Trace stood in Diana’s office doorway and observed her while she focused on the large global map on the wall. She was concentrating and unaware of his presence. Diana had been avoiding him, and he didn’t like it. He knew she didn’t want to face him after what had happened in his office. To accept the pleasure she’d felt in his arms would mean surrender, and one thing Diana wouldn’t do is surrender.
It had been a long couple of weeks; he had been busy running both companies, and by the time he returned to the mansion it was usually well past midnight. In the morning, she was normally on her morning jog by the time he descended the stairs at 6 a.m. She stayed clear of the house until he left for the office.
After his mother took leave of his office that fateful morning, he had tried to smooth things over with Diana, but to no avail. She was even more wary of him now. Crispina’s untimely entrance had Diana retreating.
He needed to regroup and devise a new plan of attack. He wanted her, but he wanted revenge more…or did he? He didn’t love her. His brain rebelled in confusion and his heart raced at the revelation that he could still love her. He breathed deeply, trying to gain control. No, he wouldn’t allow himself to love her again.
He caught his breath when she reached for a pushpin on the map and her dress rode up a little, revealing the smooth contour of the back of her thighs. A rush of desire hit him full force as he remembered what had transpired in his office. God, he couldn’t get over how she’d responded to him. Stop torturing yourself. It’s only lust. Is it really? He closed his eyes to clear the traitorous thought.
In the past five years he’d made love to other women—some more beautiful than Diana—but none ignited him the way Diana did.
“I see you’re busy,” he said as he stepped through the open door and closed it. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by unannounced.”
Diana spun around, her face showing shock that she quickly masked. Confusion marked her lovely features for a moment, but was quickly replaced with a frown. She was good at covering her feelings, but she hadn’t been quick enough. She was happy to see him. Trace knew she expected him to be in New York and not standing in her office.
She smoothed the wrap dress that hugged her curves. Her fingers ran through her hair. The gesture stretched the fabric across her breasts and accented their fullness. Her long hair was loose and feathered around her face. She looked young and innocent, but he knew better. His breath caught in his throat as he remembered a time when her hair was wild across his pillow as he made love to her. Trace knew she favored dresses over slacks. This was one morning he was glad she did.
“Yes, I’m a little busy planning the ad campaign for the new wines that are coming out in September.” She bit her lips. Trace smiled, glad that he had an effect on her. “When did you get back?” She licked her lips drawing his attention to them.
“An hour ago.” His eyes roamed the soft lips he had kissed so often in the past and still craved. He cleared his throat. “I heard from Dominic that your ideas for the new ads are great.”
“I’m glad he approves. I value his opinion.”
Dominic Mello was a Pisano cousin in charge of all of the Pisano wineries. He was revered all over the world for his expertise in the winemaking field.
“It seems John made a good decision appointing you the VP of Marketing.”
“I worked hard for the position, Trace. Contrary to what people may think, John didn’t give me the position because we were married. People forget that I graduated from the Wharton School of Business.”
“I wasn’t implying that the job was given to you, Diana. I’m on the board of directors. I know your worth.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He looked around the room, walked to the outer office, and turned toward her. “Where is Susan? I heard she’s your right hand. I haven’t seen her since I’ve been back.”
Susan Torres had worked for Pisano since she was eighteen. Now thirty, she was Diana’s senior marketing manager. Susan had started out as a receptionist and had gone to college at night to earn her degree.
A smile came to Diana’s face, mesmerizing Trace.
“Sunday is her parents’ thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. I gave her today off to finish the loose ends for the surprise party she is giving them. She wants everything to be perfect.”
“I want you to know you were right about Susan. It’s a huge responsibility but I heard she’s doing a fantastic job on the Japanese project. She doesn’t need a watchdog.”
Diana gave him a wide smile and look that said ‘I told you so.’ “Is that an apology?”
He grinned. “I’ve already given you a pound of flesh. What more do you want?”
