The Contract by Marsh, Nicola (read aloud books .txt) 📕

stone that beckoned like a beacon. Predictably, she was barefoot, the silver toe-ring catching the sunlight. He’d never seen a woman so tempting in all his life.

He thrust his hands into his pockets before he reached towards her and did something stupid, like pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless.

“The trip was fine. I believe you have something for me?”

Confusion flittered across her face as she stared at him with those hazel eyes he could drown in, their unique colour reminding him of a watering hole he’d once seen in the outback, whose spectacular beauty had stayed etched in his memory. No other colour had come close to emulating what he’d seen at sunrise on that dusty morning years ago. Until now.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean.” She scuffed a bare foot over the other, reminding him of a recalcitrant child.

“I want your answer, Amber. And it better be the correct one.”

Her response wasn’t what he’d expected, as she stepped back and slammed the door in his face.

Five

Amber took a steadying breath. She couldn’t believe she’d done that. A loud knock, more insistent this time, had her reassessing the wisdom of her impulsive action.

She wrenched the door open and feigned a casualness she didn’t feel. “You’re still here.”

“What the hell was that about?”

If he took one step towards her she’d slam the door again and bolt it this time. He looked mad as hell.

She shrugged, wondering why she enjoyed baiting him so much. “I didn’t like your attitude.”

“I asked a simple question, Amber. And you owe me an answer. Nothing more, nothing less.” Though he spoke quietly, she noted the crossed arms, the rigid stance. She had him on the back-foot and he didn’t like it, not one bit.

“What it I said I’m still thinking about your offer?” She bit back a grin as his fists clenched. Oh yeah, she had him exactly where she wanted him.

“I’d say you’re a fool. Time has run out.” He stepped into the doorway and she had to back up, conceding ground.

She planted her hands on her hips and smiled. “Now is that any way to talk to your future wife?”

He recovered quickly, she’d give him that much. After standing stock-still for less than five seconds, her words galvanised him into action. He pushed his way into the van and kicked the door closed with a deft flick of his foot. Her confidence drained away as he reached towards her.

“Clever girl,” he said, pulling her flush against his body and running his hands over her butt.

“Oh yeah, I’m a regular Einstein.” She gasped as he pressed against her hips, sending desire spiralling through her over-heated body. She’d never been greeted like this before and her insides quivered, wildly exhilarated yet slightly terrified at her response to the man she would soon marry.

With one hand holding her flush against him, the other cradled her cheek as he stared into her eyes. “Why don’t you put that smart mouth to better use and kiss me?”

She did, standing on tiptoes to wind her arms around his neck and pull his head down, not stopping until his lips melded onto hers in a fiery reaction.

His kiss reminded her of how much she’d missed him, how much she’d yearned for his touch. She’d never hungered for physical release before, thinking sex was over-rated. However, as he nibbled and nipped at her bottom lip and his tongue flickered and teased, she knew this foreplay could lead to a mind-blowing experience she’d only dreamed about.

She had an irresistible urge to explore every inch of his body, the urgency clawing at her tenuous control to keep him begging for it. However, her hands took on a life of their own, stroking his back, exploring unfamiliar territory.

“I’m starving,” he said against the side of her mouth, as he trailed a row of tiny kisses upwards, raining them over her eyelids, her nose and her cheeks, towards her earlobe.

What was wrong with the man? He could actually think of food at a time like this? She shook her head as his breath tickled the damp skin beneath her ear.

“But not for food.” He licked his way down to her collarbone while sliding his hands up her ribcage, as if reading her mind.

She braced her hands on his chest as he backed her up against the wall. “Doesn’t this part come after the ‘I do’?” She panted, her breathing ragged.

He groaned as his hands slid under her top. “Don’t go old-fashioned on me now, sweetheart.”

She almost passed out with the sheer pleasure pulsating through her body as his thumb brushed her breast. She couldn’t think straight let alone answer him as he kept up the erotic assault on her senses.

The distant tinkle of merry-go-round music wrenched her back to the present and she wriggled away from his grasp. Pulling her top down, she tried to summon a glare. “Don’t you think we’ve got loads to talk about before jumping to the honeymoon bit?”

“There’s nothing to discuss. All the details are taken care of.”

“What do you mean?” A spurt of anger at his presumptuousness shot through her brain. How had he known she would say yes?

He looked around the caravan, her home since she’d been ten years old and moved out of her parent’s van, with barely concealed contempt. “All the arrangements are taken care of. We can get married this week. I’ve reserved a suite for you at my hotel, so let’s go.”

Her flame of anger exploded into a fireball of fury. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do. Though I’ve agreed to become your wife, it doesn’t mean I’m some nobody you can order around. I will stay here ’til