Bound By Her Ring (3 page)

How could she have been attracted to this man? What had she been thinking? He was everything she hated in a man. Arrogant, overbearing—
sexy
. She pushed that thought away. She wasn’t going there.

“No,” shaking her head in denial. “Not possible.”

“I’ve asked you before and I’ll ask you again. Why are you persisting with this charade?”

She faced him, clenching her fists against the anger and confusion flowing through her. “And I’ve answered you. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Your response when I danced with you and when I kissed you contradict your denial. You do know me Jasmine. Your body knows me.”

Unbelievable, she thought. Yes, she kissed him back and yes when they danced their bodies seemed in tune with each other. She even realised as much when they danced. But she would be damned if she was going to admit that to him. She didn’t even want to admit it to herself.

“Look, I have no time for your stupid little mind games. I’m returning to the party.”

She turned and once again headed towards the door that would lead her back to the ballroom. A chillingly quiet voice halted her progress.

“Don’t cross me Jasmine. It could get very ugly if you do.”

She turned to face him with her hands on her hips, incensed again at his demanding attitude. “You’re resorting to threats now?”

“I don’t issue threats. I’m merely giving you some friendly advice. Besides,” he continued, as he reached and ran a fingertip down her arm, “we’ve barely started discussing our future together, so if you think I’m going to let you walk through that door then you are very much mistaken.”

Jasmine groaned silently in frustration and desire, her skin tingled from his touch. So many fractured thoughts buzzed like a speeding train through her mind. What she really needed was time, time to assimilate all the scattered thoughts. Deal with the declaration Luciano had made earlier.

He was her husband.

The one man she had vowed to spend the rest of her life with. A man she had no recollection of, yet claimed they had a future to plan. It was clear he wasn’t prepared to let her leave until the plans had been discussed, and agreed to his satisfaction. Any opinions she had on the subject would be ignored.

“I will not stand here and be dictated to by you. I’ve just
met
you. You have no say in what I do anymore than the next man or even my…my father.”

A harsh laugh followed her comment. “If you don’t think your father controls you, then you’re living in a fool’s paradise. He has controlled you since the day you were born.”

“You’re incredible. How can you stand there and make that sort of comment. You don’t know anything of the sort.”

She paused, the strangest feeling sweeping over her. Had she said exactly the same words on a previous occasion? She tried to catch the elusive thought but it disappeared as quickly as a flash of lightning before she could fully concentrate on it. That’s twice in the last half hour that something similar had happened. A glimpse of something that might unlock her lost memories.

She watched as Luciano’s eyes narrowed in recognition as if he too was remembering that previous occasion. Oh how she wanted to ask him. After all this time and in the most unlikely of place he showed up and turned her world upside down with just a few softly spoken words. Could she ask him? He spoke before she could form the question. His words answering her unasked question.

“That’s where you’re wrong; I’m in the best position. As your husband and an outside observer I see things you fail to see. Even though you attempted to stand your ground earlier, if Peter hadn’t taken the stage, you would’ve caved into his demands. Even though you may try and deny it, your father still rules your every move. Always has and always will.”

Jasmine couldn’t believe the gall of the man. More to the point she didn’t want to acknowledge what he said was true. She had surprised herself when she told both her father and Luciano off. She had seen the look in her father’s eye. She’d seen it on many
occasions as she’d grown up. She’d waited for his angry outburst, grateful when he didn’t have the chance. However true Luciano’s words were, the issue was for her to deal with, not him.

“I’m tired of this conversation.”

“Why? Because it’s the truth? Until you take charge of your life you will always concede to your father’s wishes.”

Why couldn’t he leave the subject alone? He always did this. Always made her look at things when she was too afraid to do it herself. He gave her strength but he also gave her grief. She was being pulled under his intoxicating spell. Again.

“Look we’re talking in circles, It’s getting us no where Lukas. I’m tired and my head is starting to ache.” She closed her eyes as her hand rose involuntarily to touch the scar above her eyebrow.

“What did you just call me?”

Jasmine opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion. “Call you? I called you Lukas. That’s your…”

A gasp escaped her as she recognised the significance of what she’d just called him. What she’d been thinking before she’d spoken. Remembering past conversations. Remembering his personality traits. Remembering little things when she never had before.

Lukas. She’d called him Lukas. She’d remembered a name.

“That’s right Jasmine,” he replied softly. “Why did you call me Lukas?”

She looked at him searching her mind for her previous thoughts, but it was blank again. Feelings of helplessness descended upon her. She swallowed the sob that was threatening to rise up.

Earlier today she thought her life was starting to get on track. She’d accepted the fact a portion of her life would always be forgotten. But now, after just one chance encounter, she was back where she’d been just after the accident. When she’d woken in the hospital room and discovered a gaping hole resided in her mind.

“Please,” pain laced her voice and lashed her brain; her eyes pleading with Luciano to heed her wish, “let me go now. I can’t take anymore tonight.”

Silence descended for a few seconds, but it felt like forever before he answered.

“You can go, Jasmine.” The dark depth of his eyes glinted dangerously as he continued. “This is only the beginning. Trust me next time we meet I won’t be so accommodating.”

He lowered his gaze releasing her from the magic charm he held her under. But the tension in his body showed he wasn’t quite prepared to let her go.

“I’ve waited the last few weeks to see you. I can wait another day.”

Even though they were spoken in the least threatening manner, his words caused a shiver of apprehension to run down her spine as she walked back into the ballroom. An invisible thread ran between them and she could feel the slight tug of it. She turned and gave him one last look. He was where she’d left him, his expression brooding as he watched her. She almost expected him to come back and claim her but he turned his back and faced the inky black night.

After the quiet stillness of the balcony, the continuing festivities seemed unnatural to her. She stood for a moment to regain her composure.

