Carole Mortimer - At The Ruthless Billionaire's Command

Sleeping with the enemy...

Gregorio de la Cruz doesn’t care if innocent Lia Fairbanks holds him responsible for ruining her life. But he can’t get the fiery redhead out of his mind. He won’t rest until he has Lia just where he wants her—ready and willing in his bed!

Lia is adamant that she won’t give in to Gregorio’s outrageous demands, no matter how wildly her body responds to his slightest touch. She knows she can’t trust him...but Gregorio is sinfully persuasive, and soon Lia finds she can’t resist the sensual onslaught of this billionaire’s seduction!

Lia recognised the flame in his eyes for exactly what it was. Desire. Hot, burning desire. For her. A desire he had demonstrated four months ago and which he obviously still felt.

She took a step back—only to have Gregorio take a step forward, maintaining their close proximity.

She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. ‘I think you should go now.’

‘No.’ He was standing so close his breath was a light caress across the soft tendrils of hair at her temples.

‘You can’t just say no.’

‘Oh, but I can. I have ,’ he added with satisfaction.

Lia blinked up at him, her heart thumping wildly now, her palms feeling damp. ‘This is insane.’

She was insane. Because a part of her—certain parts of her—was responding to the flickering flames in those coal-black eyes. Her skin felt incredibly sensitised. Her nipples were tingling and between her thighs she was becoming slick with arousal.

‘Is it?’ Gregorio raised a hand and tucked a loose curl behind her ear before running his fingertips lightly down the heat of her cheek.

‘Yes…’ she breathed, even as she felt herself drawn to lean into that caress.

CAROLE MORTIMERwas born and lives in the UK. She is married to Peter and they have six sons. She has written almost 200 books since she started writing for Mills & Boon in 1978. She writes for the Modern and Historical lines. Carole is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, and in 2012 she was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding contribution to literature’.

Books by Carole Mortimer

Mills & Boon Modern Romance

The Twin Tycoons

The Redemption of Darius Sterne

The Taming of Xander Sterne

The Devilish D’Angelos

A Bargain with the Enemy

A Prize Beyond Jewels

A D’Angelo Like No Other

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

Dangerous Dukes

Zachary Black: Duke of Debauchery

Darian Hunter: Duke of Desire

Griffin Stone: Duke of Decadence

Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger

A Season of Secrets

Not Just a Seduction

Not Just a Governess

Not Just a Wallflower

Visit the Author Profile page

at millsandboon.co.ukfor more titles.

At the Ruthless Billionaire’s Command

Carole Mortimer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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With many thanks to all at Harlequin Mills & Boon

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Sleeping with the enemy... Gregorio de la Cruz doesn’t care if innocent Lia Fairbanks holds him responsible for ruining her life. But he can’t get the fiery redhead out of his mind. He won’t rest until he has Lia just where he wants her—ready and willing in his bed! Lia is adamant that she won’t give in to Gregorio’s outrageous demands, no matter how wildly her body responds to his slightest touch. She knows she can’t trust him...but Gregorio is sinfully persuasive, and soon Lia finds she can’t resist the sensual onslaught of this billionaire’s seduction!

Introduction Lia recognised the flame in his eyes for exactly what it was. Desire. Hot, burning desire. For her. A desire he had demonstrated four months ago and which he obviously still felt. She took a step back—only to have Gregorio take a step forward, maintaining their close proximity. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. ‘I think you should go now.’ ‘No.’ He was standing so close his breath was a light caress across the soft tendrils of hair at her temples. ‘You can’t just say no.’ ‘Oh, but I can. I have ,’ he added with satisfaction. Lia blinked up at him, her heart thumping wildly now, her palms feeling damp. ‘This is insane.’ She was insane. Because a part of her—certain parts of her—was responding to the flickering flames in those coal-black eyes. Her skin felt incredibly sensitised. Her nipples were tingling and between her thighs she was becoming slick with arousal. ‘Is it?’ Gregorio raised a hand and tucked a loose curl behind her ear before running his fingertips lightly down the heat of her cheek. ‘Yes…’ she breathed, even as she felt herself drawn to lean into that caress.

About the Author CAROLE MORTIMER was born and lives in the UK. She is married to Peter and they have six sons. She has written almost 200 books since she started writing for Mills & Boon in 1978. She writes for the Modern and Historical lines. Carole is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, and in 2012 she was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding contribution to literature’. Books by Carole Mortimer Mills & Boon Modern Romance The Twin Tycoons The Redemption of Darius Sterne The Taming of Xander Sterne The Devilish D’Angelos A Bargain with the Enemy A Prize Beyond Jewels A D’Angelo Like No Other Mills & Boon Historical Romance Dangerous Dukes Zachary Black: Duke of Debauchery Darian Hunter: Duke of Desire Griffin Stone: Duke of Decadence Christian Seaton: Duke of Danger A Season of Secrets Not Just a Seduction Not Just a Governess Not Just a Wallflower Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

Title Page At the Ruthless Billionaire’s Command Carole Mortimer www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication With many thanks to all at Harlequin Mills & Boon

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

PROLOGUE

‘WHAT’S HE DOING HERE?’ Lia couldn’t take her eyes off the man standing back slightly on the other side of the open grave where her father’s coffin would soon be laid to rest.

‘Who—? Oh, God, no...’

Lia ignored her friend’s gasp of dismay as her feet seemed to move of their own volition, taking her towards the dark and dangerous man whose image had consumed her days and haunted her nightmares for the past two weeks.

‘Lia—no!’

She was barely aware of shaking off Cathy’s attempt to restrain her, her attention focused on only one thing. One man.

Gregorio de la Cruz.

Eldest of the three de la Cruz brothers, he was tall, at a couple of inches over six feet. His slightly overlong dark hair was obviously professionally styled. His complexion was olive-toned. And his face was as harshly handsome as that of a conquistador.