When she knocked on the door and waited, she felt a familiar pull wash over her. Her stomach tightened and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Enter,” the deep, smooth and deliciously masculine voice came from beyond.
Cally breathed in and reached for the handle, and as she stepped inside, her eyes instinctively searched for whoever had summoned her. But the room appeared to be empty.
In front of her, she could see a large mahogany desk, and the back of a tall, leather chair. She faltered for a moment as her eyes trailed down and she saw the big, rough hand still on the arm rest, and then slowly, very slowly, the chair began to turn and her heart caught in her throat.
At first, she couldn’t believe what she was really seeing. Her heart was pounding so hard, and her vision was blurring. Could it really be...? Or was she imagining it? Her mouth sagged open and she reached up to her chest and clutched her collar.
But it was most certainly him... There was no mistaking it.
Those dark brooding eyes... And his wicked, wicked grin.
“Hugo?” she almost whispered.
He got to his feet, a warm smile on his face and an expression which quickly turned to that pure animalistic lust that had pulled her in on the night they had very first met.
“Cally,” he said deeply.
She took a step backwards, shocked and stunned into silence, she didn’t know where to look or what to do.
He looked just as handsome as he had on the night they had caught each other’s eye in the bar, and yet, there, in that amazing setting and beautiful home, Cally felt as if she suddenly saw him for who he really was. He wasn’t just handsome, he was immaculate. He was well groomed and moneyed and rugged to boot. He was the perfect mix of hard and soft. The perfect gentleman.
She smiled and bit her bottom lip and then she shrugged.
“Oh my goodness,” she said, almost in disbelief. “I can’t believe it’s you.”
Hugo took a step forward and smiled at her again, his dark eyes glinting underneath the glow of the chandelier that hung high above his head.
“Well, I would be lying if I said the same...” he said as he trailed off. “I always knew we would be together again.”
Cally was stuck for words. This was a man that she had taken home and never seen or heard from again. And now he was there, right in front of her, as if nothing had happened and as if they knew each other inside out... Which, technically, they kind of did...
“I... You...” Cally began to stutter.
“I know,” he said as he moved closer and pulled up a chair. He motioned for Cally to sit and so she did. She pulled her knees together protectively, but she felt nothing cold toward him. She had always remembered their time together fondly and now she was in front of him again, she couldn’t help but feel the familiar pangs of lust and desire come flooding back. He really was something else. Something wild.
He sat down next to her and took hold of her hand.
“I know I just disappeared,” he said. “And I want you to know that that wasn’t my intention. Truly, it wasn’t.”
Cally looked into his eyes and she was sure something flashed across them. Something otherworldly, something that wasn’t quite human and she felt her pulse quicken. He was so different to anyone she had ever met and his skin was red hot to the touch, as if he had fire in his veins.
“The night we met was quite frankly the best of my life,” he said with a gentle honesty. “And I have thought about it pretty much every second ever since...” he squeezed her hand tightly and smiled. “There is a lot I need to explain, but I hope you will let me.”
Cally found herself nodding, even though she wasn’t sure that she should. He had just disappeared on her... How could she trust him?
“I knew you were coming here today,” he said. “It was me who called the agency and told them to send you straight away. I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw your resume fly into my inbox.” He stopped and laughed a little and shook his head. “But then, you were never going to be apart from me for long, were you?”
His eyes were deep and all engulfing. Cally didn’t know consciously what he meant, but on some subconscious level, she could feel their bond and it was intensifying now that they were back in front of one another.
“What do you mean?” she whispered.
Hugo traced a finger down her cheek and looked deep into her eyes.
“I mean, you and I... It was supposed to happen,” he smiled. “The second I saw you, I knew you were mine.”
Cally was in a trance, looking into his perfect eyes and caught up in his silky smooth voice.
“But... I came here for a job,” she stammered. “I don’t understand.”
“Cally,” he said. “I really do have a lot to tell you and a lot to explain. But maybe it would all be too much for one day.”
He rose to his feet and held out his hand. Cally slipped her palm into his and joined him as he began to lead her toward a tall set of French doors that led out onto another private courtyard, full of lemon trees and fountains. Cally’s eyes darted around, it was as if she had been transported to another land. It was a private little oasis of calm, right there, adjoining his office. She looked up at the clear blue sky above them and then back to Hugo, who was watching her fondly.
“Is this even real?” she asked with a half laugh. “I’m going to wake up any moment, aren’t I? I can’t believe, after all this time, we’re standing here together... And we’re here. In this incredible villa, hidden away in the middle of the city...”
“It isn’t a dream, I assure you,” he smiled. “This is my life. My home, my business, my empire... And it hasn’t been safe to bring you into it until now.” He looked down at her and she felt herself stiffen up.
Not safe?
“I’ll explain everything,” he said. “If you’ll let me.”
And Cally nodded her head again, knowing that whatever he had to tell her, it would surely be worth her sticking around to listen.