when the doctor comes? I didn’t expect to need one.”
“I’ll fetch one.”
Kat watched as he walked away. After he’d disappeared, she closed the door and leaned her head on it. That damn file made her all of a shake.
Shortly after she’d showered, the doctor arrived, and Rafael brought him to her room. He gave her an examination, but didn’t think there was anything to worry about. When he left, she went to the lounge. Rafael ran his eye over the robe as she approached.
“Don’t dare say anything,” she warned. “I didn’t think it worth getting dressed again. It will have to do.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“Mm. A brandy please.”
He offered up a bottle of Martell in one hand and a bottle of Soberano in the other. She nodded to the Martell. He said. “The robe doesn’t seem the best of fits does it?”
“You’re not wrong.”
“It’s one of mine. Momia must have taken both of hers. Either that, or Aliaga has one in the wash.”
Kat already knew it was his, because when she squeezed it to her she could smell him on it.
Rafael poured a Martell. “Mixer?”
She shook her head.
He poured himself a stiff measure of the same and added several ice cubes and a slice of lemon.
“That’s an unusual combination,” she said. “I thought you were supposed to warm a brandy glass in your hands to release the bouquet.”
“Maybe I’m an unusual person.”
“Tell me more.”
“Ah! That comes with time. It doesn’t do to let one’s secrets out all at once.”
He carried the drink for her and they arranged themselves on an enormous sheepskin rug, which lay in front of the fire. Kat fingered the luxurious fleece. “This is delicious, like being swathed in a huge teddy-bear.”
Rafael grinned as he raised his drink to her. “Salud!” The glow from the fire made his face ruddy. He said, “So what did the doctor say?”
“The usual stuff. He gave me a once-over, asked a few questions, but he thinks I’ll be all right. If I feel ill I have to ring, otherwise he said to call at the surgery sometime to see how I’m going on. But I don’t feel bad.”
He tipped the glass to his lips, took a drink then placed it down. “I would say the problem is how you define, bad.”
She glanced quickly. Rafael was using his damn eyes. They were on her. Kat became guarded. “And what definition would you use?”
“Well, I suppose some people would say that being bad is good.”
“But the doctor thinks that being bad is bad?”
“And you, do you think that, Kat?”
She put the glass safe out of the way and gave a laugh. “I don’t really want to think anything. Thinking can be prejudicial.”
“Well I certainly don’t want to say the wrong thing, especially to a beautiful lady. Which is what I’m in the habit of doing just lately.”
“Beautiful? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Very beautiful.” He planted a chaste kiss on her forehead.
She jumped as a log settled and the fire spat. Absurd as it was, her stupid heart wouldn’t stop skipping.
“I must say I think quite a lot about this sort of thing though.” Rafael’s voice became gruff. “I think it’s quite agreeable, barring interruptions from the fire.”
Kat tried to smile, but no smile would come, as if her sentiments were too battered to function. This whole Rafael thing made a mess her senses. She wanted him, didn’t want him. Desired him, hated him. What the hell was the matter with her? Why couldn’t she be like a normal woman? Quite deliberately she pushed him down, straddled him, and holding his face between her hands, plunged her tongue into his mouth.
When she at last allowed him air, Rafael lifted his head. “Well…” His grin became mischievous. “There seems something in my favour, though heaven knows what.”
His body felt warm and comforting against hers. All she wanted was Señor Rafael Saval. She needed him quite badly.
His hands were touching hers.
The log finally collapsed and a shower of sparks shot up the chimney. For a moment they were both startled then laughing at each other’s expression.
He said, “I must remember to use a portable gas heater next time, there are less unexpected happenings with them.”
He was inside her robe, touching bare flesh. A ripple of pleasure undulated through her as he traced small circles on her belly. The sensation tugged at the internal strings that ran to her groin. He moved his hand until he cupped her breast then gently touched a nipple.
The strings to her groin