Conall drew her towards the path, walking between her and his half-brother. Scowling, Jason opened his mouth but before he could unleash any poison, Conall leaned across and said something in his ear Greer couldn’t make out. She saw the older man flinch back, eyes wide with dismay.
Then she and her husband strolled across the terrace, his arm holding her close to his side.
‘Let’s find our hosts and thank them so we can leave.’
Greer looked up. Even under the bright lights, Conall looked at ease, as if nothing untoward had happened, but he held her so close she felt his rigidity. For a minute there she’d really thought he was going to flatten his half-brother.
‘You’re sure you want to go?’ She glanced around the glittering crowd. Billionaires and powerbrokers were everywhere, even a couple of Serene Highnesses. ‘Should we at least stay for the firework display?’
Obsidian eyes met hers with a look that made her fully aware of her feminine needs. It felt as if her skin didn’t fit anymore. It was too tight to contain the need clawing at her.
‘If you’d like to stay we can. I’ve done what I needed to do. As for fireworks…’ His slow smile was an exercise in seduction. Her core turned molten and she leaned closer. ‘We can manage those elsewhere.’
They were silent on the limo drive to their hotel. But, despite his fury over Jason’s behaviour, and his impatience at being denied the satisfaction of felling him with one solid punch to his self-satisfied face, Conall’s primary emotion was happiness.
For Greer had kissed him the way she used to. Without reservation. With no shadows of doubt.
Sheer elation kicked as adrenaline raced through his blood.
His wife was always the one who ensured everything went smoothly. He could be impatient and tunnel-visioned when focused on achieving his goals. After all, he’d learned at his father’s knee. Patience and the ability to listen and consult had taken years of practice. Greer was the one who smoothed his rough edges, should they ever show.
But she hadn’t given a damn about social niceties when she’d melted against him tonight. When he’d kissed her he’d have sworn she had nothing on her mind buthim. All the guests could have been standing watching them and it would have made no difference. Greerwantedhim.
And they’d held hands all the way back to the limo.
She must have been relieved when he’d interrupted Jason, but relief alone didn’t explain her reaction.
He opened the door to the presidential suite and ushered her inside, watching the undulating sway of her walk in high heels with something akin to pain in his lower body.
His need for her was so great but he knew sex alone couldn’t restore their relationship. That was what he had to remember, even when she paused to look at him over her shoulder, her smile a combination of hesitancy and a siren’s invitation.
‘A nightcap?’ He moved closer, allowing himself the pleasure of stroking her hand, his pulse quickening at her little shiver of response. ‘While we talk about Jason.’
That was a starting point, at least.
Her forehead wrinkled. ‘You want to talk about him, now?’
Conall moved towards the discreet bar against one wall. The prickling sensation that ran down his spine told him she tracked every step.
‘What Iwantis to make love with you. But it’s past time we began talking, don’t you think? Besides, I owe you an apology if not an explanation.’
He turned back, half fearing she’d retreat from him again. Instead her dilated eyes and parted lips proved she felt the same hunger. Relief filled his lungs.
‘Whisky, please.’
Conall smiled. Neither drank much but occasionally at the end of a long day’s work, they’d share a whisky.
He waited until they were seated and she’d taken a sip before asking, ‘What did he want? I have a fair idea but…’
Greer shifted in the corner of the lounge they now shared, pulling up her bare feet. She shrugged and a myriad of tiny scarlet lights winked across her body. Conall swallowed.
‘Information. He seemed to think I had no concept of confidentiality or loyalty. He wanted to know who you’re seeing in Singapore, what deals you’re negotiating.’ She frowned over the rim of her glass. ‘Did he follow you to Singapore?’
It was Conall’s turn to shrug. ‘I have no idea but I suspect it was coincidence.’ He slid closer along the sofa, palming her ankle then circling the smooth skin of her leg. They needed to talk, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t touch. ‘What else did he want?’
To his delight, Greer stretched out her leg across his lap. Their eyes met and Conall struggled to remember his train of thought. Carefully he smoothed his fingers over her instep before massaging her sole.
Greer’s eyelids lowered as she sank into the cushions. Instead of answering she asked a question of her own. ‘Is he always like that?’
