‘You’re very quiet.’
Lexi lifted her head and gave him a rueful smile. ‘I was just about to suggest we leave. It must be after midnight, and I have to catch an early-morning flight to the Gold Coast.’
‘We’ll find Samantha and Alex, and bid them goodnight,’ Georg declared, relinquishing his hold.
Ten minutes later they were in the car, and Lexi sat in silence, listening to the slight swish of tyres traversing a road wet with a sudden summer shower of rain. The air smelt fresh and clean, and the sky was a clear indigo blue, almost black, and even as she looked there was a sprinkling of stars to herald the promise of a clear new day.
Georg brought the Ferrari to a halt outside the entrance to her apartment block and switched off the engine.
‘I’ll ring you as soon as I get back,’ Lexi indicated as she released the seatbelt.
‘Ring me when you arrive,’ he drawled, releasing his own and shifting slightly to face her.
He seemed to loom large, a vaguely threatening force, and she mentally chided herself for possessing too vivid an imagination.
‘I have to pack,’ she said quickly.
‘And you merely want to escape.’
She looked at him carefully, seeing his rough-chiselled features, the stark strength apparent. ‘It’s quite late.’
‘Then kiss me goodnight, and run upstairs to bed.’
She felt her eyes widen, and wondered at the degree of indolent sensuality apparent in his voice.
‘Why so hesitant, Lexi?’ he drawled. ‘Have I suddenly grown horns?’
She shook her head. ‘Of course not,’ she negated slowly.
‘Yet you find it difficult, hmm?’
You can’t begin to know how difficult, she longed to respond, then she gave herself a mental shake. This was crazy. Tentatively she reached up to brush her lips against his cheek, and found he’d moved his head so that instead she encountered his mouth.
For a moment she froze, then she pressed her mouth lightly against his in a fleeting kiss.
‘That isn’t exactly what I had in mind.’
His faint mockery brought a flood of colour to her cheeks, and she opened her mouth to fling a stinging retort at him only to have it possessed by his in a kiss that rocked the very foundation of her being. ‘Possessed’ was the only word adequate to define it, and some devious alchemy had to be responsible for the traitorous way she began to respond. Her breathing became rapid and uneven, and she was aware of the pulse thudding at the base of her throat. Every inch of skin tingled alive, heightening her senses and making her feel achingly aware of him until she wanted more than a mere melding of mouths.
The restriction of clothes—his, hers—seemed an impossible barrier, and her fingers shook as they hovered close to his shirt buttons, then fell away in distracted dismay as she realised how close she was to wanting him totally.
With a murmur of distress Lexi tore her mouth away. Her eyes were impossibly wide and hauntingly luminous and her cheeks tinged with pink as she encountered his dark glittering gaze.
‘If you don’t want me to come upstairs and invade your bed I suggest you get out of the car before I discard my noble instincts,’ Georg taunted with husky amusement.
Lexi needed no second bidding, and she heard his soft chuckle an instant before she closed the door behind her and ran lightly towards the entrance.
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT HAD BEEN quite a day, one way and another, Lexi mused thoughtfully as she entered the luxurious apartment. The sun at its zenith had been hot—at least three degrees higher than Sydney temperatures, and she needed a cool shower and an icy drink.
The Gold Coast was one of her favourite places, its relaxed lifestyle and long hours of sunshine providing a magnet for the many tourists who flocked to the famed coastal strip in search of golden sands and sapphire-blue sea with spume-crested waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. Many of the shopping complexes favoured seven-day trading, and it was all too easy to lose track of time exploring exotic boutiques in any one of several malls.
With a faintly weary gesture Lexi reached a hand to the long thick length of her hair and lifted it away from her nape. The apartment’s air-conditioning cooled the heat from her skin, which, despite liberal use of sunblock during the long hours spent in the sun, showed visible signs of exposure.
The photographic shoot had been successful, and a brief session in the morning should wrap it up, then she would be able to catch the next available flight home.