So many things didn’t make any sense to her.

The scene she’d witnessed earlier in the evening between her father and Luciano. The animosity between the two of them was rife.

Then her encounter with Luciano on the balcony. The declaration he was her husband.

Husband
.

After all this time he turns up. Could she trust what he said?

God, she wished she could just start this day over. She felt like she’d just stepped onto a rollercoaster and her life was barrelling out of control.

It was clear to her they all shared a history. A history she knew nothing about. Something filtered through her mind. A simple comment by Luciano but one she hadn’t taken much notice of when he’d said it.

Your father knows about us, always has
.

According to Luciano, her father knew who she’d had a relationship with prior to her accident. Why hadn’t he answered her questions when she asked them? Why had he denied knowing anything? Why not help her piece things together? She needed to find him now and demand an explanation.

She looked around the room and spied her father striding out the door on the opposite side of the room to her. Any hope of talking to him tonight was shot down in flames with the door closing behind him.

Damn
.

The brightness and noise of the room became too much for her to bear. Needle points of pain resumed their stabbing. If she didn’t take her medication soon, she would be laid up for the next few days.

She made her way through the crowd and headed toward the cloak room to retrieve her evening bag. She smiled as the clerk handed it over along with her wrap. Checking the contents for her room key, she made her way towards the bank of elevators. The doors
glided open and she entered, grateful it was empty. Pressing her floor number she leaned against the glass back, her eyes drifting shut in exhaustion as she heard the soft swish of the doors closing. The sound of something connecting with the doors caused them to fly open. A hand halted the doors closing progress. She looked up and locked eyes with Luciano.

He entered the elevator, let the doors close, swiped a card over the electronic reader and then hit the emergency stop button. Jasmine braced herself, expecting an alarm to blare but the silence was more deafening. She opened her mouth to demand an explanation when his lips landed on hers.

Her senses went into overdrive. He pushed her against the back of the elevator. The combination of the cool glass on her back and heated male on her front caused bolts of desire to heat her body. Her nipples tightened and she moaned her surrender, wanting to deny him the kiss but unable to. She reached up to sink her fingers through his silky soft hair only to have Luciano abruptly move away.

Running his fingers with whisper softness down her cheek, he whispered against her lips. “Just a little something to help you sleep tonight.”

With that, he swiped his card and pushed the emergency stop button again. The doors glided open. She stood frozen to the spot as he stepped out. He turned and his gaze duelled with hers once again until the doors shut, severing their connection.

Jasmine finished the short trip to her floor in a daze.

What the hell just happened?

Her body was burning with a desire she couldn’t name, and her lips tingled in the aftermath of his possessive kiss.

The doors opened and she stumbled out heading to her room, staggering like she’d drunk ten glasses of champagne, rather than one glass of mineral water. She made it to her
door on rubbery legs, leaning her head against it. Her fingers trembling, she opened her bag, taking two attempts to extract the room key.

Finally making it into the room she headed straight for the bathroom. Flicking the light switch the room illuminated with a muted yellow glow. Gazing into the mirror, her breath hitched at the sight of her reflection. Her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink and her lips seemed plumper. Touching them with shaky fingers, Jasmine recalled the exact moment Luciano’s lips connected with hers. The way they’d moved so sensually over hers, the heat of his strong body as he pulled her closer, feeling his arousal against her belly. She groaned, pressing a hand to her quivering stomach while her eyes drifted shut. She needed him with her right now, kissing her again, touching her, making love to her.

Her eyes flew open.

“What am I going to do?” She moaned hoping her reflection could answer her question.

Turning away she turned on the taps to run her bath. When the water warmed to her liking she added some scented bath foam from the shelf above.

She undressed, letting her gown fall carelessly to the floor in a pool of purple silk. She swallowed two painkillers with a glass of water and stepped into the bath.

The lavender scent from the bath foam tickled her nostrils as she sank lower in the tub letting the warm water cocoon her in a lover’s embrace. Reaching over she pushed a button and the jets started bubbling the water.

“Bliss,” she sighed quietly, the ache in her head starting to subside.

Slowly relaxing she drifted into a dreamlike state, to another time, another bath.

The scene unfolded in her mind. Hazy at first but then clearing to reveal candles of all shapes, sizes and colors decorating the room, their flames casting a golden glow
.

Soft music played in the background, creating an atmosphere of romance. A scene set for seduction
.

Jasmine could see herself lying in the bath; feel the warmth of the tub on her back. In the scene she closed her eyes, took a sip of her champagne and hummed along with the tunes. It wasn’t long before strong masculine hands closed about her shoulders. She moaned in appreciation and let her head fall forward as the hands began a sensual massage on her neck and shoulders
.

Calloused fingers trailed down her spine before making their way up and to the side of her body. His thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts causing a shiver of desire to run through her body, her nipples tightening in anticipation. The hands cupped her sensitive breasts, rolling her nipple between his fingers
.

Resting against a warm male chest, soft lips lightly brushed her ear, his tongue tracing the outline before sucking on her lobe. Shudders of sexual appreciation wracked her body, his touch so familiar
.

His hands cupped her breasts again, massaging them, arousing her even more. Bolts of sensation flowed through her, arrowing down to her feminine core. Moaning she lay her head back against his chest. His lips trailed down from her ear to her neck, nipping softly as they went
.

Unable to lie still any longer, she turned in his arms, uncaring of the water sloshing over the sides of the tub. Jasmine raised her head eagerly for a kiss, her body throbbing with a desire desperate to be released. Reaching up she pulled his head down to hers. Before their lips touched, she traced the outline of his full lips and looked deeply into her lover’s eyes. “Lukas,” she whispered, moments before he captured her lips in a bone melting kiss
.