Bound by Their Love Read online

  ‘Good afternoon, Sir. Madam. Table for two?’ The hostess asked—the epitome of professionalism.

  ‘Yes, please.’ He responded to her question.

  ‘I have the perfect table for you, if you’d care to follow me.’

  Jeffrey once again cupped Greta’s arm, and followed the hostess through the restaurant. He was pleased when they were led to a quiet table in the corner, the perfect place to conduct a seduction over lunch. He held out Greta’s chair. Once he saw her seated, he took his own.

  ‘Your server will be with you shortly,’ the hostess said as she placed menus in front of them. ‘Enjoy your meal.’

  Greta wanted to call the hostess back, requesting they be moved to a table in the middle of the room. Normally she had no problem being seated away from the main crowd. In fact, she preferred it, but this man ... This Jeff was creating havoc with her ability to keep her mind totally focused on her job. And she didn’t like it one little bit.

  Determined not to remember how his lips felt against hers. Or the way they still tingled long after the kiss had ended. She picked up the menu.

  ‘If you like seafood, the shrimp scampi is good.’

  Jeff’s voice washed over her like the water brushing up against the jetty. He should come with a warning—his lips and voice were lethal weapons. She wouldn’t mind sampling his lips again. Or even letting them work their way all over her body. Work that shirt off those wide shoulders, run her hand over his chest to find out if it was as hard as it looked.

  The temptation to fan herself with the menu was strong. It was either that or walk around to his side of the table and …

  Stop it! Greta slammed the door on the X-rated thoughts taking over her mind.

  She was here to work, not sleep with a random stranger. This new account was the most important account of her career. She needed to come up with a kick-arse campaign to oust Graham. Fantasising about how much she’d like to get to know Jeff and everything hidden beneath his clothes wouldn’t achieve that.

  She perused the menu, not really reading what was listed. ‘Is there anything else you can recommend?’

  Greta looked up and caught the gleam in his eyes. Somehow she knew his next recommendation wasn’t going to be something from the menu. ‘Food-wise, I mean.’

  He laughed. ‘Everything on the menu is good.’

  The waiter returned at that moment and they placed their orders. Greta had decided to take Jeff’s advice and have the shrimp dish. His sexy smile hit her right between the eyes and she grabbed the glass of iced water, taking a sip to try and cool herself down.

  Once she felt more in control, she looked back at him. ‘So, Jeff, what do you do for a living?’

  It was a nice neutral question. One she’d ask any lunch or dinner companion. She really wanted to know what he was doing in a gift shop at a pearl farm all by himself. Was he a guest at the Orchard Hill Resort like she was? The thought of taking him back to her room, or his, filled her mind. Visions of losing herself in his arms playing like a vivid motion picture in her mind.

  ‘This and that.’

  His noncommittal reply surprised her. Her puzzlement increased when he reached into his pocket and pulled his sunglasses out and put them on.

  ‘Why did you do that?’

  ‘What?’

  She huffed out a breath. ‘Really, you’re going to go there? You’re going to play dumb? You just put your sunglasses on inside a restaurant where the sun isn’t exactly blazing through the windows. So I ask again—why did you do that?’

  ‘Habit.’

  That was his answer? It was a habit to put his sunglasses on while he’s having lunch with someone? He may be sexy and he may be mysterious but enough was enough. She didn’t need to be treated like she was a bad smell and he didn’t want to be around her anymore.

  Was she overreacting? Possibly?

  The whole situation was out of the ordinary. Usually she kept her emotions at bay. Any potential sexual encounter with a man she undertook in a logical manner. Never before had she experienced an attraction to a man be so intense and so instant. It scared her. She needed to get away.

  She put her napkin on the table, pushed her chair back and stood. ‘I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want to have lunch with you.’

