'You're more exquisite than I imagined,' he said throatily, grey irises darkening as they rested on the thrusting fullness of her breasts.
As if he had touched them, her nipples hardened and pushed forward against the silky material covering them. He saw it and took a step towards her, stopping abruptly as Fiona waltzed out.
'How do I look?' she asked gaily, twirling in front of him. 'Mature enough for us to set our wedding date?'
'We must have the two loveliest women in Phuket staying in this villa,' he grinned and, ignoring the second part of the question, put his hand to his head and added, 'But how do I handle two gorgeous women at the same time?'
'You don't. Leave Marly to Kevin, and you just handle meV
'From the way Kevin's been eyeing you, I think he'd prefer the opposite.'
Fiona giggled. 'In that case, the question is how do I handle two handsome men?'
The man they had been discussing came round the side of the beach house and dashed across the sand towards the sea. Though not as well built as Alex, he was equally muscular. Red-blond hair flying, and with a boyish grin on his even-featured face, he cavorted in the waves like a schoolboy, calling to everyone to join him.
Marly did, anxious to cool off in more ways than one! The sea was a delight, crystal-clear and buoyant, and she dived and came up and dived again, hoping to wash away the sight of Fiona clinging to Alex and squealing like a frightened child. Recollecting the expertise with which the girl had swum in the hotel pool, Marly could happily have throttled her! Then she stared at Alex whose strong arms were supporting the slender frame, and could have throttled him instead! Why was he pandering to her silly nonsense? He should disengage himself and swim smartly away. Or perhaps he didn't really want to leave her side?
Diving beneath the waves, Marly came up close to Kevin. 'Break up the twosome, would you, before I throw up?'
Kevin flung her a startled glance, then swam across to Fiona, who was still playing her frightened-little-girl act. 'I can't believe a fabulous swimmer like you is frightened of the sea,' he said heartily, before addressing Alex. 'We had a race in the hotel pool and this little beaut almost beat me!'
'So you finally conquered your fear of going out of your depth?' Alex exclaimed, and swung her high in the air.
'I was going to tell you in a minute,' she squealed.
'Now there's no need,' he laughed, and dropped her into the water. Before she could surface, he did a fast crawl over to Marly. 'Let's leave them to it,' he said, and catching her hand, waded with her on to the beach.
Expecting Fiona to hurry after them, she was delighted to see that Kevin had persuaded her to race him to the raft, moored a hundred or so yards out to sea.
'I do believe Kevin's going to be a blessing,' Alex drawled, drawing Marly down on to the sand.
Whether by luck or judgement, he had chosen a spot that was hidden from sight of the swimmers, shaded as it was by a cluster of baby palms. Marly's pulses were racing so fast that she was afraid Alex would see the beat of them on her skin, and she hastily sank down and swung over on to her stomach.
His hand lightly caressed the delicate bones of her spine. 'You're so fragile,' he said huskily, 'I'm afraid of crushing you.'
She was aware of his head lowering, but was taken aback when she felt his tongue lapping the length of her spine. Momentarily she allowed herself to believe this scene was for real: that Alex was sincere, and that there was no Andrea or Fiona in the background. For as long as possible she tried to hold on to the fantasy, but truth would not be denied and, anxious to escape the dangerous touch of his hands, she slid away from them and turned on to her back.
She knew instantly it was the wrong thing to have done, for it brought him into all too clear focus, and she could not drag her gaze from the magnificent sight of him: the trunks that clung to him as if they were a second skin, the rippling bronzed muscles, the droplets of water on the thick lashes fringing eyes that were hungrily absorbing her.
A deep sigh escaped her, which he was quick to hear. 'What's wrong, Marly? That was a sad sound.'
'It was one of relief,' she denied, cursing his perception. 'Relief at being away from my computer.'
'And gladness to be with me?'
'Fishing for compliments?'
'You're the only girl I've had to do it with,' he confessed ruefully. 'You make me so damned uncertain.'
'About what?'
'Our relationship. What you think of me.'
Triumph shot through her. 'Is it important?'
