‘Don’t think about tomorrow,’ he told her, as much to her as to himself. ‘Or next week or the week after that.’ He lifted her, carried her to the nearest bed and laid her down. ‘Just think about tonight.’ He slipped off her shoes, set them on the floor. ‘Us. Now.’
‘Great idea.’ She smiled, her hands sliding beneath the pillow as she blinked up at him, looking deliciously naked and drowsy.
‘Wait right there,’ he told her.
‘Not going anywhere,’ he heard her murmur as he strode to the bar fridge.
In less than a minute he’d uncorked his bottle of vintage champagne, poured two glasses. He toed off his shoes, picked up their drinks, anticipation licking along his veins. ‘Don’t fall asleep on me...’
Too late. He trailed off at her side of the bed. Out cold. Soft snores she’d never willingly make—or acknowledge—if she were awake, he thought, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. She needed the rest. As he watched her face relax and the tensions of the past couple of days fade his disappointment that the evening wasn’t going to end the way he wanted it melted away, overtaken by a tenderness he’d never experienced. He pulled the sheet over her utterly tranquil body then walked to the window and watched Melbourne’s traffic below.
New and unfamiliar sensations were creeping under his guard almost without his knowledge—and definitely without his permission. He never let anyone close. What was it about Olivia? She wasn’t like other liaisons he’d had. She was genuine, caring, not all about a good time. She put others before herself. Her brand of sexy was natural and almost naïve, no guile, no pretence.
Moving away from the view, he tossed back the contents of his glass, then stripped down to underwear and positioned himself as far as possible on the other side of the bed. Wasn’t working. He could hear her breathing. Her musky feminine scent teased him. He pounded the pillows into submission and switched the TV on to mute.
Shopping TV. The last damn thing he needed.
* * *
‘Come on, skipper. Time to wake up. Olivia.’
She heard her name, felt a hand on her shoulder as she stirred into consciousness. Jett. She groaned, covering her eyes from the glare with an arm. What was that light? ‘What’s the time?’
‘Eleven o’clock.’
‘That’s a bloody lie.’
‘I wish it was,’ she heard him say. ‘You’ve slept over twelve hours.’
‘It’s a relief to hear that,’ she muttered. ‘I thought for a moment we’d made mad passionate love and I’d forgotten.’
‘If we’d made mad passionate love you wouldn’t have forgotten.’
‘No.’ Holding the sheet in front of her, she pushed up and stared into those gold-flecked eyes and wanted to scream her frustration. ‘I’ve never fallen asleep with anyone before and I’ve done it twice with you.’
His lips twisted. ‘Great for a guy’s self-esteem.’
‘If you want to know, you make me feel safe. Last night was the first time I’ve felt truly relaxed since the break-in. No bad dreams, nothing but calm. So thank you.’ And she was refreshed and ready to get on with the day...or anything else.
‘I’m glad,’ he said, kissing her brow. ‘But the flight leaves in ninety minutes. I tried to delay it but the aircraft’s schedule is chockers.’ He gestured to a breakfast tray on the table by his laptop where he’d obviously been working. ‘You’ve got time for a quick shower and there’s something to eat.’
Then she noticed he was dressed for business. ‘What’s happening?’
‘Seems my adventure on the high seas has attracted continuing interest in the media. I’ve been invited to appear on the Taste Buds and Travel show—a traveller’s guide to eating around the world.’
‘I know what it is,’ she said, struggling not to be disappointed because she knew immediately he wasn’t returning to Hobart with her.
‘I told them I’ll do it for double what they’re offering me.’ He grinned like a kid at Christmas. ‘Timing, hey?’
Yeah, she thought. Bad timing. But why quibble about money? Didn’t he have enough already? Frowning, she reached for her bag beside the bed and began pulling out clothes. She’d never thought him money-motivated. ‘It’s a great publicity opportunity.’ Not that he needed it. Hadn’t he been avoiding it?
‘I’ve arranged to go in and discuss it later this afternoon, then I’ll stay at the apartment for the night.’
‘Sounds exciting.’ She walked towards the bathroom, annoyed with him. Annoyed with herself for being annoyed with him. ‘Don’t forget to let me know how it goes.’