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  “It's fantastic.” She couldn't take her eyes off the gleaming white three storey building.

  “Come on.” Raw led the way up a flight of steps which ran up the outside of the villa.

  Lacey couldn't wait to change and get back outside on the terrace. She hadn't thought to pack sun tan lotion, but maybe she'd find some inside. What she really needed was a swimming costume. Perhaps she could nip into the town and buy one.

  “This is your room.” Raw slid open a wooden door to reveal a huge bedroom with a breathtaking view over the harbour. Lacey had no idea a bedroom could be so beautiful. The king size bed looked minuscule in such a large space. Mirror-fronted wardrobes ran along one wall. The en-suite bathroom was larger than the whole of her flat.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “Glad you like it.” Raw checked his watch. “I've scheduled the meeting for eleven.”

  “Meeting?”

  “Be downstairs in fifteen minutes. I'll brief you before they arrive.”

  “They?”

  “Kevin Masters. He might bring some of his people with him.”

  “For the meeting?”

  “Are you okay Lacey? You look a little—I don't know—confused?”

  “I'm fine. It's just the heat. I'll freshen up and then meet you downstairs.”

  “Okay.”

  Raw disappeared out of the door.

  “Meeting?” she said to herself, as she walked over to the window.

  Had they really come all the way to this beautiful villa for a damn meeting? He'd tricked her into thinking he was going to try to seduce her. He'd got her here under false pretences that's what he'd done. “Aaaargh!” The man was impossible!

  She took off a shoe and hurled it across the room. “Bloody meeting?” she screamed, as she hurled the other shoe.

  “Are you all right, madam?”

  Lacey spun around to see an elderly man dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and grey tie.

  “Yes,” she said, but was fairly sure he'd just witnessed her tantrum.

  “I'm Wiggins. The butler.”

  A traditional English butler was the last thing she'd expected to find in a villa in Cannes. He must have been absolutely sweltered in that suit.

  “Can I get you a drink? Something to eat perhaps?”

  “I don't suppose you have any suntan lotion?”

  “I'm sure I can find some.”

  “That would be great. Could you leave it on the table?” Lacey figured the meeting couldn't go on all day—maybe she'd be able to catch a few hours of sun later. She considered asking Wiggins about a swimming costume, but thought better of it.

  “Will that be all, madam?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  “If you do need anything, just press the button.” He pointed to a small red button on the wall next to the bed.

  “Right. Thank you.”

  After unpacking, freshening up, and retrieving her shoes, Lacey made her way downstairs. But where downstairs? There were a hundred and one rooms. Which way? After a few moments of indecision, she heard Raw's voice, and followed the sound. He was standing next to the open door which led out onto the terrace where sun loungers were dotted around the swimming pool. What wouldn't she give to be out there in the sun? Raw was on the phone—giving someone a hard time.

  “Did Wiggins get you something to eat or drink?” Raw asked when he'd ended the call.

  “I didn't want anything. Where did you find him? He's adorable.”

  “He sort of came with the villa.”

  “He's not very French.”

  “He used to work for the woman who had the villa before me. He'd been with her for thirty years. When she died, and the property was put on the market, Wiggins stayed on to look after the place until it was sold. I was going to have to set someone on anyway, so I asked if he'd like to work for me.”

  “You're just a big softy at heart aren't you?”

  “Don't let my competitors hear you say that. Come on. We need to go through this paperwork before they arrive.”

  He gave Lacey a quick run-down. Raw Trading had been courting Kevin Masters for several years. The Masters Corporation owned a chain of budget hotels throughout Europe. According to Raw, the hotels were badly managed and consequently under performing.

  “These are the figures you had me compile yesterday.”

  “That's right. I hadn't expected things to move quite so quickly, but I received an email from Masters after you'd left. He seemed keen to talk, so here we are.”

  “So, you're going to be in the hotel business?”

  “If he signs on the dotted line.”

  “Will he?”

  “Who knows? Masters is a strange one—very hard to read. My sources tell me that he has serious cash flow problems. I'm pretty sure he's run out of options with the banks. We'll see.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “It's difficult to predict how the discussions will go. You'll have to get whatever info I need from head office.”

  “Will there be anyone there today?”

  “A few board members possibly, but you might have to track the others down. They should have their phones with them at all times.”

  “That'll make me popular.”

  “I'm not paying you to be popular.”

  Kevin Masters wasn't at all what Lacey had expected. She'd assumed he'd be larger than life and brash. In fact, he was a quietly spoken, polite man in his early fifties.

  After a few pleasantries, the two men got down to business. Masters had brought along his own PA—Wendy—all business, no smiles. Much of the discussions went over Lacey's head, but she made notes as best she could. It wasn't long before she had a long list of information which Raw required from head office. It took her ages to get hold of some of the people she needed. Two of them had been at home. Another, who had to abandon his golf round on the seventh hole, was not a happy bunny.

