Celine didn’t know if it was out of annoyance at her questions or simply because he was thinking. She decided to assume he was thinking. Now would be the best time to air her major concern. “I know who made those suggestions. It was Sophia, wasn’t it?”
He nodded.
“And did you ever stop to think that she might have an ulterior motive?”
Pierce cocked an eyebrow and stared back at her. He said nothing. He was obviously waiting on her to explain herself.
“Sophia has made it very clear that she doesn’t want Kylie…or me…around.” She shook her head as the anger rose in her. “I don’t care what she thinks about me but how could she dislike Kylie?”
Pierce frowned. “What makes you think that?”
Men were so dense. How could he not know what the woman was really like? “Pierce, haven’t you noticed how cool her interaction is with Kylie? It was only after the death of Kylie’s mother that she acted with any kind of warmth… if you can call giving a few stuffed toys being warm.”
Celine got up, unable to stay seated any longer. She needed to express herself and she needed her hands, her whole body in order to do that. She was wound too tight sit still. And she had to make him understand.
She wrung her hands together then she blurted it out, that thing that had been worrying her all this time. “What’s going to happen to Kylie when you and Sophia get married? How is she going to live with a woman like that?”
“What?” Pierce looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Sophia,” Celine said exasperated. Why was he pretending? “She said you’ve been seeing each other for years and that it was only because of your business and frequent travels that you decided to delay marriage.” When Pierce still looked dumbstruck she waved her hand in an expression of frustration. “Think about it. Now that there’s a child in your home there’s no reason to delay the marriage. In fact, it’s a very good reason to settle down. But then who’s going to protect Kylie from…her?”
Her voice cracked and she felt the sting of a tear in the corner of her eye. She turned away. The last thing she wanted was for him to see how this was affecting her. Let him think this was only about Kylie because Kylie was, in truth, her greatest concern. But deep down inside she had to admit it was about her, too. How could she bear the pain of knowing that she didn’t have a chance in this world of being with the man who had stolen her heart?
Pierce burst out laughing.
Celine whirled round to face him. What in the world did he find so funny? Before she could move he was on his feet and walking toward her. Then he was close enough that she breathed in the fragrance of what must have been the bath gel he showered with. It was a fresh, masculine scent that had her reeling.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Rest assured, Sophia and I are not getting married.”
She looked up into his eyes, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. “You’re not?”
“No,” he said, “we’re not.” He let his hand slid from her shoulder but he did not step away. Instead, he took her hands in his. “I’ve known Sophia for many years. I met her through her husband.” When Celine frowned he smiled. “They’re divorced. She got the house.” Then he shook his head. “Trust me, whatever Sophia led you to believe, there is nothing going on between us. We’re just friends.”
“Then why would she…” Celine’s voice trailed away.
“Who knows? Maybe she just enjoyed leading you astray.” Pierce shrugged. “Maybe she thinks you’re a threat to our friendship.”
Now Celine was really confused. “Me? How? I’m just the nanny.”
“Oh, but a very beautiful, extremely seductive nanny.”
Celine’s heart lurched at his words. She looked up quickly, her eyes searching his. Was he toying with her? But no, his green eyes had clouded over with a passion that could not be mistaken.
“Let me kiss you, Celine,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I’ve been dying to taste your lips again and it’s driving me crazy.”
Celine looked deep into his eyes. She should resist him. Dear God, she knew she should. But how could she when her body was reacting so strongly to his? Her breath caught in her throat as her ni**les pebbled in response to his closeness and, oh Lord, she was growing moist. Down there. She ducked her head as a wave of embarrassment washed over her.
But, just as he’d done by the stream, Pierce took control. He would not let her flee. With a gentle hand under her chin he tilted her head up. Then he dipped his head and covered her mouth with his.
The kiss by the stream had been gentle and sweet. This kiss was nothing of the sort. Pierce kissed her with a fervor that spoke of pent-up passion and desire and this time it seemed he was holding nothing back.
His tongue slipped past her lips to plunder her mouth till she was gasping. Her hands slid up to his shoulders, so solid and strong, and there she clung. Her legs, like jelly, could no longer support her. She’d turned to chocolate and had melted in his heated hands.
Pierce released her lips just long enough to bend and lift her off her feet and into his arms.
“Pierce,” she gasped. “What are you doing?”
“Just making you more comfortable.” He grinned wickedly, his green eyes glinting in the light cast by the lamp in the corner of the room. “Just relax,” he whispered. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
He took her over to the long black couch and laid her gently in the cushions then he was leaning over her, blocking out the light and all she could see was his handsome face - his strong forehead, firm lips and his rugged jaw with the captivating cleft in his chin.
Celine shivered, suddenly feeling out of her depth. Reste tranquile, Celine. Calm down. He’s only a man after all. But that was the problem. Pierce D’Amato was all man and he wanted her. She could see it in the flash of his eyes. She could hear it in the rasping of his breath as he dipped his head to kiss her neck. She could feel it in the pounding of his heart as she pressed her hand against his chest. And even worse, she could feel the intensity of his passion in the hardness that now pressed against her leg.