Not a problem!
Still, that was easier thought than believed…
She idly noted the bees buzzing lazily around giant deep pink trumpet-shaped flowers that seemed to grow wild all around them.
A clutch of cabins was just ahead of them, each private and separated by trees. All had hammocks identical to the ones she and Raffaele had, although these hammocks were knotted, unused because the cabins were empty.
She swatted away some tiny insects from in front of her, realising that she was baking hot in her skirt and blouse.
Bypassing the cabins, they chatted idly about the state of the overlong grass and the signs of decay in the wood, but Erin knew that the topic of her father would reappear. Sure enough, once they’d explored some of the forested area beyond the main hotel and begun to trudge back to the cool of the hotel, Raffaele shoved his hands into the pockets of his lightweight trousers, turned to her and picked up where they had left off.
‘I’m too hot to answer any questions,’ Erin said irritably, breathing a huge sigh of relief when they were back in the hotel foyer where the overhead fan was generating at least a smattering of cool air.
Raffaele grinned. ‘I did think that your outfit might have been a little much for this heat,’ he said. ‘Did you bring anything lighter?’
‘Sort of,’ she sighed, sweeping her hair back and feeling it damp with perspiration.
‘Sort of? You meansort of cotton shorts? Orsort of loose clothing? We’ll wrap this meeting up quickly, head into town and get you clothes that will be a little more comfortable while we’re here or else you’ll find yourself completely overwhelmed by the humidity. In fact—’ he glanced at his watch ‘—you skip the meeting and I’ll meet you outside your cabin at twelve fifteen. You can change into something more comfortable. We’re not going to discuss anything important anyway so it’s not essential you attend. I’ll arrange transport into town…’
‘Raffaele…’
‘No protesting, Erin. The last thing I want or need is a secretary who can’t function because she’s overcome by the heat.’
‘No, I’m sure you don’t,’ Erin said testily, ‘especially considering you’ve already rescued me once already. How much more rescuing can you be expected to do before your trusty steed collapses?’
He grinned broadly at that and she glared back, too steaming hot to do much else.
As soon as he headed off into the hotel, she flew to her cabin. She’d packed two pairs of shorts but they weren’t decent enough to wear to a meeting. Too old and way too short.
Her skirts, which would have been perfect for an English summer, were ridiculously out of place when it came to coping in a furnace. Buttons on blouses were maddening.
She had a quick shower then changed into another of her stupid skirts and this time one of the old T-shirts and her flip-flops instead of the canvas shoes she had been wearing.
Raffaele knocked promptly on her door at twelve fifteen.
Annoyingly, he looked cool as a cucumber.
‘That looks a lot more suitable’ was the first thing he said in an approving voice. ‘Why didn’t you wear that this morning? Don’t feel that you have to dress formally while you’re here, even if itissomething of a working holiday. I’ve got a driver to take us into town. Ready?’
‘Guess so.’
‘Don’t sound so thrilled.’ His voice lightened with amusement as he led the way to the jeep that was on standby. ‘Don’t women love shopping?’
‘Not all.’
Once in the back seat of the sturdy little jeep, Erin relaxed back and half closed her eyes.
‘All the women I’ve ever dated have loved shopping. In fact, I’d say that they were all passionate about it, the sort of passion top scientists might feel in pursuit of the cure for cancer.’
‘That says more about the women you choose to date than the female species as a whole.’ She slanted a sideways glance at him to find him staring at her with a lazy half smile on his face.
So, so unfairly sexy. Her thoughts were sluggish and she didn’t look away, not even when he slowly raised his eyebrows in a question.
The car bumped along the very uneven road that had brought them to the compound the day before.
The breeze was lovely and she felt as floppy as a rag doll.
When she finally glanced away from his face, she realised that her hand was on the seat between them as though begging to be held. Honestly, she still felt too lethargic to whip it away. It was as though the intense heat had formed gaping cracks in her usual defence systems.
