In Bed With...Collection

Her heart cringed at her unwitting impugning of his integrity. ‘I’m sorry. This is all so fast…’

‘I promise I’ll look after you. Whatever you need. Whatever you want. All you have to do is tell me, Sunny.’

She took another deep breath to steady her whirling mind. ‘Okay. I’ll stay on…for a while.’

His grin sparkled with triumph this time, putting a host of butterflies in her stomach. She had the wild sense that Bryce Templar had carried her into his cave and was now busily shutting off all exits until he had his way with her. Which clearly meant she needed some space to calm herself down and start thinking rationally about her immediate future with him.

‘I’ll go find the bathroom,’ she said, remembering his suggestion of running a bath…for both of them!

‘You do that,’ he approved heartily, reaching for the telephone again. ‘This won’t take long.’

She slid off the bed, and very conscious of her naked state with his eyes watching her, headed straight for the most likely door to an adjoining bathroom. It proved to be precisely that and she shut it behind her to ensure at least a few moments’ privacy.

As caves went, this was certainly a sumptuous one, Sunny couldn’t help thinking as she noted the Italian marble accents, the positively decadent Roman tub, even a television set to watch while bathing. Life with Bryce Templar could be very seductive with such luxuries. All the same, she was not going to be rushed into any rash decisions. The old saying—marry in haste, repent at leisure—was a good warning.

On the other hand, she might as well enjoy what was here. Having turned on the taps to fill the bath, she sprinkled in some scented grainy salts from a very elegant jar, then added a blue syrupy mixture that instantly frothed into bubbles. Satisfied that she wouldn’t feel quite so naked with a mass of foam to hide behind, Sunny moved around the other facilities.

Beside the toilet was a European bidet—very civilised sophistication—and in a drawer of the vanity table she found a packet of hairpins which she proceeded to use, hoping not to get her hair wet in the bath. Tousled might look beautiful to Bryce but wet was definitely not her best look.

For a few moments she stared at her own face in the mirror. What did Bryce Templar see in her that he hadn’t seen in the many many women who must have traipsed through his life? Why should he suddenly decide she was the one to marry?

She was passably attractive. Her eyes were probably her best feature. Her nose had that irritating tilt that always got sunburnt if she wasn’t careful and her mouth was too wide. The hair he admired was the bane of her life. And she’d hated her legs in her teens, so long and gangly, though they did have more shape to them now she was older and her figure more mature.

Shaking her head, the puzzle of Bryce Templar’s choice still unresolved in her mind, Sunny stepped over to the bath, which was now well filled. She turned off the taps and lowered herself gingerly into its warm foamy depths. A sigh of sheer pleasure relaxed the tension raised by too many uncertainties. Sinful pleasures, she thought, wondering if she would end up rueing her decision to stay.

A knock on the door preceded its being pushed slightly open. ‘May I come in?’ was courteously asked.

‘Yes,’ she answered, her heart jiggling nervously at the thought of sharing this bath with him. But since she’d already shared far more, it was way too late to start feeling shy.

The door swung wide open and Sunny’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of him coming towards her. He had been naked on the bed, but she hadn’t really seen him like this. They’d been too wrapped up in other things. His physique was stunningly male, magnificently proportioned and power-packed with just the right amount of masculine muscle.

He looked…fantastic.

And she could have him as her husband!

But there was more to marriage than the physical, Sunny hastily berated herself. This terribly strong desire he inspired was probably the most sinful pleasure of all.

‘Brought the menus with me for us to choose dinner from,’ he said with a smile, waving the large folders he held in his hand. ‘I’m hoping your appetite will match mine. I think we should order a feast to celebrate our coming together.’

Dinner! She’d forgotten all about it.

‘Yes. That would be good,’ she agreed, trying to get her mind focused on an appetite for food instead of the very distracting appetite for him.

He laid one folder on the floor beside her, fetched a towel for her to dry her hands, then lowered himself into the bath, facing her from the other end. ‘Your luggage should be here within the hour and I’ve let the Sydney people know you won’t be on tomorrow’s flight with them,’ he tossed at her as he opened his menu to peruse its contents.

She wondered what reaction that announcement from Bryce Templar had caused amongst her colleagues. Had Derek been told? Her stomach suddenly clenched. What would Derek think? What would he do?

I don’t care, she told herself on a surge of violent anger for the uncaring way he had treated her. She grabbed the towel, dried her hands, picked up the menu and opened it, determined on ordering a veritable feast.

The die was well and truly cast now.

One way or another, she’d thrown in her lot with Bryce Templar.

Dinner for two!

CHAPTER SIX (#ud535c0fb-8216-5cc4-a273-7d8e9771b73f)

BRYCE saw the belligerent tilt of her chin and her mouth compressing into a line of determination as she reached for the menu. He had no difficulty in reading what those telltale expressions meant. The boats were burnt. There was no way back. Not tonight nor tomorrow. No point in not making the most of her time with him.

He smiled to himself. The net was closed. Not exactly how he’d meant to do it. In fact, he’d lost the plot completely in his somewhat intemperate need to have her, but he was now satisfied he hadn’t hurt his end purpose by it. He may well have improved his chances of convincing her to marry him. Mutual desire was a strong persuader. And he had the rest of the night to capitalise on it.

He moved his legs to lie in tandem with hers, enjoying the long silky slide of her calves and thighs. She was certainly built perfectly for him. The way they fitted together was especially satisfying. He looked forward to much more of it.

‘What are your favourite foods?’ he asked, wanting eye contact with her.

Her lashes slowly lifted. From this distance the colour of her eyes looked darker, more a warm brown. They still lit up her face. She had a wonderful face. Not classically beautiful, like Kristen’s, but Kristen’s was like a smooth mask in comparison. Sunny’s was alive, projecting a wealth of fascinating expression.

‘I love lobster,’ she stated with open fervour. ‘I see they’ve got Maine lobster on the menu, so I’m definitely having that.’

He laughed at the rich satisfaction in her voice. She truly was a delight in every sense. He would enjoy having her as his wife. ‘What else?’ he prompted.

She listed everything she found tempting, displaying a relish for food that whetted his own appetite. He couldn’t remember ever having such fun, discussing a menu. They were discussing the merits of a selection of sweets when the telephone rang, interrupting the pleasurable anticipation of a superb meal.

‘Probably announcing the arrival of your luggage,’ Bryce commented, hauling himself out of the bath to deal with the call since the telephone, although in the bathroom, was out of his reach and he didn’t want Sunny answering it.

She laughed at the foam flaking off him as he moved. ‘You make a great snowstorm.’

‘Maybe we should have the Bombe Alaska for sweets,’ he tossed at her, grinning as he snatched up a towel.

‘No. I really fancy the raspberry soufflе.’

‘It’ll probably sink before it gets here. Think about it.’

Her eyes chided him. ‘Spoilsport.’

He laughed, loving the natural interplay between them. Sunny was much more relaxed with him now, not on guard at all. Which had to bring her closer to what he wanted.

Having wiped his hands, he picked up the receiver, expecting a quick communication. ‘Templar here.’

‘Ah, Mr. Templar. Miss York’s luggage has arrived. And so has a Mr. Derek Marsden, demanding to see Miss York. He claims she is his fiancеe.’

‘No way,’ Bryce returned tersely.

‘He is being very insistent, sir. One could say threatening, if you take my meaning.’

Bryce tensed, a savage aggression instantly gripping him. The last thing he needed was Sunny’s ex-fiancе hanging around, creating scenes, and possibly swaying Sunny off the course she had chosen. He had to protect the ground he’d won.

‘I’ll come down and deal with it. Give me a few minutes.’