'Let me show you how important.'
He pressed his lips on hers, and her first thought was that they were exactly as she had imagined: cool, firm, yet with a hint of fire. Determined to maintain her shy behaviour, she tried to turn her face aside, but steel fingers prevented her as his kiss deepened. Desperately she willed herself not to respond, but though she could control her lips, keep her arms at her sides and stop her body arching into his, she could not control the pounding of her heart, the leap of her pulses, nor the mounting passion that heated her and brought glittering drops of perspiration to the shadowed valley between her breasts.
'Open your mouth,' he commanded beneath his breath.
For answer she kept it tightly closed, and he cupped either side of her face with his hands. 'When the princess kissed the toad he turned into a handsome prince!' Alex whispered, the thickness of his voice indicative of his arousal. 'The same thing might happen to me if you kiss me back!'
'You're already a handsome prince!' she said, deciding humour was the best way of dissolving his ardour. 'If I do as you ask, the process might be reversed and you could turn into a toad!'
Alex chuckled and released her. 'You enjoy making fun of me, don't you?'
'It's good for you.' She sat up straight. 'It stops you getting too conceited.'
'Fat chance of that with you around. For someone who looks a shy little girl, you talk back in a very adult way!'
'Should I take that as a compliment?'
'Take what as a compliment?' The question came from Fiona, who was looming above them, and then sank down on the sand beside Alex.
'I was telling Marly how pleased I am with the program she's done for the hotel,' he stated with commendable aplomb.
'You and business,' Fiona pouted prettily. 'Don't you ever think of anything else?'
'Not when you're around!'
Marly listened to the banter with irritation, as did Kevin, who had now joined them. Why did Alex continue to play up to the girl if his intention was to escape her clutches?
'You pay me the sweetest compliments,' Fiona beamed, resting her bright blonde head on his shoulder. 'However much of a hard-head you are in business, you're always such a softie with me.'
'Most men would be the same, given the opportunity,' Kevin grinned. 'You should try it some time.'
'The only man I want is Alex—so save your flattery for Marly. Otherwise she'll feel she's a third wheel.'
'I doubt Marly could ever feel that,' Alex interpolated drily. 'She's not exactly a member of the ugly club!' He leaned back on the sand, arms behind his head. 'Where do you folks want to go for dinner? A restaurant, or have it here on the beach?'
'On the beach,' Fiona said excitedly. 'It will be like that advert on TV where the couple sit at a table by the water's edge, and the candlelight rivals the moon.' She glanced at Marly. 'Would you arrange it with Sumalee? I can't speak Thai, and I don't think her English is good enough for her to understand my instructions.'
Glad of the chance of escaping, Marly gracefully rose and went into the beach house. It didn't take her long to explain to Sumalee what was wanted, and after a menu had been agreed she chose not to return to the beach but retired to her room, where she showered, slipped into a cotton robe and lay on the bed, trying not to think of Alex.
What a hope when she could think of nothing else! If today was a forerunner of the rest of the week, she would be lost to reason long before this trip was over. Snap out of it,
she ordered herself. If you can't control your emotions, do as Nan suggested and come clear with him. Say the whole thing was a joke and that you've grown tired of it. Yet as the idea entered her head she dismissed it as a cop-out, a sign of her weakness. And she wasn't weak. She was a liberated woman in charge of her feelings; upon which thought she picked up one of the books she had brought with her and determinedly concentrated on it.
The moon was a silver orb in a velvet dark sky when the four of them sat down to dinner on the veranda. Although their bamboo table wasn't lapped by the sea, it was close enough to the water for them to hear the soft slap of the gentle waves on the sand. Sumalee had prepared a veritable feast: lemon chicken soup, sweet and sour shrimp, fresh-water cod, lamb in coconut and green curry, and a huge bowl of fluffy white rice.
'We'll never get through this lot!' Fiona exclaimed.
But they did, and several desserts in addition.
'I don't know about the rest of you,' Alex murmured as, the table cleared, they returned to the veranda for coffee, 'but I've eaten so much that all I'm fit for is bed.'