  Greta collected her purse and walked out. Not looking back, though she could feel his eyes on her back willing her to turn around. It was for the best. She had a feeling, deep in her soul, the longer she spent in Jeff’s orbit the more inclined she’d be to forget all about the real reason she was visiting the resort. No man, no matter how good looking, had ever swayed her from her goals. There was no way Greta was going to allow Jeff Court to be the first.

  Chapter 3

  ‘Mr Courteux, is everything all right? Will your companion be back?’ The waiter rushed up to the table.

  ‘Yes, everything’s fine and I’m afraid my companion won’t be back.’ He stood and threw some money down on the table. He needed to get out of the restaurant. ‘Can you cancel our lunch orders please?’

  ‘Certainly, sir.’

  Grateful he had his glasses on, he walked out of the restaurant, ignoring the questioning glances from the other patrons. He’d never had a date walk out on him before. Then again, he didn’t usually act like a jerk.

  Damn, he had really wanted to get to know her; but when she asked him what he did for a living, he shut down. He usually led the conversation when he spent time with a woman. He made sure the conversation steered clear of his occupation. He never asked where they worked. It made it clear there was an understanding between them, that sharing personal information was out. None of the women seemed to mind.

  But Greta, she came straight out and asked. He had no time to prepare and so he did what he always did when he wanted to keep his private life private. He put his glasses on. It wasn’t a lie when he told Greta it was a habit. His glasses were a great foil for keeping people at a distance.

  Jeff stepped out into the sunshine and contemplated where to go next. He could get into his car and drive back home, but the thought of being alone didn’t appeal. Instead he headed toward the jetty that cut a path between the middle of the oyster farm. Maybe a walk would clear his head.

  He looked up as he reached it. Standing about a third of the way down the jetty was Greta. She was leaning out over the railing, as if trying to see the magic of a pearl being formed below the surface.

  There had to be a reason for him to keep crossing paths with her. This time he wouldn’t be a jerk. This time he wouldn’t shut down on her. This time he wouldn’t let her go.

  Jeff walked toward her slowly, thoughts of what he was going to say flowing through his mind.

  ‘Hi,’ he said softly. A need to reach out and touch her dark hair, twirl the strands around his fingers to see if it was as soft and silky as it looked, nearly overwhelmed him.

  She turned to face him. With her sunglasses on he couldn’t see what was going on behind her eyes. Now he knew how annoying it was for her when he put the glasses. ‘What do you want?’

  A chuckle escaped him at her response. Jeff didn’t need to see her eyes. He knew they’d be firing sparks at him. Her reaction was exactly as he expected it to be. No way would she be excited to see him again.

  ‘I want to apologise for how I acted earlier. I’m sorry, Greta.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she nodded and turned back to look out over the ocean. A soft breeze blew, lifting the strands, tempting him to give into his earlier impulse to touch them.

  ‘Can we start over?’

  ‘What would be the point? I’m leaving in a day or two. I don’t need the complication in my life right now.’

  Jeff took a couple of steps forward, until he was standing next to her. The wind, it seemed, knew what he wanted and blew a skein of her hair into his face. He softly looped it around his fingers. Just as he’d thought, it was soft and the subtle fragrance of flowers wafted up to him. He wanted to lean closer, until his mouth was touchin
g her sweet skin.

  ‘I don’t need complications in my life either.’ Somehow he’d closed the distance and was so near her neck. Her scent was intoxicating. He wanted to nuzzle and nip the curve where her neck met her shoulders, hear her gasp, soothe with his tongue. ‘I don’t know what’s happening, Greta, but I don’t think I can let you leave without having you.’

  Not waiting for a response from her, Jeff slipped his arms around her so she was encircled in his arms. Keeping one arm anchored around her back, he lifted his glasses, exposing his eyes to her. Letting her see the desire he knew was flaring through him at that moment.

  He hadn’t been lying when he told her he didn’t know what was happening. Feelings of desire so strong were taking control of him, making him throw his normal cautious approach toward women out the window. All he knew was he needed and wanted her.

