THE DEAL by Marsh, Nicola (electronic reader txt) 📕

dress, which threatened to plunge lower with every passing second. In that moment Kara pitied her, knowing what it was like to be unloved and unwanted by a man like Matt.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you two will talk again, especially now you’re seeing his best friend.”

Miranda smiled, showing a staggering display of capped teeth gleaming in the lamplight. “You’re really nice. I’m so glad Matt’s chosen you to settle down with.”

Kara chuckled, trying to ignore the increased tempo of her heartbeat. “Who told you that?”

“Luke, of course. Those two are practically joined at the hip and he says that Matt’s ga-ga over you. He’s never seen him like this over anybody.”

Before Kara could answer, Jeff joined them.

“Lucky me to be with the two most beautiful women in the room. Enjoying yourselves, ladies?”

Kara nodded, happy for Miranda to launch into conversation with him while she sought out Matt. She spotted him near the snooker table, deep in conversation with Luke. Her heart contracted as she considered what Miranda had told her.

Was Luke’s estimation accurate? Did Matt care for her or was he a damn good actor? Luke worked in the firm and was obviously on good terms with Jeff, so wouldn’t Matt need to convince him of their relationship in the hope it would bolster his chances of a partnership with his dad? That had to be it. It was the only logical explanation and it hurt more than she cared to admit. For one brief, ecstatic minute, she wanted to believe he genuinely cared about her, before reality set in.

She excused herself and left the room, eager to find a quiet spot to compose her thoughts. Their room was no good, for that was the first place Matt would search for her. So she headed for the pool house, linked to the main house by a long, glass-enclosed corridor. Several chaise lounges surrounded the sparkling clear pool, which would challenge any elite swimmer. The humid air clung to her skin and she lay back on one of the lounges and closed her eyes.

If dinner had been a nightmare, the remainder of the night was going to be sheer hell. She’d used every excuse to convince herself she didn’t love Matt: rich, successful lawyers weren’t her type, he was a playboy who would love her and leave her, his lifestyle demanded the perfect image and she only provided that for other people as part of her business.

Not to mention the biggest excuse: she’d offered herself to him once before and he’d rejected her. All perfectly valid reasons but she couldn’t deny it any longer. She loved him. She’d finally realised it that night at her place,when he’d invited her to accompany him on this weekend.

It hadn’t been one particular thing he’d said or done. She just knew as soon as he left that her life was empty without him. She loved him, had probably always loved him. So what the hell was she going to do when he slipped into bed beside her tonight? And worse, when he slipped out of her life at the conclusion of their deal?

She wasn’t stupid. She’d seen evidence of his desire earlier that afternoon and it hadn’t been the first time. Matt hadn’t hidden the fact he found her sexually appealing since she’d signed the stupid deal. But didn’t he find all women appealing? He probably thought it was perfectly natural sex was part of their deal. She seriously doubted any woman had been silly enough to knock him back in the past. Well, she’d be the first. She had to be, to survive the next few months with her heart intact.

A sudden splash interrupted her thoughts and she looked towards the pool but couldn’t see anyone. Seconds ticked by. Whoever was underwater could hold their breath for longer than she could. Just as she was starting to panic, Matt hoisted himself out of the pool before her eyes.

Her throat constricted as she watched water droplets sluice down his magnificently toned body and fall in gentle plops onto the tiles. She’d caught a glimpse of his body that day on the yacht, but after their argument hadn’t been in any frame of mind to register its splendour. Tonight, she had all the time in the world to appreciate his broad shoulders, washboard abs and lean, muscular legs. He had the body of an athlete, not an ounce of extra weight gracing his torso.

Her nipples hardened beneath the silk she wore as her insides clenched. He strolled towards her, wearing nothing but the briefest of black bathers and a smile.

“Fancy a dip?”

He held out his hand and she stared at him, mesmerised by the hunger in his eyes, darkened to the colour of midnight. “I-I haven’t brought a swimsuit,” she stammered, placing her hand tentatively in his.

“So?”

The whispered word hung between them, intensifying the moment tenfold. The cloying humidity plucked at her dress and she had an urge to tear it off as he pulled her towards him, crushing her against his body.

Kara moaned as his mouth sought hers. She parted her lips and welcomed his devouring kiss, all thoughts of resistance lost. His tongue tangled with hers, coaxing, thrusting, teasing. She parried his moves, savouring the thrill of his hunger matching hers.

“I want you so much,” he murmured against the side of her mouth, as his hands slid down her back.

In response, she writhed against him, revelling in the feel of his bare skin beneath her inquisitive fingers.

“The feeling’s mutual,” she sighed, as his lips found the hollow between her neck and collarbone and nibbled gently.

“Are you sure?” His lips stilled to whisper the question, though his hands maintained their caress along her spine.

Through the haze of passion,