“Thanks for apologizing. I knew everything would turn out to be perfect.” Her smile was infectious, and he was blinded by its invisible pull.
“I can understand wanting everything to be perfect,” he murmured. His gaze held hers and wouldn’t let go.
She exhaled nervously. “Thank you for telling me about Susan. I knew she could handle the job.”
He gave a faint smile at her prim and proper tone. “I also came to take you to lunch.”
She blinked. “Why?”
“I want to go over the marketing strategy for the new high-rise.” His eyes watched her face, taking in her consternation.
“Isn’t the design department in charge of the project? I’ve already sent over the preliminary ad and promo.”
“I know. I’ve already seen what you sent. However, I had a meeting with them and gave some input. I’d now like to share my ideas with you.”
“You seem to be up to speed.”
“For the last few months, I have been overseeing Pisano and Montgomery operations from the London office. Using Webex, I was kept abreast of what was going on.”
“I see.”
He saw she was hurt at the fact she wasn’t consulted on the decision. “I don’t think you do. The board and I made a decision to keep things quiet. Our competition can be vicious. If they thought for one minute that Pisano had suffered a weakness due to John’s death, a hostile takeover could’ve been imminent. With me running the business, there was never a dip in our strength.”
“I do understand. However, you don’t need to take me to lunch.” She turned back to the map and began to remove some of the pushpins, dropping them into a box on her desk. “Just send me a memo with your ideas or whatever revisions you want done.”
She was uneasy and appeared to be desperate to keep him at arm’s length. He realized she didn’t trust herself with him. It gave him pleasure to know that.
“Are you afraid of being alone with me, Diana? I promise we’ll lunch in a crowded restaurant.”
She glanced at him. “I’m not afraid. I just don’t see the need.”
“You’re still running.”
She bristled. “I’m not running. I’m extremely busy.”
“So busy I haven’t seen you in days.”
“You’ve been in New York.”
“Only for two days.”
“Raven’s Nest is a very large mansion,” Diana declared.
“Excuses, Diana?”
“I’m not going to play this game with you, Trace.”
“What game?”
She ignored his question, but he waited. “I’m not having lunch with you.”
“Why not? It’s only lunch.”
By the tightening of her lips, he could see she wasn’t happy. He could always tell when he pushed her too far. Right now, she was pissed. And it made him smile. He liked it when Diana let go and showed emotion instead of giving him a cold stare.
“You can have the revisions sent to me. I’ll make the necessary changes and send them to design,” she said.
“Dismissing me?” He had forgotten how much she hated confrontations. She had a habit of changing the flow of conversation when she was cornered or felt uncomfortable. She could do it so smoothly that most times it went unnoticed. “I won’t be dismissed.”
“No. You probably won’t. And that’s always been your problem. You don’t really care or listen to anyone. It doesn’t matter to you that I want to be left alone. You don’t see me as a woman who just doesn’t want to become involved with you. You have absolutely no idea who I am or what I want. You’ve never taken the time to find out.”
To his surprise, her beautiful brown eyes clouded and she blinked feverishly. She took long breaths to get control. It wasn’t like Diana to be so emotional. Something was going on with her. He wondered what it could be. Sooner or later he would find out. Her tears wouldn’t make up for what she’d done, but it might be a small start.
Abruptly, he moved around the desk to stand in front of her. She took a step back, putting a small space between them. He closed the gap and reached to stroke a finger lightly across her cheek. Just touching her, the electricity vibrated through his hand and up his arm. Again, his mind betrayed him as he remembered how much he had loved her once. He shook with the force of it and fought hard for control. He wanted to banish her sadness and see her genuine smile.
What was wrong with him? This was the woman who’d betrayed him and married another man…but he still wanted her.
“I’m not going anywhere, Diana. No matter how much you protest I know you want me. You proved it in my office.”
“I knew you’d bring that up.”
“I won’t let you pretend it never happened.”