A strange anticipatory thrill coursed through her veins at the mere thought, and she was forced to admit reluctantly that Georg was the main cause.
His image was never far from her mind, and she had only to close her eyes to instantly recall his strong features, the depth of his eyes and the degree of lazy warmth in his smile.
Was it all merely a pretence in their scheme of make-believe? she wondered as she stripped off her clothes and stepped into the shower cubicle. Selecting shampoo, she began working it into the thick length of her hair.
There were times when she rather wistfully longed for their supposed romance to be real, yet that was akin to chasing an impossible dream. The reality was more…comfortable, she decided. If ‘comfortable’ was a description one could apply to Georg Nicolaos! He possessed the ability to set her emotions into pure turmoil with the least amount of effort.
Lexi sluiced shampoo from her hair, then repeated the process and worked in conditioning lotion.
It was impossible to dispel the fact that he probably regarded her as an attractive addition to his life; if they married she would assume the role of hostess and companion who conveniently fulfilled his sexual needs.
Could such an arrangement work? Would she be able to live with him, accept his physical lovemaking without becoming too emotionally involved?
Damn. The soft curse was lost beneath the sound of the shower as she deliberately cast such evocative thoughts aside and concentrated on completing her ablutions.
Several minutes later she donned a silk robe before plugging in the hairdrier to style her hair.
A time-consuming task, which she had almost completed when the doorbell rang, and a puzzled frown momentarily creased her forehead as she moved through the lounge. She hadn’t ordered room-service, and she certainly wasn’t expecting anyone.
The tall dark frame filling the aperture was incredibly familiar.
Her surprise was evident, and several differing emotions chased fleetingly across her expressive features. ‘Georg! What are you doing here?’
‘Aren’t you going to ask me in?’
His slight smile did strange things to her equilibrium, and she stood aside at once. ‘Of course.’ She pushed a hand through her hair, and gave a faint grimace. Tumbled tresses, no make-up, and attired in only a robe. He couldn’t have caught her at more of a disadvantage if he’d tried. ‘I haven’t long emerged from the shower.’
His eyes were strangely watchful as he reached forward and trailed his fingers down the smoothness of her cheek. ‘You look about sixteen,’ he said quietly, and she wrinkled her nose at him in silent admonition, feeling suddenly gauche at the degree of drawled amusement in his voice, and a little nervous.
‘This is a surprise,’ she declared lightly. ‘Can I get you a drink?’
‘I’ll fix myself something while you get changed.’
Something in his tone ensured that he was the total focus of her attention, and her eyes flew to his with a mixture of concern and outright fear.
Unbidden, her hand rose towards him, then fluttered down to her side. ‘It’s Jonathan, isn’t it?’
‘He collapsed this afternoon,’ Georg revealed gently. ‘At this very moment he’s in surgery. I chartered a private jet from Sydney, and a limousine is waiting outside. All you have to do is slip into some clothes.’
‘David—’
‘Is waiting for us at the hospital.’ He leaned forward and brushed his lips against her temple. ‘Jonathan will be
fine,’ he reassured. ‘He has the best team of vascular surgeons in the country, and they’re confident of success.’
There wasn’t a thing she was capable of saying, and she turned away from him blindly, her movements completely automatic as she walked swiftly into the bedroom.
Retrieving a bag from the wardrobe, she hurriedly tore clothes from their hangers, then she slipped into clean underwear and donned eau de Nil cotton trousers and matching top, slid a brush through her hair and slipped her feet into casual shoes. She could attend to her make-up in the limousine, she decided, gathering up toiletries and her make-up bag.
‘I’ve arranged your check-out,’ Georg informed as she emerged into the lounge. ‘Is there anyone here you should contact before we leave?’
‘The cameraman. He’s staying in a unit at the resort.’
‘Give me his name, and we’ll arrange for a message to reach him.’
Two hours later they arrived at Sydney airport, and it was after eight when they reached the hospital to find a weary, but mildly exuberant David waiting to greet them.
