“It’s positively lovely.” The woman’s violet-colored eyes sparkled. “The people here are so friendly, and there’s an economy to everything and everybody that’s just so pleasing.”
“I agree. I’m going to miss flying here.”
“Where do you live?”
“Atlanta.”
“What a coincidence, so do I. What part?”
“Downtown. How about you?”
“South of the airport,” the woman said. “But I’m moving in a couple of months.”
“Moving where?”
Lillian shrugged. “I’m not really sure yet. Wherever life takes me.”
Zoe liked the woman’s adventurous spirit. “Are you visiting other cities in Australia?”
Lillian nodded. “Melbourne and Cairns.”
“I love Melbourne, and of course, you’ll have to see the Great Barrier Reef.”
“I can’t wait.” The woman glanced up as a broad-shouldered man walked by. A mischievous smile lit her face as she leaned in. “The country is beautiful, but I must say, so are the countrymen.”
Zoe’s mouth went dry. “Um…yes…I suppose.”
Lillian leaned in. “What a lovely necklace.”
“Thank you,” Zoe said, toying with the beaded silver mesh that she’d braided herself. She was always shy of telling people that she made jewelry.
Lillian pushed to her feet. “Well, I’ve intruded on your quiet time long enough. It was nice to run into you.”
“Same here,” Zoe said. “When are you flying back?”
“Thursday, on the early flight.”
“Me, too. Perhaps we’ll see each other again.”
“I’d like that,” Lillian said, dusting grass off her jeans. “By the way, did you decide whether you’re going to hook up with your old friend, the one who wrote the letter?”
Did she even want the opportunity to become re-acquainted with the sexually fearless woman she’d been when she’d written that letter? Zoe gave Lillian a wistful smile. “I’m starting to think that some things are better left alone.”
A small furrow appeared between Lillian’s eyebrows. “I’m sorry to hear that. But I’m sure you’ll do what’s best. Enjoy your vacation, Zoe. You have the rest of your life to be married.”
Zoe lifted her hand in a wave as the attractive woman walked away, then frowned in puzzlement. What a strange thing to say….
She looked down at the binder and sighed. She had lost interest in working on the seating chart. She stowed it in her bag, then continued her stroll through the gardens. But even the view from Lady Macquarie’s Chair, a seat for a former governor’s wife, carved into the rock on the southernmost tip of the garden and overlooking the harbor, failed to take her mind off the conflict brewing inside her. If anything, staring out over the blue water made her feel even more restless.
Her body hummed with unspent energy. She was flushed and could tell her internal temperature had risen. She felt nervous and unsteady, as if the wind might pick her up and blow her across the harbor…to Colin? Even at this distance, she could feel the pull of him on her body. Was he sitting in a business meeting, distracted by the thought of her, wondering if she would take him up on his invitation?
She put her cool hand on the back of her heated neck and closed her eyes. Their sexual chemistry was undeniable, and admittedly, so was her curiosity. This might be her last chance to have her fantasies fulfilled before settling into the rest of her life. But deep down, she was afraid. Afraid that Colin Cannon would awaken a hunger within her that would need constant feeding. The man had already commandeered her peace of mind.
On the other hand, the black velvet ring box in Colin’s jacket pocket implied he was on the verge of settling down himself. Maybe this was also a chance for him to explore a few fantasies before he took his vows.
Nice try, Zoe…trying to rationalize a fling as a good deed.
She looked up into the afternoon sun that was already starting its slow descent. In a few hours it would be dusk, then darkness would settle. Time for bed.
Zoe fingered her engagement ring, pondering her intoxicating dilemma.
* * *
“MR. CANNON?”
Colin turned his head and realized that everyone in the boardroom was staring at him. “I’m sorry, mate, say again?”
Benjamin Rook stood and pulled at the waist of his pants. “Why don’t we finish this up tomorrow, everyone?”
Colin sighed and nodded, supremely irritated with himself. While the meeting attendees gathered their notes and filed out, he shoved his notebook that contained little more than doodles back into his briefcase and snapped it shut.
