Taming the Rebel Tycoon: Wife by Approval / Dating the Rebel Tycoon / The Playboy Takes a Wife

Richard helped her up and into the car before pulling on his jacket and climbing in beside her.

‘If I’m not going back to town tonight—’ she spoke the thought aloud ‘—I ought to let the hotel know.’

‘Don’t worry,’ he said easily. ‘I’ll take care of that as soon as we get back.’

When they reached the castle, Mullins drove carefully over the cobbled courtyard and, stopping by the impressive door, got out to open it, while Richard came round to Tina’s side and, stooping, instructed, ‘Put your arms round my neck.’

When she obeyed, he lifted her out effortlessly and carried her inside, saying to Mullins on the way, ‘Thanks and goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, sir, madam.’

‘Goodnight,’ Tina said huskily.

Though she tried to stay calm, being held in Richard’s arms and cradled against his broad chest made her heart start to throw itself against her ribcage and her breathing quicken and grow ragged.

Since she had first seen him standing in Cartel’s loading bay she had been drawn to him, fascinated by him, beguiled and bewitched.

And that dark enchantment and the sexual tension that accompanied it had never slackened. In fact it had increased, so that she no longer trusted her ability to be strong, to follow the course she had set herself…

But somehow she had to hide that growing weakness, otherwise he would take advantage of it and then she would lose what little was left of her pride…

As he carried her up the stairs and into his suite she realised that, like the previous night, though her breathing had quickened, his hadn’t altered in the slightest.

Carrying her through to the guest room, he said, ‘I presume, from all you said earlier, that you’d prefer to sleep here.’

It was a statement rather than a question and it made it easier to answer, ‘Yes, thank you. I would,’ and sound as if she meant it.

When she had dropped her bag on the nearest chair he carried her into the bathroom and, setting her down carefully, helped her off with her coat before asking, ‘Shall I ring for one of the maids?’

‘Oh, no. There’s no need to disturb anyone so late. I can manage perfectly well.’

‘In that case I’ll fetch your bag.’

Returning with them almost immediately, he queried, ‘Sure you’re all right for the moment?’

‘Quite sure, thank you.’

‘Then I’ll ring the hotel and find some strapping for that ankle.’

Handicapped as she was, it took her longer than usual to shower, clean her teeth and put on her nightdress and gown. Finally, warm and dry and scented, she brushed out her long corn-gold hair. Normally, for bed, she braided it, but, fearing a plait might look childish, she returned to the bedroom with it loose around her shoulders.

He was sitting in one of the low chairs, his long legs stretched out, his ankles crossed negligently.

Rising to his feet at her approach, he said lightly, ‘All ready with the first aid kit.’

‘I’m sorry to have been so long,’ she apologized.

‘Considering the difficulties, I think you’ve been remarkably quick…’

He turned the quilt back. ‘Now, then, if you’d like to get into bed, I’ll take a look at that ankle.’

Her calf-length nightdress was relatively modest and, slipping off her gown, she got into bed, praying he would do what he needed to do and go quickly.

When she was settled against the pillows, he examined her ankle once more, his strong fingers gently probing the slight swelling.

Seeing her wince, he said, ‘It should be a lot less painful once it’s strapped up.’

Taking a pad soaked in something cold and a stretch bandage, he sat down on the edge of the bed and proceeded to deftly apply them.

‘There—’he tucked the end in neatly ‘—how does that feel?’

‘Much better already, thank you.’

‘With a bit of luck it will be as good as new by morning.’He rose to his feet and pulled the quilt up in preparation for going.

She was just breathing a sigh of relief when he sat down again and studied her face. ‘You look a bit pale and tense; would you like a hot drink and a couple of painkillers before I leave you?’

Very conscious of him, she shook her head. ‘Thank you, but I don’t really need them. My ankle’s fine while I’m lying down. It only hurts when I try to put any weight on it…’ Realising that nervousness was making her babble, she stopped abruptly.

‘Then if there’s nothing else I can do for you, I’ll say goodnight.’

Leaning over, he kissed her, his mouth brushing hers lightly, seductively. Then, his lips tracing the soft underside of her chin and travelling down the creamy column of her throat, he whispered, ‘Unless you’ve changed your mind about sharing my bed?’

Feeling as though she was drowning in honey, she struggled against the temptation to say she had. Though she couldn’t remember anything about it, she was no longer a virgin, so what had she got to lose?

Her self-respect, that was what! And it was important to her. Last night she had been drunk and unable to help herself, but tonight she was stone cold sober and responsible for her actions.

‘I want to make love to you,’ he murmured softly, while his hands found the soft curves of her breasts and the firming nipples beneath the thin satin of her nightdress, ‘I want to sleep with you in my arms, to wake to find you beside me and make love to you all over again…Tell me you want it, too…’

Her lips moved, but no sound came.

‘Tell me,’ he insisted.

‘I can’t!’ It was almost a sob. ‘I can’t…’

‘Why can’t you? I know you want me. Your whole body’s telling me so.’

‘I’ve never…’ She swallowed hard, then went on desperately, ‘I’ve never gone in for one-night stands or casual sex and I don’t want to start now.’

He frowned a little. ‘Who said anything about a one-night stand or casual sex? Neither the way I feel about you, nor my intentions are in any way casual.’

His words held a ring of truth and her heart leapt. If it really was true, it altered everything.

Then common sense told her not to be foolish. How could he feel anything for her when they’d only known each other for twenty-four hours?

But why couldn’t he?

What she felt for him, whether she called it infatuation or falling in love, was anything but casual. In fact it was so strong, so overwhelming, it made anything she had felt for Kevin fade into insignificance.