  ‘I want you, Greta, like I’ve never wanted another woman in my life. Let me have you, even if only for today.’

  She manoeuvred her arms from his hold and placed one hand on his chest. He expected her to push him away. He would be disappointed but would accept her decision. Instead she scrunched his shirt in her hands and tugged him closer, until it would be impossible to slide a piece of tissue paper between them.

  ‘This is insane,’ she whispered, as she lifted her own sunglasses with her free hand. Her hazel eyes blazed with desire. The golden flecks within their depths danced in the sunlight. There was also confusion in their depths. He could appreciate that and he knew he needed to reassure her that everything would be all right.

  ‘I know and I don’t claim to understand it. I do know that if I don’t take this chance, I’ll always wonder “what if”,’ he paused. ‘I live with enough “what ifs” to not want to add another one.’

  He lowered his head and brushed his cheek against hers. The contrast between his lightly stubbled chin against her smooth cheek was indicative of their whole encounter. Smooth against rough. An undeniable friction growing with every passing second they spent together. ‘What do you say? Will you spend the rest of the day with me? Do you want to explore whatever is growing between us?’

  Greta moved her head fractionally and he tightened his hold on her. Her lips brushed his. ‘Yes.’

  On a groan, he captured her lips with his. Her mouth opened immediately beneath his. His body sprang to life at the contact of their tongues meeting. He couldn’t stop it even if he tried. He sunk his fingers into her thick hair, to deepen the contact. Her taste invigorated his soul. Sweet and tempting, like the juiciest strawberry. He wanted to know what she tasted like all over.

  As if reading his thoughts, she pulled her lips away from his. ‘Let’s go back to my hotel room.’

  Jeff nodded immediately, his body aching to sink into hers. To lose himself until the only thought in his mind was her. Not the collection he needed to come up with. Immediately, thoughts of Luc’s request cooled his desire as effectively as a bucket of cold water.

  ‘Is everything okay, Jeff?’

  Her voice hesitant; like she had a horrible feeling he was about to tell her he’d changed his mind. He pushed the troubling thoughts of Luc and the collection away. He would deal with it tomorrow or the next day. Today, this minute and the next few hours were all about him and Greta.

  He leaned down and kissed her again. Just a short kiss, because if he let himself he could easily take her on the jetty in broad daylight, where anyone could walk past. As it was a tour group was making their way down the jetty, heading for where he and Greta were standing.

  Grabbing Greta’s hand, he entwined his fingers with hers. ‘Everything’s great, let’s go.’

  He lowered his sunglasses and turned his head away from the tour group as they walked past. He recognised the tour guide and he didn’t want to risk her revealing his identity to everyone.

  As they walked down the jetty, he wondered if he should let Greta know his true identity. He squashed the thought immediately. They were two ships passing in the night. That’s all they would be. One wild afternoon and evening together and then they’d part and continue on with their lives. Without needing to see each other ever again.

  Chapter 4

  Greta took a deep breath as she switched her car off. She looked to her left and saw Jeff climbing out of his sleek, black BMW. The car suited him—sexy and powerful. Just like him. Unable to take her eyes off him, she followed his movements as he walked around the front of his car toward her. His jacket was off and his blue shirt glowed in the sunlight. The glasses, which had annoyed her in the restaurant, now added to his sex appeal. What would he say if she asked him to keep them on while they made love?

  She jumped as he opened her door.

  ‘Second thoughts?’ he asked as he reached across and unclipped her seatbelt. His arm brushed her breasts, her nipples tightening in response.

  Feeling brazen she reached out and ran a hand down the front of his trousers, feeling the evidence of his desire. ‘No, you?’

  Jeff’s response was to growl low in his throat as he stepped away. The sound travelled down her spine, sending sparks of fire through her nerve endings. ‘You’re playing with fire, Angel.’

  Greta laughed and stepped out of the car, the action bringing her flush against him. ‘Didn’t you know? I like fire. I like the heat and burn of it.’

