Page 35 of Hard Lessons

Much as she wanted to stay and argue her point, nature called. She dashed around the hedge, hoisted up her skirt, and squatted with a sigh.

But the relief was short lived. Right now she should be enjoying a first-class ride across the Atlantic, not using some cow-grazed patch of land as a bathroom.

Damn Luca.

Damn his stupid plan to take her to Scotland.

The scent of smoke wafted toward her. And when she’d finished and walked back to the car, the bright tip of his cigarette glowed.

He blew out a stream from the right side of his mouth. “Want one?”

“I gave up.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, when I joined the gym, not the done thing there.”

“Ah,si, that swanky hundred quid a month joint in Chelsea.”

She scowled though she wasn’t surprised he knew. “Paulo kept you well informed, I see.”

He laughed. “Si, him and everyone else. But you must have known that.”

“Of course I knew I was being watched, just didn’t think you’d stoop so low as having my phone tapped.”

“For the record, keeping tabs on you kept you safe. I wasn’t there; I had to make sure someone else was. I needed you safe, Serena.”

“You call this safe? I’m in the middle of God only knows where, with a man who’s had me tied up in the back of his car for hours.”

He dragged on his cigarette. “Si.” Smoke trickled from his lips. “When you’re with me it’s the safest you’ll ever be; well,youare, your ass cheeks I’m not so sure. They’re in danger of becoming very red, very soon.”

Serena clenched her jaw and her buttocks tingled. Luca wasn’t shy of giving her ass a swift slap, but it had always been during sex, for fun, to heighten sensation. Right now, judging by the glint in his eyes, she wasn’t so sure he was talking about the same kind of red cheeks.

She was reminded of the words he’d spoken when they’d been rushing back to the apartment with the money—words that had made her angry. He wanted to spank her because he thought she’d been flirting with their hit! That she’d done more than was necessary to entice David Watson.

‘We’re going back to the apartment and you’re going over my knee for a sound spanking. Your pert little bottom will be red raw by the time I’m finished with you.’

“Come on,” he said, dropping the smoke and grinding it into the earth. “Not long now.” He opened the door to the back seat. “Get in, and be good or you’ll be tied up again.”

She dropped down, a scowl plowing over her forehead. She’d never been treated this way. Her brother would spin a fit if he knew about this. The first chance she got, she’d get a message to him. Luca would have to answer to Diego Ricci then. That would serve him right.

Though in all honesty, if it came to fists, Luca would likely have the upper hand.

She folded her arms, hugging herself, as Luca pulled back onto the main road. There had to be a way out of this damn situation. Somehow. Perhaps she’d just have to bide her time, wait until Luca was distracted and then make a dash for it. She had money; if she took it with her she could be on another flight in a few days and still carry out her plan.

Yes, that’s what she’d do. She was a fighter. She never gave up. That wasn’t the way she’d been raised. She’d figure this out, one way or another.

* * *

The drive through windingdark roads bracketed by looming black hills seemed to go on forever. Serena found her eyes closing and she nodded off into a doze. She didn’t know how Luca had kept going for so long, but then, he had always shown amazing stamina, in every aspect of his life.

“Serena, we’re here.”

“Mmm, what?” She opened her eyes and realized the engine had gone quiet.

“We’re here.” Luca stepped out of the car.

Serena rubbed her eyes then yawned. She had no idea of the time but the sky was bright with stars and a full moon hung heavy.

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