hardness, then rendered a similar supplication to its twin.
He took her to the brink between pleasure and pain, then trailed his mouth down to suckle each tender nub until she moved restlessly against him.
It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, and a soundless gasp escaped her lips as one hand slid to the apex between her thighs, teased the thin silk barrier of her briefs, only to retreat.
Anneke whimpered in protest, then she caught hold of his head and brought his mouth to her own in fierce possession, testing his control.
She’d thought to delight in his loss of it, but nothing prepared her for the deep, penetrating invasion that took hold of her emotions and tossed them high.
Her hands reached for his shoulders and she simply clung to him until the storm inside began to diminish. Slowly, ever so slowly, he lightened the kiss until his lips merely brushed against her own, then he linked his arms at the base of her spine.
His eyes were dark, so dark they were almost black, and there was a waiting quality evident beneath the sensual warmth.
The next move was hers. He was giving her the option to move away from him, say any words by way of excuse, then leave.
If she stayed, it would be because she wanted to, not due to any unfair persuasion on his part.
Indecision warred temporarily as she fought desire with sanity.
How could you know a man for months, a year, longer, yet not really know him at all? Then meet another, and see almost at once the heart of the man beneath the many layers fashioned by time and experience?
She could turn away and never know the joy he offered, or the depth of emotion they could share. Yet what was the price she might have to pay?
Sadly, she had the feeling it would be way too high.
‘I think I’d better go.’
Sebastian leaned forward and brushed his lips against her forehead. ‘I could tell you not to think. Just to feel.’
She lifted her head and met his steady gaze. There was a depth apparent that frightened her. Not out of a sense of threat, but something she was too afraid to define.
‘I know.’ Her voice came out as a husky whisper. She even managed a shaky smile. ‘But you won’t.’
He let his arms fall to his sides, and watched the fleeting emotions chase across her expressive features.
Then he watched as she took a backward step, then turned and walked to the door.
‘Be ready at nine.’
Her hand froze as she reached for the latch, and she cast him a startled glance over one shoulder.
‘Our picnic, remember?’ A slow smile spread his mouth. ‘I’ll organise the food.’
Anneke recovered quickly. ‘Nine.’ Then she opened the door and closed it quietly behind her.
She’d left a light on inside her aunt’s cottage, and it provided a welcoming glow as she crossed the path.
Sleep didn’t come easily. Nor did peace of mind. But then she hadn’t expected it to.
ANNEKE woke at dawn, opened one eye, groaned, then rolled over and tried to capture sleep. Two hours would be great, but she’d settle for one.
Ten minutes later she gave up on it and slid out of bed. An early-morning swim, then she’d shower, have breakfast, and package the small Christmas cakes designated as gifts ready to consign to the postal services tomorrow.
She expected to see Sebastian on the beach, but he was nowhere in sight. She ran the length of the cove, then stripped down to her swimsuit for a leisurely swim.
It was almost eight-thirty when Aunt Vivienne rang to report that Elise was progressing so well the doctors were confident she’d go close to full term.
‘How are you getting on with Sebastian, Anneke?’
Oh, my, now there was a question! What would her kindly aunt think if Anneke went with total honesty and said she was on the verge of going to bed with him?
‘Fine.’ That covered a multitude of contingencies.
‘Why don’t you fly up and join us for Christmas, darling? I know Sebastian is going to Paris, and I don’t like to think of you at the cottage alone.’
‘That’s thoughtful of you,’ Anneke declared warmly, grateful for the option of spending the festive season with family.
It was almost nine when she smoothed a hand down the seam of her designer jeans, then slid nervous fingers along the ribbed hem of the skinny top she’d chosen to wear.
A knock on the door heralded Sebastian’s arrival, and she caught hold of her bag, collected her sunglasses, then crossed to open the kitchen door.
Clad in dark blue jeans and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled part-way up each forearm, he looked far too vibrant for any girl’s peace of mind.
‘Good morning.’
Sunglasses made it impossible for her to detect his expression, and she matched his smile with one of her own.
Sebastian headed the Range Rover north when they reached the open highway.
‘Where are we going?’
‘The Gold Coast hinterland. Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s.’ He spared her a warm glance. ‘We’ll feed the lorikeets, have lunch, then maybe head down to Surfers Paradise for an hour or two.’
The sun was hot, tempered by a slight breeze, and Anneke was delighted by the friendly lorikeets. Feeding time was something else as the brightly coloured green and red plumed parrots settled on her arms then walked up onto her shoulders. Some even settled on her head, and she laughed when one became over-curious with the band confining her hair. His claws became tangled in the single thick plait, and his squawking brought Sebastian to the rescue.
‘Hold still.’
‘Believe me, I wouldn’t think of doing anything else,’ she assured him as he moved in close.
Too close. She was intensely aware of his shirt-clad chest and shoulders only mere inches from her cheek. Clean fabric mingled with the faint musky tones of his aftershave, and played havoc with her senses.
‘He won’t hurt you,’ Sebastian murmured. ‘He’s just frightened.’
That makes two of us. But it wasn’t the parrot she was afraid of.
‘There,’ Sebastian reassured. ‘He’s free.’ He caught hold of her chin and lifted it. ‘His claws didn’t scratch you?’
‘No.’ Her mouth was inches away from his, and she had
