The uneasiness came over her again. There was something not quite right about all this.
* * *
The following morning Alex Morgan was looking out across Barcelona from the balcony of the holiday house Ari had arranged for them.
She had thought of everything. The house was a classic Spanish villa, impeccably restored and spectacularly positioned. From the dusty white finish of the walls to the ochre tiles, black wrought iron railings and balustrades to the shimmering blue glass of the kidney-shaped pool on the lower level, the place was the quintessential British escape; a home away from home, bathed in sunshine. It belonged to Ari's closest friends, a couple, who were back in England while their children were in school. Apparently Ari travelled with the wife during their university days, and Spain, particularly Barcelona, had become a favourite.
Dressed only in boxer shorts, allowing the sun the opportunity to restore his battered body, Morgan sat quietly enjoying the moment, drinking black coffee and crunching into some toast that he'd managed to rustle together. Ari hadn't appeared yet, but he was sure he could hear her moving about somewhere.
"Hello, Mister."
Morgan felt her soft hand fall upon his shoulder. Ari was wrapped in a loose-fitting beach dress that still managed to show off her curves. She noticed him admiring her and leaned across him, enticingly close, allowing the fabric of her dress to caress his face and arm, before she playfully snatched the last piece of toast from his plate.
"Hey," Morgan protested. "That's my breakfast."
"Whatever," Ari replied, ignoring his protest. "This is nice."
"Well, I'm glad you like it." He looked up at her, smiling. How incredible was this girl.
"Thanks," she said between chews. She sat down opposite Morgan and gazed at him approvingly. Yep, even better in daylight, she thought. "So, it was a bit of an early night for you last night, wasn't it?"
Morgan shifted awkwardly in his seat to face her directly. His ribs still ached like hell beneath the bandages that cocooned the lower half of his torso; it would be some time before they were completely healed. On top of that, the bruising and panel damage he'd received when the building collapsed on top him added to his general state of disrepair.
Looking at her sitting just a few feet from him, this fabulous creature with the mesmerising blue eyes, so full of life and vitality, Morgan became suddenly conscious of his smashed body. He wanted her and he was sure she wanted him, too. But was he up to it?
"Honestly," he began, "I can't remember much oflast night. I remember you speaking Spanish to the cab driver. I remember arriving here from the airport around dinnertime and struggling upstairs with our bags. We had food delivered - some local food, I think. We had a couple of drinks, I remember that. Next thing I know, I'm stretched out on that sofa, dressed in nothing but these and my clothes are all over the floor."
Ari laughed as Morgan tried to work out whether he had forgotten something important.
"Don't worry, cowboy. That's pretty much it! The doctor warned you to take the first couple of days easy. Don't forget, apart from being black and blue, you've also suffered a pretty serious concussion. It only took two glasses of wine with dinner and you almost toppled from your chair," she laughed again as Morgan looked crestfallen. "There was no way I was going to have a chance of dragging you upstairs. So, I just got you comfortable on the couch and left you there. How are you feeling now?"
"Honestly, like a bloody invalid," he replied sheepishly. "I need to get myself moving. I can't sit around here all day doing nothing. I'm likely to pass out again."
"Well, it's better that you do take it easy, Mister. Just for a little longer. You're no good to me in this state. I'm going to park you by the pool for the day while I go into town and get some supplies. You need to rest - I'm going to see to it that you do."
"But," Morgan began. "Pool, Morgan. No 'buts'!"
CHAPTER 36
Barcelona, Spain
Later, back out on the balcony, Morgan and Ari had finished dinner and were luxuriating in the peace and beauty of the distant skyline.
The golden lights of Barcelona reached out and dusted them in soft gilt. Ari had returned from a day of reacquainting herself with the town. She was radiant, Morgan thought, lightly sun-kissed and full of stories of her sightseeing and adventures in the markets. Calm, composed and contented. Morgan felt the same. He'd lost hours lazing by the pool, swimming, sleeping and reading. It had done him the world of good.
Ari was wearing a long silk dress with a colourful animal print design. A single strap snaked around her neck from her breasts and her tanned back was bare, almost to the cleft of her buttocks. The material hugged her body tightly to the hips, before falling to her feet, flowing and rippling as she swayed against the balustrade. She was looking out across the sparkling diamonds of the city with a champagne flute in hand, a gentle breeze tugging at her hair, blowing flaxen wisps across her cheek and lips.