Web of Deception - By Nina Blake Page 0,25
I meant nothing to him.”
“You made a mistake. That doesn’t mean you’re shallow. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’m like that man.”
Kate squeezed his hand. “I’m attracted to you, Daniel. That’s what makes me so wary. You can buy whatever you want. I’m sure you only travel first class. You live a glamorous lifestyle. Maybe that’s the part of you I’m attracted to.”
“That’s not the case at all,” he said. “I’ve made my mistakes too but I know you’re not just attracted to money, to appearances. Believe me, I can spot a gold-digger a mile away and that’s the one thing you’re not. You don’t have to be quite so cautious. I’ve been up front with you all along.”
“Yes, you have.”
“I’m not going to marry you and carry you off into the sunset. But we can still enjoy ourselves. We can have a good time. You know we’re good together. Why on earth wouldn’t you come to the mountains with me?”
Kate hesitated and Daniel knew she was considering his offer. “I guess it’d be silly to turn you down because I was afraid of enjoying myself too much. That wouldn’t really make sense.”
He stopped and cupped her face in his hands. “It doesn’t have to be the way it was with any other man that came before me. We can set our own standards. Do it our way. Do what works for us. Because, so far, this is working nicely. I know you’ll enjoy our weekend away.”
She smiled. “I will.”
He covered her mouth with his, sliding the fingers of one hand into her hair until he cradled the back of her head in his hand. She was so soft and responsive, her mouth so pliant, that it felt right. Like this was meant to be. Then she pulled back and giggled.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“A drop of rain. A big one.”
Daniel felt something cold and wet on his cheek. Enormous drops of rain were falling around them and onto them.
He grabbed her hand and pointed towards the buildings away from the beach. “I’ll race you.”
Before he had a chance to move, Kate pushed his hand away as she ran towards shelter. Glancing back, she turned to check he was following.
He had to admit it was a pleasure to admire her from behind, especially in those jeans that cupped her shapely bottom. Still, despite that and despite the head start, he wasn’t going to let her win. He thrived on competition too much. He thrived on a lot of things.
The more he found out about her, the more he thought she would be his perfect match.
Just right for what he had in mind.
* * *
As Kate Henry unpacked the last items from her suitcase, she looked around Daniel’s suite at the Lords Hotel. Though recently refurbished, the timber ceiling looked original and remained a feature. Made of cedar, it filled the room with a sense of old-world warmth, a striking contrast to the modern décor.
The bed was decked out in pale linen, scattered with cushions in shades of mocha, in front of a feature wall in a rich chocolate tone. At the far end of the room was a sitting area with two long leather sofas.
Two walls were lined with windows that looked out to the ski slopes onto what would have been a spectacular view except combination of fog and falling snow meant only a wall of white was visible.
Kate had been involved in a couple of hotel refurbishment projects and kept up with trends through the latest architecture and design magazines. The chic contemporary design came as no surprise to her and, in fact, wasn’t dissimilar to the interior of her own bedroom though that was on a much smaller scale.
Yet though she may have designed buildings like this one, she’d never stayed anywhere so luxurious and expensive before.
“Did you say you’ve booked this for the season?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“If that’s the case, I’m surprised you ever leave.”
Daniel shrugged. “I have to work occasionally too, you know.”
She walked over to one of the windows and looked out even though she couldn’t see a thing. Not that she cared.
Kate heard his footsteps behind her and felt Daniel’s breath on her neck as he came nearer. “I’d rather have room service.”
She turned to face him. “Is that what you had in mind for the rest of the afternoon?”
He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Actually, as much as I’d like to do that, I had other plans. We’re meeting my father.