it—or make me enough to live on!’
‘That’s where I have good news. Camilla caught me on the way in. She very much wants you to work on the next three hotels and is prepared to pay for the privilege. Do you trust me to negotiate you a good deal?’
Flora sat up, the water sloshing as she did so. It was so deep she was still respectably covered, just her shoulders rising from the white foam like Aphrodite. As enticing and tempting as Aphrodite. ‘A good deal? Does she know that my previous experience pretty much consisted of that awful pink fruit décor and the teapot theme for those cosy retro cafés? And let’s not forget the chintzy bedding range. This is a massive step up. I should be paying her!’
He grinned. ‘All she’s heard for the last twenty-four hours are her guests desperate to get hold of your work. If she can announce right now, while the buzz is still big, that you’re the designer for her next three hotels then that’s quite a coup for Lusso Hotels. I told you she likes to work with people who have a marketable story and right now that’s you. It’s a great way to get publicity for both here and for her future plans.’
She bit her lip. ‘I suppose. And she was already considering me so nothing much has changed.’
‘Nothing much but the price tag. If you subcontract to me then I can pay you monthly—which will give you some stability while you step up your own designs as well. Like all projects there will be weeks when you don’t need to do much for Lusso Hotels and other weeks when it will be frantic. But the subcontract could include studio space at my office for the length of the contract and if you use it for your other work then that’s fine. It’ll be yours.’
‘That would be great. At least that’s the space issue sorted.’
Alex had saved the best bit for last. ‘And she would like to see a touch of your own style in your plans for the Bali hotel, so I guess I was wrong when I said to watch the whimsy.’
Her eyes sparkled. ‘Really? You were wrong? Can I have that in writing?’
‘Watch it.’ He dipped a hand in the bath and scooped up a little bit of water.
‘Don’t you dare...this is a serious bath. I already told you.’
‘Don’t I dare what? Do this?’ He trickled the water slowly onto the exposed part of her chest, his heartbeat quickening as he watched the silvery drops trace a trail down her skin until they disappeared into the deep vee between her breasts.
‘Or this?’ she countered sweetly and before he could move away she grabbed the front of his shirt and hauled him into the bath, laughing as he landed on top of her. ‘Mind my hair. I don’t want to get it wet!’
Alex raised himself onto his hands and knees. ‘Now look what you’ve done. My clothes are all soaking.’ He rocked back onto his heels, ignoring the splash of the water as it sloshed over the side of the bath. ‘I’m going to have to take them off. You wanted a serious bath, Flora Buckingham? You’ve got one.’
Her eyes didn’t leave his as he pulled the sopping-wet shirt over his head, or as he began to unbutton his trousers. ‘Bring it on,’ she said, her voice breaking huskily, belying the tough words. ‘If you think you’re man enough.’
‘Oh, Flora,’ he promised her as his trousers and boxers followed his shirt over the side of the bath. ‘I’m more than man enough. Just wait and see.’
* * *
‘Come on, what’s taking so long?’ Alex sounded impatient as he rapped on the bathroom door. Again.
Flora rolled her eyes at her reflection. ‘It’s not my fault I had to redo my hair,’ she called back. ‘I told you not to get it wet.’
He didn’t answer for a moment, then: ‘Regrets, Flora?’
‘That my hair got wet? It might have been worth it.’ That didn’t mean she was entirely regret free but she wasn’t going to admit that to him. Or to herself. Not tonight. It was their last night, they were going to a Christmas ball and she looked, even if she said so herself, pretty darn smoking.
The dress she had bought from the vintage shop in Innsbruck was deceptively demure. The chiffon cap sleeves revealed just a hint of her shoulder and the neckline hugged the tops of her breasts, the bodice narrowing at her waist before flaring out again, the full skirt finishing at her calves. She saw more revealing outfits every day in the offices she temped in.
Deceptively demure. It covered everything and yet...was it the bright red, a shocking contrast to the paleness of her skin? Was it the fit, the way it clung like a second skin? Or was it the way it defined and enhanced every curve so that, despite the modest neckline, Flora felt more exposed than if she was venturing out in just her bra?
Maybe it was because she was so obviously and evidently dolled up? Her hair tumbled free in carefully arranged curls, her lips were red and her eyes outlined in dark, dark kohl and, for once, she had slipped her feet into heels, which would make her taller than most of the men in the room.
But Alex would still top her.
‘Flora...’
‘Okay, okay, I’m coming.’ She took one last look. Yes, she was definitely smoking—either that or she looked like a pin-up version of Mrs Claus but either way she had no choice. She had nothing else even remotely suitable for a Christmas ball. Inhaling deeply, Flora opened the bathroom door.
And stared. It was so unfair. Here she was. Two hours later. Hair washed, curled, sprayed and teased. Body plucked free of each and every stray hair, moisturised and buffed, face artfully painted, nails filed and polished, dress squeezed into, shoes forced on. And what had Alex done? Showered, shaved and shrugged himself into his tux.
She swallowed, her mouth dry. The stark black, relieved only by the crisp white of his shirt, suited him, brought out the auburn glints in his hair, made his eyes greener than grey. He looked like a stranger; a powerful, imposing and hot stranger.
A powerful, imposing and hot stranger who was staring straight back at her, mouth slightly open and a dazed expression on his face.
‘Will I do?’
He didn’t answer straight away, just nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘You look incredible.’
Heat flooded her cheeks at the expression in his eyes. ‘Fine feathers,’ she said a little unsteadily. ‘Put anyone into a dress like this and they’ll scrub up okay.’
‘No.’ His eyes were so intent, heat smouldering in their depths, that she felt completely exposed, naked. ‘The dress is...’ His gaze travelled over her, burning a trail onto her, marking her, claiming her. ‘The dress is sensational. But it’s all you, Flora. You’d look just as amazing in a sheet.’
‘Thank you.’ She blinked, unexpected tears filling her eyes at the raw want in his voice. ‘You don’t look too bad yourself.’
They stood, caught in time just staring at each other, the pressure in the room intensifying until it was just the two of them, caught in a spotlight. Flora cleared her throat. ‘Shall we go?’ She didn’t want to prolong the moment. Not tonight. Not when tomorrow meant moments such as this would be finished for ever.
Flora waited for him to open the door but he just stood
