The Undoing of de Luca by Kate Hewitt Page A

have made the connection earlier, when she’d learned what Larenz’s last name was. Yet, even though she’d known him to be rich, she hadn’t quite realized just how powerful and wealthy he truly was.
    He really was slumming here, staying at the Manor, flirting with her. Amusing himself, and that only a little.
    ‘Amelie scouted your Manor for a fashion shoot,’ Larenz continued. ‘The shoot will launch a new line of haute couture I’ve commissioned, and I’d like it to be done here.’
    Ellery stared at him in disbelief, her lunch—and even her longings—momentarily forgotten. ‘You want to stage a fashion photography shoot here?’
    Larenz smiled, steepling his fingers under his chin. ‘Is that so strange?’
    ‘As a matter of fact, yes. There are dozens—hundreds—of manor houses in this country, houses that are in better shape than Maddock.’ It hurt to say it, even though it was glaringly obvious. ‘Why would you choose a third-rate place?’
    He was still smiling that faint mocking little smile that drove her just about crazy. Ellery bit the inside of her cheek. ‘You don’t think much of your home.’
    ‘I’m honest,’ Ellery returned flatly. ‘Something I don’t think you’re being.’
    ‘Maddock Manor has a certain…ambience…we’d like for the photo shoot.’
    Ellery stared at him for a full minute, trying to grasp what he was saying. She was missing something, she was sure of it, because there was no way one of Europe’s most elite stores would want to market their new high-end fashion label at a falling-down wreck of a house in deepest Suffolk. Was there? She narrowed her eyes. ‘This is pity, isn’t it?’
    ‘Pity?’ Larenz repeated questioningly, as though the word was unfamiliar to him. Before Ellery could make any kind of reply, he reached over and touched his thumb to the corner of her mouth, pressing lightly against her skin.
    Ellery’s lips parted instinctively and she heard her breath escape in a tiny, soft sigh that betrayed her utterly. Larenz’s smile deepened and he murmured, ‘You had a bit of sauce there.’
    Ellery felt a flush burn its way up her body, right to the roots of her hair. She’d always blushed easily and she hated it especially now, for surely Larenz saw how he’d affected her—how he’d meant to affect her, touching her so provocatively.
    Or perhaps it hadn’t been provocative; perhaps he’d merely been wiping away a dab of sauce, and she’d read more into it because she was so desperate with longing.
    She rose from the table, reaching for the dishes almost blindly and bringing them to the sink, her back to Larenz.
    ‘Ellery?’ he asked, his voice mild yet questioning.
    Ellery dumped the dishes into the sink and watched almost impassively as a bowl broke cleanly in half. She hated how confused she felt, sensuality and self-protection warring within her while Larenz seemed completely unaware of the pitched battle going on.
    She heard him rise from the table; she sensed him standing close behind her, felt his heat and his strength. She even inhaled the now familiar tang of his aftershave. ‘Why are you doing this?’ she asked in a low voice. She realized she no longer cared if she embarrassed herself. She needed to know why. Was he even aware of how much he affected her? Surely he had to be. Surely he was enjoying this little game.
    ‘Doing what?’ Larenz asked. His voice was carefully bland.
    Ellery turned around. ‘Teasing me,’ she said, her voice still low. ‘With this ridiculous business proposition, with—’ She swallowed, unwilling even now to admit how much his careless little touches and flirtations affected her. ‘Are you amusing yourself for the weekend because your lover left early? Since nobody else is available, you’ve decided I’ll do?’ The accusations poured out, scraping her throat raw. ‘I don’t need your pity, Mr—’
    He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. ‘You think I pity you?’
    ‘I know