Lexi flew into his embrace at once, and was soundly hugged before being gently pushed to arm’s length.
‘Jonathan’s OK,’ David reassured her before she could voice the query. ‘Surgery was successful, and he’s in intensive care.’
Intensive care sounded vaguely frightening, and she stood still, hugging herself in a defensive gesture as she looked askance from one to the other in silence.
‘Standard procedure,’ Georg assured her quietly. ‘They’ll keep him there for a few days until he stabilises, I imagine.’
A shiver shook her slim frame. Life was so tenuous, so incredibly fragile. The thought of losing Jonathan was more than she could bear. ‘Can I see him?’
‘I’m sure the medical staff would advise against it,’ Georg said gently. ‘He’ll be heavily sedated, and hooked up to various machines.’
She turned towards her brother. ‘David?’
‘Georg is right, sweetheart. There’s nothing we can do.’ He reached out and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. ‘Let Georg take you home. The hospital has my number, and if there’s even the slightest change I’ll call you at once.’
In the car she sat in silence, and it was only when the Ferrari drew to a halt that she withdrew from reflective thought sufficiently to recognise her surroundings.
Indoors, she made for the lift, conscious that Georg walked at her side, and she made no demur when he took her keys and unlocked the apartment.
‘Thank you,’ she said with genuine gratitude. ‘For ensuring that I reached Sydney as quickly as possible.’
‘I’ll fix a snack,’ Georg indicated. ‘You ate nothing on the plane.’
‘I don’t feel hungry.’
‘Something light,’ he insisted as he shrugged off his jacket, and, placing it over a nearby chair, he rolled up each sleeve-cuff and walked into the kitchen. ‘An omelette?’
Lexi slowly followed him, watching as he deftly set the pan to heat, whisked eggs in a bowl, then sliced up bacon, cheese and tomato.
Within minutes she found herself seated at the table, forking delectable pieces of food into her mouth. It was delicious, and she said so, shooting him a slight smile as he made the coffee.
‘You’re more than just a handsome face,’ she accorded lightly.
‘Ah—a compliment,’ he drawled as he poured the aromatic brew into two cups. ‘Usually you are swift to upbraid me for some imagined misdemeanour.’
She spared him a direct look, and was disconcerted by his unwavering gaze. ‘We—strike sparks off each other,’ she ventured in explanation, and heard his husky laugh.
‘Have you ever paused to consider why?’
‘I resent you,’ Lexi responded swiftly. ‘For attempting to rule my life—me.’ Replacing her cutlery on her plate, she pushed it towards the centre of the table. ‘In a minute we’ll be arguing again.’
‘Something at which you seem to excel.’
She looked at him carefully, seeing the strength apparent and an indomitable measure of self-will. ‘I don’t feel inclined to be at cross purposes with you tonight.’
‘In that case, let’s take our coffee into the lounge and watch television together.’
She shrugged slightly. ‘Why not?’
For the next hour they sat in separate chairs, watching the second half of a film, and when it finished Georg got to his feet.
A strange sense of desolation assailed her at the thought that he was about to leave, and she rose from the chair, then stood hesitantly as he took the few steps necessary to bring him within touching distance.
He had only to reach out, and she waited, almost afraid to breathe, alternately craving solace and unwilling to accept its price.
For a long time she just looked at him, watching with detached fascination as he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers across the delicate planes of her cheek, then lowered his head.
His kiss held an infinite degree of tendresse, and she felt the ache of tears. Never had she felt quite so alone or so incredibly forlorn, and she badly needed to hold on to his sheer physical presence.
He held her gaze, and she stood mesmerised, unable to look away from those deep dark depths as if her life depended on it. He tilted her face, framing it between his hands, and his gaze was steady. ‘Do you want me to stay?’
‘I—don’t think I could bear to be alone,’ she whispered, feeling shaky and ill-equipped to deal with him.