  ‘Enough.’ Jeff reached past her and closed the door, then pushed her back against the warm metal. ‘I can show you all the fire you want. But I’d prefer to do it without an audience.’ He swooped in, taking her lips in a hard swift kiss. It was over before she could take it any further. He turned and walked away, leaving her panting against her car.

  Giving herself a mental shake, she followed him into the depths of the resort. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the muted light of the lobby after the bright sunshine.

  ‘Where’s your room?’

  ‘This way.’ She grabbed his hand, all but dragging him through the lobby.

  Her villa was close to the main building but it could’ve been ten miles away. The anticipation to have Jeff take her was overwhelming.

  Finally they reached her door. Greta fumbled in her bag looking for where she’d put the key. The purse slipped when Jeff’s arm slid around her stomach, pulling her against him. Through the layers of clothes she could feel his erection. It was impossible to stop the shiver of anticipation shaking through her.

  Her fingers closed over the card and she pulled it out, sliding it into the slot. The green light flared. Jeff’s hand moved from her stomach to the door handle, flinging it down and pushing the door open in one slick movement.

  He propelled her forward before turning her in his arms in a blur of movement so quick she lost her breath.

  ‘I have to have you,’ he said as his hands moved to the zipper of her dress. ‘It’s going to be hard and fast but it will be the ride of your life.’

  She bit her lip against the urge to cry out. Yes, hard and fast. Her purse dropped to the floor with a thump.

  Cool air flowed across her exposed back. With a quick shimmy the dress fell from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. Greta couldn’t help but smile at the hiss of breath coming from Jeff. She was pleased she’d put on her sexy lingerie that morning.

  She bent to take her shoes off.

  ‘Don’t.’

  Greta looked up from beneath her lashes, her hand on the buckle of her sandal. ‘Don’t what?’

  Jeff pulled his shirt from his pants and she caught a glimpse of a lightly tanned stomach. She wanted to see it all. ‘Don’t take your shoes off. Do you have any idea how sexy those shoes are?’

  Greta straightened. His words were unexpected and a little scary. Standing there in only her shoes, bra and panties she felt exposed.

  ‘What?’

  ‘I saw you standing in the gift shop,’ Jeff paused as he divested himself of his shirt, throwing it to the ground. ‘So beautiful and confident. Your dress a powerful colour and your shoes like nothing I’d eve
r seen before. Delicate yet alluring.’

  His explanation didn’t sound sinister, but still she wondered if this was a good idea.

  ‘Oh.’ What else could she say? She’d never had a guy tell her he wanted her because of her shoes.

  A warm hand cupped her cheek. Jeff had moved until he was standing right in front of her. She kept her eyes firmly on his tanned chest.

  Why did this encounter feel so different to all her other ones? Why did it feel like she was about to wade into uncharted waters? Why did all thoughts of work and her career seem so far away?

  Heat emanated from him, warming her front and weakening her knees. He was impossible to resist and she needed to stop trying to make sense of what was happening between them. It was one afternoon.

  ‘Greta,’ he whispered her name. She looked up at him. ‘Fate threw you in my path. I hadn’t planned on going to the pearl farm today, but something compelled me. And that something led me to seeing you.’

  She melted against him, laying her head on his chest. The thumping of his heart beneath her ears reassured her all would be okay.

  Words weren’t needed between them. As if by an unspoken consent, they’d reached an agreement to take things slow. Savour each other and the joy they could bring to one another.

  Jeff’s hands smoothed slow circles on her exposed skin. With each movement the tension within her dissipated, giving her the confidence to take charge.

  Greta turned her head a fraction and kissed his warm flesh. She trailed her lips over his chest, her hands reaching down to the waistband of his trousers. In seconds she had the belt undone and was tackling the button and zipper of his pants. Slowly she lowered the metal tab, her fingers brushing his hard length, her lips now caressing his rough jaw.