"Oh Rodney."
He took her mouth and she simply melted. His hands moved over her back and then settled at her neck where he used his thumbs to hitch her face up so he could take more of her mouth. She was addictive and he was spinning out fast. He had barely got through the week without thinking of her. At nights, it was the worst, the damn bed seemed too big and empty.
He was like a schoolboy eagerly waiting for the girl of his dreams. It was unsettling to say the least.
Easing back, he held her and stared across the sweep of palm trees, expression grim. "Let's go before I lose what little control I have." His voice was a little rough, his fingers bruising. "You have the most astonishing effect on me. I'm not sure I like it." Letting her go, he took her hand and led the way to the vehicle. This time it was a shiny metallic gray Benz.
*****
After making the journey to the restaurant in relative silence, he kept the conversation going as soon as they were seated at the same private table on the balcony. Luke greeted her like an old friend, hauling her against him and almost bruising her ribs.
The meal was delicious, the rigatoni delicate to the palate. He spoke of the plans for the palace and the difficulties they were having getting some of the particular designs he had in mind.
"You have lofty ideas." They had finished the soup and main course without her being aware of the time and were onto the sinfully delicious Tiramisu.
"You sound like my mother." He told her with a laugh. Amber eyes swept over her face and settled on her delectable looking mouth. Desire swept through him like a tidal wave and had him bobbling his glass of wine.
"I want you to meet her." He had not meant to say it out loud and it left him confused.
"I--"
"Forget it." His brusqueness had her bristling.
"Look--"
"I spoke out of turn." He smiled grimly. "Just my heart talking. How's the dessert?"
"Terrific." She stared at him for a moment and tried to stop the tremors.
"Rodney--"
His phone rang just then. He took the call and spoke rapidly before hanging up. "We're ready."
"Ready?"
"To go to Paris."
"Are you sure?"
He gave her a derisive look. "Are you sure?"
"You sounded angry--"
"Forget that." Rising, he walked around to take her hand. "I want to do this with you."
Trying hard not to be bowled over, but that was hard to do when she was, for the first time, faced with a plane that looked like she had stepped into a five-star hotel. They were met by a chicly dressed flight attendant wearing a red and blue uniform, her blonde hair expertly coiffed at the back of her neck, white teeth gleaming in a professional smile.
Melanie had to force herself not to pass her hand over her own hair or feel ashamed about her clothing.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No." Rodney shook his head as he held onto Melanie's hand. "Tell Jack that we'll be ready for takeoff in just a few minutes."
"Of course sir." She nodded and melted back inside.
There were several sofas in navy blue and a table in the middle. The wide arched columns opened up to what looked like a wet bar.
"Do you need anything?"