Her lips parted, trembling a little as he idly traced their lower curve. Unbidden, her eyes filled with tears, and he swore softly as they spilled over and ran slowly down each cheek. Lexi shook her head slightly, and rubbed the back of her hands across each cheek. ‘It’s just reaction.’
He pressed a forefinger against her mouth, and his eyes darkened as he felt her lips tremble beneath his touch.
‘I’ll heat some milk and brandy,’ he said gently.
She was powerless to prevent the lump that rose in her throat, and she merely nodded in silent acquiescence, watching as he left the room.
Dear heaven, she was weary. If she could just close her eyes for a few minutes…
When Georg re-entered the lounge she was asleep, curled up on the sofa, looking as guileless as a young child.
A slow smile tugged at the edges of his mouth, and he carefully eased her slight body into his arms and carried her through to the bedroom.
She stirred faintly, but didn’t wake as he slipped off her outer clothes and placed her between soft percale sheets.
He stood looking down at her for a very long time, then he moved quietly into the main bathroom and showered before switching off the lights with the exception of one in the hallway.
Lexi slept deeply, caught up in the spell of differing dreams, some more vivid and vaguely disturbing than others, and she was barely aware of a source of enveloping strength as she hovered increasingly closer to wakefulness.
There was something different apparent, but she was unable to pinpoint exactly what, until the powerful heartbeat beneath her cheek gradually penetrated her subconscious, and she froze, becoming aware with shocking clarity that she was not only in bed, but held lightly imprisoned against a male body. What was more, one of her arms curved across the hard musculature of his ribcage, while one of his closed possessively over her hip.
‘You’re awake.’
If she lay perfectly still maybe her immobility would persuade him he was mistaken.
‘Don’t pretend,’ Georg drawled. ‘Your heartbeat has just gone into overdrive.’
As if to prove his point he trailed a hand to the rapidly beating pulse at the base of her throat.
With infinite slowness her lashes swept slowly upwards. Her lips felt impossibly dry, and she drew in the lower curve in an attempt to moisten it. Inside she was as nervous as a kitten, and her eyes clung to his as he tilted her chin.
‘What are you doing here?’ Her voice quivered slightly, and her eyes wide
ned as she viewed him with unblinking solemnity.
The reflection from the lighted hallway provided subdued illumination, and she glimpsed his faint smile.
‘Your apartment, specifically, or your bed?’
Her throat ached, and the words came out in a husky undertone. ‘Don’t—tease.’
His fingers trailed a gentle exploratory path across the delicate hollows at the base of her throat.
His touch was familiar, and so very sure, that the blood drained from her face. He hadn’t—surely they hadn’t—? No, it wasn’t possible. She would have woken, would have known—
‘You think I would attempt to steal from you in sleep what you would not willingly give when you were in total possession of your senses?’
Dear lord, was she so transparent? Heat flooded her cheeks, and her lashes swept down to form a protective veil.
His warm breath fanned her temples. ‘Lexi?’
She heard the softly voiced command, and was held immobile by the wealth of seduction apparent. She looked at him, and she wanted to cry, but no tears would come.
Capturing her head between his hands, he leant forward and covered her lips with his own, softly and with such tenderness that it made her catch her breath. There seemed no urgency to deepen the kiss as he gently traced the outline of her lips, savouring their sweet fullness until her mouth parted of its own volition.
Without conscious thought her hands slid to his shoulders, then crept up to encircle his neck, and his mouth hardened in possession as he sought a devastation that left her weak-willed and malleable.
It seemed an age before he relinquished her mouth, and he trailed his lips down the sensitive cord at her neck to explore the hollows at the base of her throat, then edged lower to the curve of her breast.
The top she wore was easily dispensed with, as was the silk and lace that comprised her bra, and she gasped as he captured one tender burgeoning peak between his teeth and rendered such exquisite pleasure that it was all she could do not to cry out. Her fingers raked through his hair, silently begging him to desist as her whole body began to pulsate with molten fire, and she became mindless, lost in a wealth of sensuality so intense that there was no room for anything else but the need to subside into the swirling vortex of emotion.
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