“It was a mistake that I’ll not be repeating.”
“Diana, don’t throw down the gauntlet and expect me not to pick it up. We started something and it will be finished.” He paused. “We could be perfect together. Remember how it was five years ago?” His voice was husky as he moved in closer to her. “After a night in my bed, you’ll never want to leave it again.”
“This is about sex.”
“That and more.”
“Are you saying you’ve spent the past five years pining for me?” There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone, but the tiny pulse beating at her throat told him she wasn’t as indifferent as she pretended to be.
“Our relationship was too much for you five years ago. Too powerful. Too consuming. You were barely twenty and didn’t know how to control the fire that burned between us. You were scared, so you ran,” he explained. “You weren’t ready for us.” He grinned. “Never has any woman affected me the way you do.”
She frowned. “Don’t expect me to fall at your feet.”
He laughed. “I don’t expect you to fall at my feet, just into my arms.”
“This is no laughing matter, Trace.”
The look on his face turned serious. “Are you still so naïve that you don’t recognize powerful chemistry between a man and woman? When the time comes, you won’t have a choice. Your need for me will outweigh your desire to run from me.”
She shook her head in awe. “Your arrogance is unbelievable. You think all you have to do is say the words and it will happen. You’ll not control me. I won’t let it happen.”
Trace looked at Diana and realized it wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d thought. Since Diana, women in his life had been interchangeable, actresses and models hoping to snag him, even society debutantes and royal princesses with the right pedigrees, but they had all left him empty.
“You think not? I want you in my life again.”
“What?”
“I’m the heir apparent to two corporations. Although there are many cousins, your son will eventually inherit Pisano. He needs to be groomed for the position.”
“Is this some sort of joke?” she asked, a deep frown marring her features.
“Wouldn’t you like for your son to be my heir? Just think, Diana, with my shares he will control everything.”
“You don’t know anything about Nicky.”
“But I know you, and that John was his father. He helped raise me, and I know what kind of man he was.”
“What do you get out of this?”
“The chance to know you again.”
She ignored his comment. “Nicky might not want Pisano. Besides, you’ll marry one day and have children.”
“No, I won’t.” He’d only wanted to marry one woman. He ran his hands through his dark locks. “Look, your son has Pisano blood. As my heir, it’ll make him next in line to inherit everything.”
A twisted smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “And what would your mother have to say about this?” For a brief moment, he saw a flash of pain in her eyes.
“My mother has nothing to do with this. She’ll accept my decision.” And she would, he thought, because she didn’t want to lose him.
Diana laughed cruelly. “It’s no secret that Crispina and I don’t like each other. You honestly believe your mother would meekly accept her only son being with a woman she detests? She barely tolerated me five years ago. Do you think she’ll let you enter into a relationship with me again? You need to think again, Trace. It’s not going to happen.” She took a step from him. “Your mother will never accept this. But whatever happens, I won’t back down from Crispina, not this time.”
“I am my own person. Crispina doesn’t rule me.”
She laughed again. “I’ll not change for anyone. I love being who I am. I come from generations of strong, proud, hard-working people. Your family could never understand why John married me. But John loved me and I loved him.” Trace stiffened. “I was a misfit in the midst of money, power, and an old lineage. I wasn’t accepted, nor was I liked. I learned to survive, and it made me stronger. I’ll not go through that turmoil with your family again.”
He cupped her face gently with one hand. “I don’t want you to change. I like you just the way you are. When I first saw you sitting in John’s office, my interest was piqued and I wanted to get to know you. I know you felt the instantaneous connection as much as I did. You were the first woman who had ever truly interested me. I didn’t see a black woman, but a woman I wanted to get to know a whole lot better. Your no-nonsense attitude and outspoken ways captivated me and your beauty made me hotter than hell.”
She moved slightly and his hand fell from her face. “Too much has happened between us. I have too much at stake.”