  They didn't break for meals. Instead, Wiggins brought through a selection of sandwiches and snacks. Although the discussions never became heated (Masters didn't look as though he did heated), Lacey could tell Raw was becoming more and more frustrated. By six in the evening, Masters suggested they call it a day, but reconvene at nine the next morning. Lacey's heart sank. She'd hoped they might conclude their discussions that day. It was frustrating to be in such a beautiful location, and never to set foot outside.

  After Masters and his PA had left, Raw poured himself a Whisky. “Drink?”

  “No thanks,” Lacey said. “That looked like hard work.”

  “It's what I expected from Masters. He's nobody's fool.”

  “Is the deal going to happen?”

  “Anyone's guess, but I'm expecting another long day tomorrow. It may well run into next week.”

  “Right.” Lacey glanced out onto the terrace. She wasn't going to be needing that sun cream.

  “Would you like to take a walk down to the harbour?” Raw asked.

  “Now?”

  “Why not. Unless you'd prefer some time by yourself?”

  “No. A walk would be great.”

  Lacey had been worried he might talk shop, but once they were out of the villa, he never mentioned Masters or the deal.

  “It's so beautiful here,” Lacey said, as they walked along the quayside. “I've never seen so many boats. Some of these must cost a fortune.”

  “Would you like to see mine?”

  “You have a boat here?”

  “Yeah. Over there.” He pointed.

  “That one?” She stared at the huge boat which was the size of a small liner. “It's unbelievable.”

  “Would you like to take a look on board?”

  “Can we?”

  “Why not? Come on.”

  The boat, which was called “Titan', dwarfed all of the other vessels in the harbour. Lacey had stayed in smaller hotels.

  “There you go.” He pointed to the gangplank.

  Lacey began to walk towards the deck where a
man dressed in a white shirt and shorts gave her a strange look. She assumed he must be one of the crew. It was only when she was almost on board that she realised Raw wasn't behind her. She turned to see him standing on the quayside—laughing.

  “What's wrong?” she called back to him.

  “You'd better get off there before they have you arrested.”

  For a moment, she looked confused, but then the realisation hit her. “It's not yours is it?”

  He shook his head—almost in hysterics now.

  “You pig! “ She hurried back down the gangplank. “You pig!” She began to pound his chest with both hands.

  Still laughing, he caught hold of her wrists. “I'm sorry.”

  “I hate you.” She tried not to laugh, but she couldn't help herself.

  “How much money do you think I have?”

  “I thought you were a millionaire.”

  “I am, but that would cost at least a billion. Way out of my league.”

  “Who does it belong to?”

  “I've no idea. Some Russian oligarch probably.”

  “You could have got me arrested.”

  “They wouldn't have had you arrested. Shot maybe, but not arrested.”

  “It isn't funny,” she said, but her laughter betrayed her.

  “I'm sorry. How about you let me buy you dinner to make up for it?”

  Chapter 16

  In a small sea-food restaurant, close to the harbour, they ordered sea bass and a bottle of Sancerre.

  “Another glass?” Raw asked after she'd drained her first.

  “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

  “I might be,” he said with a wicked grin. “What do you think of Cannes?”

  “It's beautiful.”

  “We should come here again,” he said.

  “When you called me at the flat last night, I thought—” She almost let it slip that she'd thought he planned to seduce her.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I thought you'd called to check on Todd.”

  “Don't let's talk about him. Maybe the next time we come, it could be a date?”

  She could feel her resolve crumbling.

  Her phone rang—saved by the bell.

  “Suzy. What's up?” The colour drained from Lacey's face. “How is she now? Where? Okay. I'll get there as soon as I can.”

  “What's wrong?” Raw asked, as soon as she'd ended the call.

  “Mum's had a heart attack.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “Suzy thinks so, but she isn't sure. I have to get back. Where can I book a flight?”

  “Don't be stupid. We'll take the jet.”

  “What about your meeting with Masters?”

  “That can wait. I'll rearrange it. Come on, let's go.”

  The flight home was a blur. Raw called Masters to explain the situation. Lacey rang the hospital who reassured her that her mum was in a stable condition. What did that mean exactly?

  Why had she been so cold and distant with her mum? What if she didn't get to tell her she loved her? Lacey was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she totally forgot her fear of flying.

  “I can take a taxi,” Lacey said when they landed.

  “No need. We'll take my car.”

  She watched the raindrops run down the windscreen as they made their way across the city to the hospital. What a contrast to the sunshine they'd left behind only a few hours before. The rain suited her mood.

  “She'll be okay.” Raw put his hand on hers.

  Lacey nodded. She daren't speak in case she broke down.

  “Drop me here.” She was almost out of the car before he'd pulled up at the hospital's main reception.

  Tom was sitting in the corridor outside the room. His head was buried in his hands.

  “Tom?” Lacey said.

  He looked up. His face was drawn and his eyes red.

  “Is she—?”

  “She's okay. The doctor is with her now. He said I had to wait outside for a few minutes.”

  “Why didn't you call me?”

  “I tried your number, but it said the service had been discontinued.”

  She'd changed her phone several months ago. Why hadn't she let her mum have the new number?