'Me too,' Fiona said quickly, moving to his side.
Marly, aware of Alex eyeing her, made a great play of pouring herself some coffee. 'I'll stay put for a while,' she replied, reluctant to go in with him. If she was reading the glint in his eyes correctly, sleep was the furthest thing from his mind, and she was not certain how she would handle things if he came to her room.
Never had she been so physically attracted to a man, nor so tempted to forgo her principles and surrender to desire. Only the knowledge of why she was here—and that their whole relationship was based on a lie—gave her the strength to go on resisting him.
'I'll keep you company,' Kevin grunted, watching Fiona and Alex go inside, with the girl clinging to his arm. 'I'm not tired anyway.'
'I doubt if they are either,' Marly retorted.
'You don't think… Dammit, he wouldn't go to bed with her, would he? I thought you said he wants to be free of her, not encourage her!'
'Who knows what he'll do if he can't have meV Marly replied with brutal honesty. 'She keeps throwing herself at him and he's only human.'
Kevin's face darkened. 'I think I'll go in after all.'
'And do what—stand guard outside her door? Relax and be fatalistic.'
'It's not easy. I've never felt this way before, but there's something about Fiona that… I've tried telling myself it's only physical attraction but I know it's more than that.'
'I'll see if I can think of a way of keeping Alex out of Fiona's life for a couple of days. That should at least give you a chance of making some impression on her.'
Kevin brightened. 'It would be great if you could manage it. I don't wish the guy any harm but a sprained ankle would be perfect!'
Marly laughed. 'I wasn't anticipating anything quite so drastic!'
Even as she spoke a plan formulated in her mind, and as soon as she was alone she saw how it could be accomplished. Born of desperation, for it was clear Alex was determined to remain single, it required a good deal of luck, and would not only stretch her acting ability but be the ultimate test of her will-power.
Yet if it worked she would not merely achieve her aims, but Kevin's as well, for it would drive Fiona straight into his arms, and Alex into her own!
CHAPTER TEN
'There's a yacht club near by,' Alex announced over breakfast on the veranda next morning. 'So if anyone cares for a game of squash or tennis——————————————- '
'I wouldn't mind playing tennis,' Fiona said.
'I'll second that,' Kevin put in promptly.
In pastel floral wrap-around skirt and matching lawn top, the young blonde had the soft, fragrant look of a dew-fresh bloom, and as she gazed adoringly at Alex, Marly's heart lurched. Had they spent the night together? He certainly looked as if he hadn't slept much. His face lacked its usual healthy glow and there were noticeable lines around his eyes. Not that this lessened his sexual attraction—far from it—for it set her imagination alight, causing all kinds of erotic pictures to float into her mind.
'How about you, Alex?' Fiona enquired.
'I think I'll give it a miss. I didn't sleep too well last night.'
'Then I'll stay and keep you company.'
'That will defeat the object. How can I sleep if you're keeping me company?'
'I'll be quiet as a mouse.'
'I've heard that one before!' With a resigned sigh, he pushed back his chair. 'OK, count me in. Are you going to join us, Marly?'
'I didn't bring any tennis gear,' she replied truthfully. Apart from it being a game she preferred to watch rather than play, the plan she had formulated last night meant separating Alex from Fiona. And for that she had to stay behind.
'Fiona has a spare racket,' he said, 'and there's a sports shop at the club where you can get kitted out—my treat.'
'Thank you, but no. I couldn't accept such a present.'
'It won't be from me personally,' he added swiftly. 'It's a gift from the company in appreciation of your hard work.'
'I'm sufficiently well paid for it.'
Alex looked as if he wanted to argue, then a glint came into his eye and he swung round to Fiona. 'Looks as if you and Kevin will have to play a singles match. I'll stay ' and keep Marly company.'
'Don't be silly, darling,' Fiona expostulated. 'I'm sure Marly doesn't want to spoil our game, and there's bound to be someone at the club willing to make a fourth.'