With mounting exasperation, he realized she was determined to keep her distance. He had forgotten how stubborn she could be. However, he refused to give up. He wanted her…badly. She would be his.
“Diana, we were once lovers, but we were also friends. Give me the chance to prove we can at least be friends again. You ended our relationship prematurely. We were good together, and I believe we can be again. Give me time to prove it. If your feelings change, we’ll move the relationship to another level. If, at the end of the two months, you want to remain friends, we will.”
She stared unblinkingly at him. “Have you been drinking or something? You can’t be serious.”
“I’m very serious, Diana. I made a mistake not to come after you, a mistake I regret. I want a chance to rectify things.”
“Why?”
“I need closure,” he said.
She chuckled. “Shouldn’t that be my line? What kind of relationship do you want?”
“What do you think, Diana?”
“Maybe you want me as your mistress again. It would put me in a humiliating position, and you would have your revenge.”
He frowned because she was closer to the truth than she could imagine. “Five years ago, we were lovers in a relationship. You were never my mistress.”
“You didn’t love me then, nor do you love me now, Trace.”
He looked at her and persisted. “I want you.”
Confusion clouded her eyes. “Why me?”
“I like you, Diana. You’re smart and I admire you. You never let adversaries stop you from making your life successful. We used to laugh together and really enjoy each other’s company. I want to explore that again.”
“What about what happened five years ago? Are we going to pretend it never happened?”
He shrugged. “The past is where it belongs. Let’s keep it there.”
“Just like that we pick up where we left off five years ago?”
“Diana, we never made promises.”
“But—”
Holding up his hand, he stopped her. “Look, we both made mistakes. I think this is a second chance for the both of us.”
“I have a request.”
“What is it?
“At the reading of the will, you inherited everything of John’s. I don’t want to be beholden to you. I want control of my son’s inheritance.”
“Your son’s inheritance is set up to be administered by me.”
“You can relinquish your role.”
“Your son is a Pisano. He’ll one day be running a billion-dollar company and will need to know how to rule. I can teach him that.”
“I’ll not be under your thumb. I can provide what he needs.”
He inhaled deeply. Irritated, he ran his fingers through his hair, making the ends stand to attention. “You’re not under my control, Diana.”
“Really? John left money and shares to Nicky, but I didn’t receive anything but half of Raven’s Nest. Saying it was a shock is an understatement. He knew I was capable of administering Nicky’s trust.”
He paused and looked at her with new conviction. Diana was a lot tougher than he’d thought. He would have to tread lightly with her if he intended to get his revenge. He wanted his fill of her, and then he would drop her just as she’d done him. He had every intention of getting her to fall in love with him. He wanted her to feel the pain and devastation he felt. Thinking about her in his bed made his heart beat at an alarming rate. He had to be careful he didn’t fall into the trap he had set for her. He couldn’t let that happen.
“I’ll compromise. I’ll make sure I get your input when it comes to your son’s trust.”
She stared at him without blinking. He knew she wanted something else. He didn’t have to wait long.
“I want it in writing,” she said.
He bristled at her words. “My word is my bond. But to make you see my word is good, I’ll ask Martin to draw up the papers on your behalf.”
“Good.”
“You’re a good negotiator.”
“I had the best teacher, my husband.”
“Yes, you did.” He was silent for a moment. “We’ll start this new friendship with dinner tonight.”
“Are you asking or demanding?” she asked with a frown, her hands planted on her hips. She looked ready to do battle.
He grinned. “I’m asking.”
“Since you’re asking, it doesn’t have to be cozy, just good food. While you try to make something develop between us, I might as well get a good meal out of it.”
Trace laughed. “If you want to fool yourself, be my guest. I’ll see you tonight.”
He turned to leave her office but she stopped him. “Trace, don’t think you’ll seduce me. What happened in your office will not happen again.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “If you believe that then I know you are fooling yourself.” He walked out and closed the door quietly behind him.