  “I managed to find your flatmate's number. Your mum was making dinner, and the next thing I know, she's on the floor. I thought—” The words caught in his throat, and he began to cry. Lacey took the seat next to him, and put her arm around his shoulder.

  “You can go back in now,” the doctor said when he emerged from the room.

  “Mum.” Lacey was horrified by the drips and monitors, but pleased to see a smile on her mum's face. “Are you okay?”

  “Course I am. Take more than a heart attack to kill me off.”

  “I told you not to eat so much red meat.” Lacey wiped a tear from her eye.

  “Don't you start. I've got enough with Tom giving me earache. Where is the old bugger?”

  Lacey looked around and realised he hadn't followed her into the room.

  “Tom?” She stuck her head out of the door. “Are you coming in?”

  “I thought you might want to see your mum alone.”

  “Don't be daft. Come in.”

  Forty five minutes later, her mum was beginning to flag, so Tom and Lacey left together.

  “Do you need a lift home?” Tom asked.

  Lacey was about to say yes when she spotted Raw sitting in reception. “It's okay—thanks. I've got a lift.”

  “See you tomorrow then.” Tom managed a weak smile.

  “Yeah. See you.”

  Lacey walked over to Raw who was staring at his phone.

  “What are you doing here?” she said.

  “Waiting for you. How's your mum?”

  “She's okay, I think. The doctor says she has to stay here for a few days, and she'll have to change her diet. That won't go down well.”

  “Stubborn like her daughter?”

  “I'm not stubborn.”

  Raw gave her a look.

  “Okay. I suppose I can be sometimes.”

  “I'll run you back to your flat.”

  Lacey frowned.

  “What?”

  “I'm not sure I can handle Suzy and Todd right now. Can you take me to the NewLodge? I'll book in there for the night. I've still got my overnight bag with me.”

  NewLodge was a small budget hotel on the edge of the city.

  “Don't be daft. You can stay at the penthouse.”

  “I can't do that.”

  “See! Stubborn! You're staying at the penthouse. It's not like I don't have plenty of room.”

  Lacey didn't have the energy to argue.

  “You were right about me,” she said when they were half way across town.

  “Right about what?”

  “I am stubborn. I'm selfish as well. And stupid.”

  “What brought all this on?”

  “I've hardly seen Mum recently. I was so angry at her for having another man in her life. What kind of person does that make me?”

  “No one likes to think their father is being replaced,” Raw said.

  “I know, but it's not like Tom ever tried to do that. I'd just convinced myself he didn't really love her—not like Dad did. But today, when I saw him waiting outside her room, I could tell. I could see it in his eyes. He does love her. He really loves her. I've frozen Mum out of my life, and for what? Because I'm a stubborn, selfish, stupid cow. If Mum had died, I'd have never forgiven myself.”

  “She's going to be okay. You'll have plenty of time to make it up to her and Tom.”

  Back at the Commodore, Raw took her bag into one of the smaller bedrooms.

  “Thanks for flying me home. I'm sorry if I've screwed up your deal with Masters.”

  “You haven't. The deal can wait,” he said. “Try to get a good night's sleep. You look as though you need it.”

  “I'll try. Goodnight.”

  She waited until he'd closed the door, and she was
alone in the bedroom. Then she cried.

  Chapter 17

  Lacey woke early the next morning. She'd been tossing and turning for most of the night. When she stepped out of the bedroom, there was no sign of Raw, so she decided to grab a shower before he got up.

  The warm water on her face felt so good. As she showered, Lacey thought about everything that had happened over the previous twenty four hours. It was hard to believe she'd been on the French Riviera. What had Raw said just before Suzy's phone call? That they should visit the villa again, but next time on a date. A tingle ran through her body. How long was it since she'd felt this way about a man? Forever it seemed.

  The opaque glass walls of the shower were steamed up, but Lacey thought she saw something move. She switched off the water.

  “Hello?” she called.

  “Good morning,” Raw said.

  “What the hell are you doing in here?”

  “The door wasn't locked. I came in to take a shower.”

  Had she forgotten to lock it? Her head was all over the place—she might have.

  “Go away.”

  “It's okay. I'll wait here until you're done.”

  “It isn't okay. Go away.”

  “I'll close my eyes—both of them—I won't even peep. Cross my heart.”

  “Get out!” It took all of her willpower not to laugh.

  “Okay. I'm going. Unless you want me to join you in there.”

  “Out!”

  When she was dry, Lacey wrapped a towel around herself, and stepped out of the bathroom.

  “What took you so long in there? Were you having naughty thoughts about me?”

  “Dream on.”

  “It's understandable. It must be frustrating for you to be around me.”

  “No. I barely notice you're here.”

  “Are you wet?” he said.

  “What?” There was outrage in her voice.

  “Your hair.” He grinned. “If it’s wet, there's a hair-dryer in the bottom drawer.”

  I suppose you think you're funny.” Lacey stomped off towards her bedroom. She didn’t want him to see the smile on her face.

  Lacey made toast and scrambled eggs for them both while Raw took a shower.