match her necklace.

Taking a step closer to the mirror, she put on the earrings and knew they were the final touch. There was no question of her happiness with her transformation, but she was also horribly uncertain as to how she should proceed with Ricardo.

Her plain appearance had enabled her to put a little shield around her heart. Every time she’d looked in the mirror she’d remembered she couldn’t hope for happiness in a relationship. The radical improvement changed things. She now had the looks to capture a man’s interest — the man, however, was not going to be Ricardo.

She acknowledged Ricardo’s accusation of the night before had been partly true. While she honestly hadn’t realised how great she could look, and she hadn’t wanted to risk failure in case she couldn’t look any better, clinging to her dowdy image had also made certain she didn’t attract men. It may have been a subconscious way to ensure she hadn’t been hurt again.

The counsellor had made similar observations, but it had taken Ricardo to make her see the truth.

She surveyed her reflection again and gave a slight shake of her head. ‘I actually did try once to make myself look better,’ she told him. ‘Jett just laughed when I came home after a department store makeover.’

‘The man was an idiot.’

‘I had a lot of doubts even before my marriage. The kids at school always poked fun at my appearance because Mum insisted on cutting my hair really short. In my early teenage years I begged her to let me grow it. I told her I wanted to look good.’

‘And?’

‘She told me long hair wouldn’t suit me. She said I shouldn’t try to do anything to make myself look better. I thought it was her way of telling me I
couldn’t
look better. Obviously she was wrong.’

‘Jessica —’

‘When she had men after school hours, I was always banished to my room. She didn’t want them to see me. I think she thought her ugly looking daughter would reflect badly on her.’

Ricardo regarded her with a thoughtful expression.

‘I remember hearing one of the men ask to meet me. She told him I was a dull, little mouse.’ Despite her recount of those belittling words, Jessica found relief in the confession. She’d never spoken of it to anyone. Even when the counsellor had urged her to speak of her mother, Jessica had erected firm barricades around that time of her life. Now, she found speaking of it, cathartic.

For some reason it was also important to her that Ricardo understood why she’d never made more effort with her looks.

‘Another time I heard her refer to me as an ugly duckling. I don’t think she’d recognise me if she saw me now.’

Ricardo placed his hands on her shoulders and the warmth travelled straight to her toes. ‘I may be wrong, but perhaps your mother was shielding you from those men?’

All the air whooshed out of her lungs. Tears pooled in her eyes. Her mother had never been unkind to her. In most ways she’d been very loving and quietly encouraging. Could Ricardo be right?

‘I’ve never thought of it that way.’ She tucked her confused thoughts away to reflect upon in private.