“The honeymoon suite,” she whispered, her cheeks flushed after intercepting the receptionist’s speculation. A professional, the hotel employee hadn’t commented or asked questions but she’d sure communicated with her eyes.
“It was all they had left. The hotel security is excellent here. I’ve spoken to the manager and they’ll make sure no unauthorized visitors get anywhere near our room.”
Their special dinner turned out to be room service. Ashley arrived at the table wearing a robe, after taking a shower and hand-washing two pieces of underwear she’d fished from her dirty laundry pile. She refused to go commando again.
She sat at the table opposite Josh and waited while the room service attendant served their dinner.
“Just call if you require anything else,” the woman instructed and departed.
“There is only one bed,” Ashley said.
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you worried I’ll accost you while you’re sleeping?”
Josh chuckled. “I hope you will.”
Ashley reached for her glass of sparkling water. “You think I’m joking. Do you realize I haven’t had sex for months? I might appreciate the masculine attention.”
“I enjoy kissing you, although I refuse to do it too often. Your brother wouldn’t approve.”
“What’s Matt got to do with this?”
“He instructed me to help you, to protect you, but he promised he’d break my nose if I put a foot out of line.” Josh grinned at her indignant gasp.
“Matt has no right to tell me who I can and cannot kiss.” Ashley cut a piece of salmon and popped it into her mouth.
“Your brother is protective. I get it. Dillon and I used to watch out for our sister in the same way.”
Ashley cut more of the delicious salmon. “Matt is in Afghanistan. You’re working for me, keeping me safe. Not Matt. The next time I speak to him, I’ll tell him so.”
“It won’t stop him worrying.”
“Probably not, so you should tell him what he wants to hear and keep the rest to yourself.”
“Lie?” Josh asked.
“Yes.” Ashley scowled. “I guess that wouldn’t work either.”
“No.”
“All right, but you tell him I disapprove of his tactics and will have words with him the minute he sets foot on New Zealand soil.”
“That should make him shake in his shoes,” Josh said.
Ashley sniffed. “Now you’re laughing at me. I’m not useless, you know.”
“I’ll make sure Frog is aware of your position when I speak to him again,” Josh promised. “Are you going to let me shop for you?”
“You’ll promise to buyexactlywhat I ask for?”
“Of course,” Josh said. “I’m your fiancé. I should have intimate knowledge of your underwear.”
“Huh.”
“I’ll let you see mine.”
“I’ve already seen yours,” she blurted.
