you. And you’ve caught some sun. You look lovely.”

I flush, speechless at his compliment.

“Well, I was going to pay you a visit tomorrow. But here you are.”

He reaches over, takes my hand, and squeezes it gently, running his thumb across my

knuckles to and fro… and I feel the familiar pull. The electric charge zapping beneath my

skin under the gentle pressure from his thumb, firing into my blood stream and pulsing

around my body, heating everything in its path. It’s been over two days since I saw him.

Oh my... I want him. My breath hitches. I blink at him, smiling shyly, and see a smile play

on his beautiful, sculptured lips.

“I thought I’d surprise you. But as ever, Anastasia, you surprise me by being here.”

I glance quickly at Mom who is staring at Christian… yes staring! Stop it Mom.As if

he’s some exotic creature, never seen before. I mean, I know I’ve never had a boyfriend,

and Christian only qualifies as such for ease of reference – but is it so unbelievable that I

could attract a man? This man? Yes, frankly – look at him –my subconscious snaps. Oh,

shut up! Who invited you to the party? I scowl at my mom – but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t want to interrupt the time you have with your mother. I’ll have a quick drink

and then retire. I have work to do,” he states earnestly.

“Christian, it’s lovely to meet you finally,” Mom interjects, finally finding her voice.

“Ana has spoken very fondly of you.”

He smiles at her.

“Really?” He raises an eyebrow at me, an amused expression on his face, and I flush

again.

The waiter arrives with our drinks.

“Hendricks, sir,” he says with a triumphant flourish.

“Thank you,” Christian murmurs in acknowledgement.

I sip my latest Cosmo nervously.

“How long are you in Georgia, Christian?” Mom asks.

“Until Friday, Mrs. Adams.”

“Will you have dinner with us tomorrow evening? And please, call me Carla.”

“I’d be delighted to, Carla.”

“Excellent. If you two will excuse me, I need to visit the powder room.”

Mom… you’ve just been.I look at her desperately as she stands and walks off, leaving

us alone together.

“So, you’re mad at me for having dinner with an old friend.” Christian turns his burn-

ing, wary gaze to me, lifting my hand to his lips and kissing each knuckle gently.

Jeez, he wants to do this now?

“Yes,” I murmur as my heated blood courses through me.

“Our sexual relationship was over long ago, Anastasia,” he whispers. “I don’t want

anyone but you. Haven’t you worked that out yet?”

I blink at him.

“I think of her as a child molester, Christian.” I hold my breath waiting for his reaction.

Christian blanches.

“That’s very judgmental. It wasn’t like that,” he whispers, shocked. He releases my

hand. Judgmental?

“Oh, how was it then?” I ask. The Cosmos are making me brave.

He frowns at me, bewildered. I continue.

“She took advantage of a vulnerable fifteen-year-old boy. If you had been a fifteen-

year-old girl and Mrs. Robinson was a Mr. Robinson, tempting you into a BDSM lifestyle,

that would have been okay? If it was Mia, say?”

He gasps and scowls at me.

“Ana, it wasn’t like that.”

I glare at him.

“Okay, it didn’t feel like that to me,” he continues quietly. “She was a force for good.

What I needed.”

“I don’t understand.” It’s my turn to look bewildered.

“Anastasia, your mother will be back shortly. I’m not comfortable talking about this

now. Later maybe. If you don’t want me here, I have a plane on stand-by at Hilton Head.

I can go.”

He’s angry with me… no.

“No – don’t go. Please. I’m thrilled you’re here. I’m just trying to make you under-

stand. I’m angry that as soon as I left, you had dinner with her. Think about how you are

when I get anywhere near José. José is a good friend. I have never had a sexual relation-

ship with him. Whereas you and her,” I trail off, unwilling to take that thought further.

“You’re jealous?” He stares at me, dumbfounded, and his eyes soften slightly, warm-

ing.“Yes, and angry about what she did to you.”

“Anastasia, she helped me, that’s all I’ll say about that. And as for your jealousy, put

yourself in my shoes. I haven’t had to justify my actions to anyone in the last seven years.

Not one person. I do as I wish, Anastasia. I like my autonomy. I didn’t go and see Mrs.

Robinson to upset you. I went because every now and then we have dinner. She’s a friend

and a business partner.”

Business partner? Holy crap. This is news.

He gazes at me, assessing my expression.

“Yes, we’re business partners. The sex is over between us. It has been for years.”

“Why did your relationship finish?”

His mouth narrows, and his eyes gleam.

“Her husband found out.”

Holy shit!

“Can we talk about this some other time – somewhere more private?” he growls.

“I don’t think you’ll ever convince me that she’s not some kind of paedophile.”

“I don’t think of her that way. I never have. Now that’s enough!” he snaps.

“Did you love her?”

“How are you two getting on?” My mother has returned, unseen by either of us.

I plaster a fake smile on my face as both Christian and I lean back hastily… guiltily.

She gazes at me.

“Fine, Mom.”

Christian sips his drink, watching me closely, his expression guarded. What is he

thinking? Did he love her? I think if he did, I will lose it, big time.

“Well ladies, I shall leave you to your evening.”

No… no… he can’t leave me hanging like this.

“Please put these drinks on my tab, room number 612. I’ll call on you in the morning,

Anastasia. Until tomorrow, Carla.”

“Oh, it’s so nice to hear someone use your full name.”

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” Christian murmurs, shaking her outstretched

hands, and she actually simpers .

Oh Mom, – et tu Bruté?I stand, gazing up at him, imploring him to answer my ques-

tion, and he kisses my cheek, chastely.

“Laters, baby,” he whispers in my ear. Then he’s gone.

Damned control-freak-bastard.My anger returns in full force. I slump into my chair

and turn to face my mother.

“Well strike me down with a feather, Ana. He’s a catch. I don’t know what’s going on

between you two though. I think you need to talk to each other. Phew – the UST in here,

it’s unbearable.” She fans herself theatrically.

“MOM!”

“Go talk to him.”

“I can’t. I came here to see you.”

“Ana, you came here because you’re confused about that boy. It’s obvious you two are

crazy about each other. You need to talk to him. He’s just flown three thousand odd miles

to see you, for heaven’s sake. And you know how awful it is to fly.”

I flush. I haven’t told her about his private plane.

“What?” she snaps at me.

“He has his own plane,” I mumble, embarrassed, and it’s only two and a half thousand

miles, Mom.

Why am I embarrassed?Her eyebrows shoot up.

“Wow,” she mutters. “Ana, there’s something going on between you two. I’ve been

trying to fathom it since you arrived here. But the only way you are going to sort the prob-

lem, whatever it is, is to talk it through with him. You can do all the thinking you like – but

until you actually talk, you’re not going to get anywhere.”

I frown at my mother.

“Ana, honey, you’ve always had a tendency to over-analyze everything. Go with your

gut. What does that tell you, sweetheart?”

I stare at my fingers.

“I think I’m in love with him,” I mutter.