‘I don’t want a full-time relationship and I’m not into one-night stands.’ A bit late to remember that, Eve. ‘And even if I was in the market, men who share my aims and ambitions are hard to find.’
‘There is nothing stopping you looking for one of them while you have sex with me. But, believe me, one night with you would not be nearly enough for any man, cara. Actually,’ he mused, smiling to himself at the blush that had spread to all parts of her body, ‘I think you’ll find you can go to bed with a man who shares your aims and ambitions and wake up with a man who is not even faintly interested in your mind… Most men will say anything to get you into bed.’
‘But you’re different, I suppose?’
‘As a matter of fact I am. I am exactly the sort of man you need.’
‘Is that meant to be a turn-on?’ Eve had no idea if this arrogant pronouncement was intended to arouse her, but it did.
‘Think about it. I can give you great sex—and it was great—with no strings, no emotional upheaval, just satisfying sex. You may have no time in your calendar for romance, but I think a clever girl like you could fit in great sex.’
‘That sounds…’
‘Perfect?’
‘Immoral!’
His husky laughter rang out. ‘Stay with me long enough, angel, and I will corrupt you; you do have a body made for sin.’
Dropping the quilt, she rose from the bed, swept her clothes up into a bundle and marched into the bathroom.
As the door closed on her beautifully rounded little bottom he gave a loud groan. There were in his experience few certainties in life, but he found himself faced with one total certainty: he had to get Eve back in his bed or die trying.
* * *
Eve always arrived at the office first. She enjoyed those few minutes alone with no interruptions to plan out her day and get her thoughts together. Today she had arrived when her assistant was already at her desk with sympathy, a herbal tea she said always worked for jet lag and a wistful expression she always wore when she talked about weddings.
Eve accepted the sachet of tea and told Shelley she hadn’t taken any photos.
‘None?’ The girl couldn’t hide her disappointment. ‘I suppose you were too stressed about today to enjoy yourself and let your hair down.’
Eve lifted a hand to her head just to satisfy herself it was neatly subdued. Unlike her imagination. Just glorious; I want to wrap myself in your hair… The flashback, the throaty, sinfully sexy voice was so real she could almost feel his warm breath on her neck.
Swallowing, she lowered her eyes, willing the flush to stay below neck level as her fingers tightened hard enough around the herbal sachet to make the contents spill out.
‘I’ll just…’ She took a step towards her office then stopped, a frown pleating her smooth brow as she turned back. ‘Today?’
Her assistant blinked and brought up a chart on her tablet. ‘There hasn’t been another delay, has there? They are still letting you know this morning…?’
Eve struggled to conceal her dismay behind a cheerful smile that made her face ache. She had a point to make or at least a reputation to preserve—a reputation for being calm and unflappable in a crisis.