She was still enthusiastically surveying her domain when the final battered suitcase was deposited on the floor.

„Isn‟t it fantastic?‟ She walked over to the window and looked down on a stunning vista of sprawling city, river, bridges, cars and people that looked like moving toys.

„Where on earth are you going to sleep?‟

At this, Mattie turned around and looked at him as though he had taken leave of his senses.

„On the floor, of course. As you can see, there‟s no furniture and I had none to bring with me.‟

„The floor.‟ His expression was rich with distaste and incredulity.

„In a sleeping bag,‟ Mattie elaborated, waving her arm vaguely in the direction of some of her possessions. „Old but serviceable. And I took a pillow. I‟d offer you some coffee, but unfortunately no kettle. Or, for that matter, coffee. And there‟s no point standing there looking as though you‟ve been transported into a horror movie. You may find the thought of a sleeping bag inconceivable, but I don‟t.‟

„Well, you might once you‟ve climbed into one and discovered that the floor can be harder than you think.‟ It hadn‟t occurred to him that the apartment would be unfurnished. He should have insisted she stay with him until they could equip her with at least a few rudimentary sticks of furniture. Then he wondered what the hell he was thinking. Stay with him? He almost laughed aloud at the ludicrous thought that had popped into his head. Not even Rosalind had featured as a possible candidate for sharing his place.

„I happen to know how sleeping bags function, Dominic.‟ Mattie folded her arms and perched on the sill of the impressive bay window so that she could look at him wryly. „I‟ve spent many a holiday camping out, though I don‟t suppose you have.‟ Funny, but it was getting harder and harder to build their differences into the equation. Just as well the odd remark like that surfaced, so that she could be reminded of just how incompatible they were on the most fundamental level.

„We‟ll have to get you some furniture,‟ was his response, as he continued to look around him. „You can‟t be expected to live like this. Why didn‟t you take a few more things from the house?‟ he demanded, finally settling his gaze on her.

„Because none of it belonged to me? Because I could have been accused of theft?‟

„And he never offered you anything? Even though you were lovers and you spent years bailing him out of penury by paying the bills?‟ His mouth curled in disgust. „We can go to Harrods, get one or two things. Some chairs. A table. A tel—‟

„Hold it!‟ Did he think that he could somehow buy her? Because that was what it suddenly felt like. Lust was one thing. But having anything bought for her was out of the question. Those were things that related to a whole different world from the one they had agreed to share. She had a dizzying feeling of wondering what it would be like to be given things out of love, and was momentarily frightened by the power it wove over her. Then she blinked and returned to normal.

„You won‟t be buying me anything. If I want anything, then I‟ll do what the rest of the human race does. I‟ll save up.‟

„For heaven‟s sake, Mattie, I can affor—‟

„Forget it. I won‟t accept anything from you and I won‟t live thinking that you‟ve somehow managed to buy me.‟

Dominic saw the determined glint in her eyes and lowered his. He wouldn‟t allow himself to think of the potential mess that might be the result of his own creating. No. He would sort that out when the time was right. He had never had a problem sorting anything out in his life before.

„OK,‟ he agreed, his expression changing to one of lazy sensuality. „Would lunch pass your pride test, in that case?‟

Mattie felt herself smile slightly.

„Followed by a housewarming party for two back here?‟

How could she resist? She had been so strong when she had first met him. Had known that he was an alien from a different planet. When had he developed that talent for turning her brain to cotton wool? And how long, she wondered with a stirring of alarm, before she discovered that she had no immune system left when it came to him?

CHAPTER SEVEN

„IT‟S absolutely fantastic. Meeting prospective clients. Working with the advertising people on ways of making the apartments irresistible to professionals who would rather live north of the river. And have I told you about the ideas we were throwing around for renting out one of the rooms off the atrium as a restaurant? Maybe try wooing one of those celebrity chefs to set it up and get it running?‟

No, she hadn‟t. Dominic pushed back his chair and looked at her with an amused and, he knew, proprietorial smile. This new Mattie was eager, self-confident. Only now and again did the defensive, wary creature rear her head. In about two hours she would be doing that because he would, as he always did, suggest that she stay the night with him instead of going back to her apartment even though, after three weeks, she had at least managed to get herself a bed, a functioning, very small fridge and a small pine table for the kitchen along with two chairs.

„You‟re not listening to a word I‟m saying,‟ Mattie grumbled. She stood up and began transferring plates and cutlery from table to sink. They now ate here, at his apartment, more often than not. Which, after a month, was still only three nights a week, but three nights that she now found herself looking forward to and expecting with craven anticipation.

„I thought we might go to the country tomorrow. Spend the weekend there. I need to check up on my house there anyway, make sure everything‟s ticking over.‟ Dominic clasped his hands behind his head and surveyed her through hooded eyes. How he enjoyed watching her!

Watching the way her clothes swung around her, knowing that her body was for his enjoyment only, that with one touch he would feel her tremble for him. He thought about undoing the little pearl buttons of her shirt, softly parting it and then basking in the unsurpassed pleasure of scooping her breasts free of their lacy restraints. He forced himself away from the evocative image to find her staring at him and frowning, perched with her back to the sink.

„There‟s no need to look at me like that,‟ he said irritably. „It‟s a simple enough suggestion. Get out of London for a weekend, have a break in the country. People do it all the time.‟ He pushed himself away from the table and went to where she was still standing in thoughtful silence.

„What‟s there to think about?‟ He leant over her, hands on either side, propping himself up against the counter. Sheer frustration was beginning to set in. „This isn‟t a life or death choice.‟

„It wouldn‟t be a good idea.‟

„Why not?‟ Dominic demanded, frowning darkly. „I happen to think it‟s an exceptional idea. When was the last time you got out of London? Went anywhere?‟