'Fiona's right,' Marly put in sweetly. 'And to be honest, I'd prefer to sunbathe and swim.' She raised her arms and stretched, aware that the gesture provocatively thrust forward her small, pointed breasts. 'It's so deserted here I might even pluck up the courage and go topless.' She studied his reaction from beneath lowered lashes, and wondered if he would fall for the bait.
If he had, he was giving nothing away, and with a lift of his hand he went in to collect his racket and shoes.
Finishing her breakfast, Marly headed for the dock, where Alex's friend moored his cabin cruiser. It was sleek and beautiful, its paint sparkling, its brass gleaming. Quickly she slipped aboard and padded over to the engine. Her parents and brothers were keen sailors, and she had been brought up with a love and knowledge of the sea and boats. Consequently, setting the first part of her plan in motion presented no difficulty, and when she had accomplished it she returned to the beach house.
Fifteen minutes later, in yellow two-piece swimsuit and dark glasses, she emerged to wander along the beach, where she soon spread her towel in the shade of a palm tree. Long silky hair loose about her, and the latest bestseller unopened beside her, she lay on her stomach and unhooked the top of her suit. A faint breeze stirred the air, bringing the salt scent of the ocean to her nostrils, and she breathed in deeply and closed her eyes, only realising as she did so what a strain it was becoming to maintain her charade. Tension drained from her and, as she relaxed, her true self emerged and all pretences dropped away from her so that Alex could have seen her as she really was.
'Marly,' a deep voice whispered softly.
She stirred but did not lift her lids, for if she did, reality would return and Alex would fade away.
'Marly,' the voice said again, and this time her eyes flew open and she turned her head and saw Alex kneeling beside her.
With a gasp she reached her hands behind her to do up her swimsuit, at the same time trying to remain flat on the sand. But her fingers seemed to have turned to thumbs, and she was still struggling with the hooks when firm, cool fingers did the job for her.
Only then did she sit up and swivel round to face him, and saw that he was in swimming-trunks, that his legs were strong and lean, his eyes warm grey, the .smile he gave her meltingly intimate.
'How come you're back so soon?' She marvelled that her voice came out so cool.
'I developed a sudden headache!'
'I thought that was the prerogative of married women!'
'As a reluctant fianc£ I f
eel I qualify!'
Hiding her triumph at his return, Marly toyed idly with her sunglasses. 'Do you think Fiona believed you?'
'Does it matter?'
'One should always consider other people's feelings,' she answered demurely. 'Thai philosophy—— '
'No lectures, please,' he said with mock severity. 'I wanted to be alone with you and I think that's what you wanted too. In fact, you deliberately tried to tempt me back, didn't you?' Slate eyes glinted with humour. 'You appear to have had second thoughts about the bait, though. Clearly your sense of modesty got the better of you.'
She could not stop the blush that stained her cheeks, and avoided his eyes. Normally not a shy girl, she had occasionally gone topless when sunbathing with friends, yet the thought of doing so with Alex made her feel strangely vulnerable.
'Pity,' he said with a shake of his head. 'You have beautiful breasts, and it's a shame to cover them.'
Silently she tipped suntan lotion into her palms and began to rub it on her shoulders and arms.
'Need any help?' he asked, squatting down beside her.
'No, thanks.'
'Frightened one thing will lead to another?'
'Frankly, yes.'
His mouth quirked. 'Then how about a swim to cool us both off?'
'I've an even cooler idea,' she answered, as if the thought had suddenly occurred to her, instead of being part of the plan she had formulated last night. 'How about taking out the boat to one of the islands? That way we can have the whole morning to ourselves, instead of just a couple of hours until the others return.'
'Brilliant! But better still, why don't we take a picnic and make a day of it? We'll leave a note for Fiona and Kevin—he'll be delighted of course—and perhaps by the time we get back she won't be averse to him either.'
Marly shook her head. 'I can't see Fiona giving up on you that easily. She's been obsessive about you for too long.'
'Now you're spoiling my day.' He rose and pulled her to her feet. 'Come on, let's ask Sumalee to prepare a picnic for us.'
Roberta Leigh - Give A Man A Bad Name Page 9
