‘I thought I’d find you here.’ Alex’s deep melodious voice feathered along her nerves.
Lisa spun around on the swivel chair, the sheet of paper falling from her hand to the desk. ‘I wasn’t expecting you back until tomorrow.’ She smiled, her blue eyes drinking in the sight of him. He was leaning against the doorframe, his tie pulled loose, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows and the top three buttons of his shirt unfastened. He had discarded his jacket and his black hair was rumpled. He looked rakishly handsome and infinitely sexy…
‘Yes…’ He moved towards her and Lisa got to her feet, wishing she was wearing something more glamorous than an old pair of white Lycra shorts and a blue vest. ‘I missed you, so I cut my visit short.’ Alex’s dark eyes swept over her slender body with a blatant sexuality that made her pulse beat heavily. His hands reached out to close over her shoulders. ‘Dare I hope you missed me?’ And he studied her face with a narrow-eyed intensity that for a moment arrested the smile on Lisa’s lips.
‘Of course I did,’ she freely admitted. If only he knew how much! She wanted to fling her arms around him, but it wasn’t necessary, as his dark head bent and his mouth captured hers. His strong arms encircling her, he kissed her with all the pent up passion of what seemed like years.
‘I needed that,’ Alex husked some minutes later, holding her loosely in his arms. ‘I have had one hell of a trip. I need a shower.’
Aware of him with every nerve in her body, she let her luminous blue eyes roam over his darkly handsome face. He did look tired, and she ached with love for him. She linked her hands behind his head and pressed her face into the curve of his throat, nuzzling him with her mouth.
‘Hmm, you do seem a bit ripe,’ She commented, and with an exaggerated sniff lifted mischievous eyes to his.
‘You will pay for that, woman.’ Alex grinned, and, swinging her up in his arms, he carried her out of the study.
Later, after they had showered, they didn’t bother to dress, but simply slipped on towelling robes. Lisa made a quick meal of scrambled eggs and tossed salad, and they washed it down with a glass of Chablis.
Seated next to Alex on one of the two comfortable sofas in the conservatory, she looked out over the garden, and the trees beyond, and leant her head back against his shoulder, completely relaxed.
‘You do like this house?’ Alex asked idly, his breath stirring her hair.
She chuckled. ‘Yes, Alex, I love it, and I also know you had every intention of buying it anyway because Tina told me you had viewed it the week before we were married.’ Lisa had met Tina for lunch in the village pub on Monday, and had discovered quite a lot about her husband.
‘For a tiny woman, Tina has a big mouth,’ Alex said dryly.
‘She also told me you play golf on a Saturday afternoon with Jake, whenever you are in England, and, surprise, surprise, the golf club you both patronise is two miles down the road.’
‘All right. So you found me out. I am suitably chastised and, to show you the depth of my regret, I will take you shopping tomorrow.’
‘Can’t, I’m afraid.’ Lisa turned her head and looked at him. I have a meeting tomorrow with a Mr Bob Burnett. Apparently he’s a potter, and he wants to expand from selling to a few private galleries into leasing Lawson’s unit and selling direct to the public.’
‘What do you know about the man?’ Alex asked, his hand slipping over her shoulder, his long fingers edging open her robe and then, seemingly idly, stroking the curve of her breast.
Lisa swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. ‘Not a lot really, only the information Mary faxed me today: a copy of his application and a brief outline of his intentions. The fax is on my desk. I’ll go and get it, and you see what you think.’
A gentle restraining arm tugged her back against the sofa. ‘No, I’ll go.’ Alex stood up, his lips brushing the top of her head. ‘You work too hard and I want you completely rested for later.’ His dark eyes sparkled with amusement and a sensual promise that told her he knew exactly how he affected her.
A wide smile curved her generous mouth and she watched as he strolled out of the conservatory, her husband, her lover. With a deep sigh of contentment Lisa snuggled back against the soft cushions. Life could not be better. She was now totally convinced Alex had told her the truth about buying the shares for her protection. He had proved it in the last few weeks. Although he was the major shareholder, he took no active part in Lawson Designer Glass. He was quite happy for her to remain the boss. But he was perfectly prepared to listen and discuss any problems that arose. For Lisa, that was a pleasure which had been missing from her life since the death of her mother. To be able to discuss and debate her work with Alex was an added bonus to the intimate relationship they enjoyed.