‘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?’
‘Greedy, entitled and infuriating?’
She chuckled and some of the tension wrapping around his neck and shoulders eased. If Jason had scared or hurt her, Conall wouldn’t answer for his actions. ‘Yes. And stupid too, to think I’d betray you with him.’
‘He wanted you?’
Of course he’d wanted her. She was beautiful inside and out. She was also the most effective, insightful person in his employ. He hoped that, over time, she’d take a much higher profile role.
Conall’s hand tightened and she stretched out her other leg, offering a second foot to be massaged.
‘It was a bit clumsy, really. He said he wanted me but he couldn’t really have expected me to say yes.’
‘You’d be surprised. An excess of self-confidence and wealth can be attractive.’
Greer’s eyes narrowed but this time not in pleasure. ‘He also said you were used to him taking things off you.’
Conall put his glass down with careful precision, then turned his attention to massaging her feet. He hated talking about his family. He preferred not even to think about them. But if he’d overcome his abhorrence and told Greer about his relatives perhaps she wouldn’t have let his half-brother corral her alone.
‘I’m sorry. I should have warned you.’
‘You weren’t to know he’d be there.’
‘I knew you’d meet my family eventually. They had to find out we’d married sometime.’
Those indigo eyes held his steadily. ‘He said another guest mentioned you were here with your bride.’
‘If I had my way, neither of us would have anything to do with my relatives.’
‘Does this have anything to do with why you kept our marriage secret?’ There was an edge to her voice.
‘Partly. I grew up in the full, intrusive glare of the public eye, and while things are much better now, I remember what it’s like to have people turning your private life into news stories. I told you that at the time. I wanted to give you time before the press got you in its sights.’ He frowned. ‘Didn’t you believe me?’