Benjamin walked up. “You okay?”
Colin pulled his hand down his face. “Yeah, sorry. My concentration is off the mark.”
“Something happen in Atlanta?”
“No, it was a good meeting. The property there looks very promising. The city is working on a beltline transportation project that will make it an even more desirable location in a few years’ time. And now that the open-skies agreement has lifted restrictions on airlines traveling between here and the States, it makes sense for us to partner in this expansion.”
Benjamin nodded. “I’m giving it every consideration. So, is something else bothering you? Is it Lauren?” He grinned. “I hear that my sister is pressuring you for a ring. High time that the two of you settled down, I say.”
Colin pressed his lips together, wondering what his mate and business partner would think of him if he knew a slip of an American woman had him preoccupied. “Just having a harder time than usual adjusting to the time change.”
His friend smiled as he shrugged into his jacket. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep tonight.”
Colin nodded, lifting his hand, but when the door closed, he brought his hand down on the table with a thud. What a wanker he was being. Zoe Smythe had made it clear that what had happened on the plane was a one-time encounter. So why did he feel as if he would explode if he couldn’t have her again? Over the years, many women had come and gone from his bed. Lauren Rook had been keeping him cozy for over a year and he’d grown very fond of her.
But there was something about this Zoe that spoke to him on such a base level, it was as if all the social sophistication he’d honed during his lifetime meant nothing. His reaction to her was purely instinctual…primitive, even. All he could think about was doing delicious things to her lithe body, to probe the depths of her pleasure. He’d noticed the way she’d reacted to having his tie binding her wrists. Was she up to something more extreme? Just thinking about tying her to his bed made his cock swell.
Then Colin scoffed. He’d most likely scared her off with his Neanderthal tactics. In fact, he’d be damn lucky if she didn’t report him to his own hotel management. If so, he deserved it. The woman was getting married in a few weeks. If he had any integrity, he’d leave her the hell alone.
With a glance at his watch, he picked up his jacket and briefcase and left the boardroom of his office building. It was only a short drive to the hotel, but his temper was equally short as he maneuvered through rush hour. When he arrived at the entrance, he tossed the keys to the valet and strode inside, stopping at the front desk.
“G’day, Mr. Cannon,” the clerk said crisply. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“G’day,” he said absently, loosening his tie. “I’m leaving for Canberra. Could you send a bellman to my room, please?”
“Yes, sir.”
Colin turned toward the elevator. He’d have to get Benjamin to reschedule tomorrow’s meeting. For now, the best thing to do was to get out of Sydney until one Miss Zoe Smythe was on her way back to Atlanta.
Feeling better having made the decision, he rode up to his penthouse room, left a message for Ben and opened the curtains to enjoy the panoramic view while he packed. He poured himself a vodka on the rocks from the wet bar and with the touch of a stereo remote control, coaxed the acoustic, eclectic music of The John Butler Trio from the ceiling speakers.
He pulled durable clothes from the walk-in robe and folded them hastily, stuffing them into two large leather duffels in between sips of the vodka. He hadn’t spent enough time at the ranch lately anyway. His mother, at least, would be happy with the unexpected visit which would bring him close to his family home.
At the knock on the door, he called, “Coming.” He tossed back the last of the vodka, zipped the duffels and walked over to the door.
“They’re on the bed,” he said as he swung it open, then stopped.
Zoe Smythe stood on the other side.
7
BEHIND HER BACK, ZOE THUMBED her bare left ring finger. Then she dropped her hands and lifted her chin, a movement that belied her stuttering heartbeat. She hoped she looked more confident than she felt.
Colin towered over her, dressed in black slacks and a crisp white shirt that set off his sun-bronzed skin. A wine-colored tie complemented his bottle-green eyes that were wide with surprise. But his expression quickly turned to appreciation as he raked his gaze over her. She hadn’t been sure what to wear for a tryst, but from his reaction, she assumed the simple red wrap dress would suffice—at least until he removed it.