being told off? She wasn’t sure. His voice was certainly aimed at putting her in her place.
“I’m quite happy to live without servants.”
“There’s a housekeeper and a gardener at my place in Port Margaret but other than that, I prefer to look after myself.”
As he finished undoing the buttons she turned, holding the dress in place over her breasts. “Well, good for you, Jack. Although, you might need to add one or two security people to your list, unless you’d like to pay out another billion dollars if I’m kidnapped.”
His expression was thoughtful as he studied her. “I look after my own,” he said, as he reached to touch the diamond necklace around her throat. “Did you like my present?”
She felt flustered. His scrutiny was unnerving and she was horribly embarrassed she hadn’t had chance to acknowledge his gift. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“It matches your personality. Fire and ice, which are two of your many fascinations. And at the moment you are all fire and want to pick a fight with me, don’t you?” He smiled and she caught her breath at the wonderment of this magnificent man.
“Yes,” she admitted, moving a few steps away from him.
“You are still mad that you’ve had to marry me instead of some puffed up royal. You thought you would put me in my place, as befits a commoner like me, when you challenged me to have sex with you.”
“I…I didn’t.” Lara floundered, unable to form the words to reply to such an accusation.
“But, my beautiful wife, I’m quite happy to bide my time no matter how long it takes. So, you can stand there and argue with yourself for all I care. I’m going to have a shower and go to bed.”
She managed to close her gaping mouth as he stripped off his clothes down to his underwear and disappeared into one of the bathrooms. Moments later, she heard the sound of the shower.
Well, that’s that, she thought, pulling off the heavy wedding gown and carefully hanging it in the walk-in robe. He didn’t want to argue with her—he didn’t want to make love to her—he wanted to sleep. Fair enough.
She took her time in her bathroom allowing the hot water to pummel away at her tense body as she reflected on her wedding. What a day it had been. She supposed it was what every young woman dreamed of and yet it had passed in a blur as she had made every endeavor to look happy and relaxed. It had certainly been different. She dried her hair and then spent time brushing the long, heavy tresses allowing them to lie around her shoulders in a golden cloud. Slipping into the lacy nightdress, she studied herself critically in the mirror. Yes, she had all the trappings of a bride on her wedding night, except for the pale face and faint shadows under her eyes. She patted her cheeks to add some color.
Nervously, she opened the door to the bedroom and almost laughed aloud. So much for worrying what Jack might think of how she looked. He was already asleep, the covers drawn neatly up to his chin.
She tiptoed closer and peered at him. In repose, his face looked much younger. Dark eyelashes protected her from that blue gaze and his sensual mouth was relaxed, inviting. She turned off the bedside lamp and making her way around the bed, pulled back the covers and climbed in. He didn’t stir. Staring into the darkness, Lara determinedly swallowed the lump forming in her throat and waited for sleep to overcome her.
~ * ~
She was warm and comfortable as she stretched against a man’s body, her cheek resting against a firm chest. Not any man, but her husband. Going very still, she listened to his quiet breathing. He was still asleep but at sometime in the night, he’d wrapped an arm around her and was cradling her. Oh, it was so good. A faint light from the window told her it was nearly dawn and in a few hours, they would be on their way to Australia and her new life.
She hesitated and then pressed closer to him, her hand lightly examining his chest and the sprinkling of dark hair beneath her probing fingers. She followed the hairline down to his waist and then stilled. He was naked. Her heart pounded as she daringly slid her hand over his flat abdomen and then gently encircled his sex.
She jumped as his hand grasped hers. “You’re playing with fire,