The Man Ban - Nicola Marsh Page 0,40

a kiss to his lips but didn’t linger. “I ordered coffee, but we’ve got a breakfast booking downstairs.”

Disappointed when she stood and moved away, he sat up and reached for the coffee. “Thanks for this.”

“My pleasure.”

She crossed to the balcony and pulled the blackout drapes open, and only then did he see her fully. Dressed in jeans and a tank top, face perfectly made-up, hair slicked back in a low ponytail, like she was ready for a day of exploring.

Not quite the wake up he’d envisaged after the hedonistic night they’d spent together. How many times had they done it? Three? Four? Sex with Harper had been better than he’d imagined, and she’d matched him, wild and wanton in a way that had him hard just thinking about it.

Yet this composed woman standing before him was nothing like her wild counterpart, and he hoped he hadn’t done something wrong. He never second-guessed himself. Confidence came with age; at least that’s what he believed.

So why had she showered and dressed and made a booking downstairs when he thought they’d share room service this morning, preferably in bed?

“You’re staring at me,” she said, turning to face him, but with the sun at her back he couldn’t get a read on her expression.

“That’s because I’m besotted. I thought you would’ve figured that out after last night.”

“All I figured out from last night is that you’re a sex maniac.” She took a few steps toward him. “And I like it.”

“Good, because we can skip that tour of Huka Falls I mentioned and spend the day in bed.”

He hoped she’d agree but her rigid posture screamed hands-off, as a hint of a frown appeared between her brows.

“You’ve worn me out, so how about we have breakfast, tour the falls, then come back here for an early dinner, and after that . . .” She gestured around the room. “I think I can handle you spending one more night here before we head back to Auckland tomorrow.”

He couldn’t get a read on her and it confused the hell out of him. She wouldn’t have invited him back for tonight if she didn’t want him, yet it seemed like she couldn’t wait to get rid of him now.

“Is something wrong?”

She stiffened imperceptibly before broaching the remaining distance between them to sit on the bed. “No, I’m fine.”

She captured his face between her hands, running the pads of her thumbs over his cheekbones, tracing a line toward his mouth, before pressing her lips to his. She tasted of minty toothpaste as she grazed her lips over his again and again, torturing him, taunting him.

When she eased away, he glimpsed regret mingling with need in her eyes.

“I can’t figure you out.” His voice came out rough, hoarse, as he reined in the impulse to haul her back under the covers and tear her clothes off.

“Nothing to figure out,” she said, standing and moving out of arm’s reach, eyeing the door like she couldn’t wait to flee. “Apart from the fact I’m a starving woman who needs sustenance, so how about I meet you downstairs?”

Before he could protest, she was gone.

31

Harper had made a complete mess of the morning after.

Manny must think she was a nutjob because of it.

Despite having little sleep, she’d set her alarm for five thirty, giving her plenty of time to shower and dress before he woke. Even then, she’d had the fastest shower on record and hoped he wouldn’t knock on the bathroom door and ask why she’d locked it. Taking off her makeup, showering, and reapplying it meant she needed complete privacy, and she couldn’t risk him walking in on her.

Ironic, that in the stark fluorescent lighting of the bathroom illuminating the white patches on her face and body, she felt nothing like the sexy, empowered woman from last night. Instead, in the harsh light, she wanted to shrink back into herself and don her camouflage before facing the guy who had rocked her world.

With a sexual attraction as intense as theirs, it stood to reason they’d be combustible in bed, but it had been so much better than she’d imagined. Manny was a skilled, considerate lover who gave pleasure before taking, who made her laugh before making her scream, who had an intimate knowledge of anatomy and used it to her advantage.

Heat flooded her body at the thought, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck snapped to attention at the memory of his hands and mouth all over her.

“Madam, can