Page 76 of Bride Under Contract

CHAPTER ELEVEN

IT WAS THE scent rather than the sound of Carter coming out of the shower that awoke Grace.

She knew his scents now.

He worked hard for his millions—or billions—and at the end of his working day there was just the last trace of bergamot on his jaw, and the masculine scent of Carter as he peeled off his shirt.

Possibly that was the one she loved the most.

Even so, the heady mixture of clean male, deodorant, and his sexy cologne was such a potent hit to the olfactory system that Grace was smiling even as she opened her eyes.

She thought of their lovemaking last night and lay watching as he pulled on his shirt and suit. He was clearly trying not to wake her, because he sat on a bedroom chair to put on his shoes, but then he must have seen her watching him.

‘You’re awake,’ he said.

‘It’s early.’ She frowned, peering at the time.

‘I’ve got a flight at six.’

‘You never said.’

‘Didn’t I?’ He paused, then slipped on his second shoe. ‘I thought I told you I had to go to Janana?’

He wasn’t used to giving times and dates to anyone other than Ms Hill, who then did her usual magic with his schedule, but even so he was certain he’d mentioned it.

‘The council’s meeting. We have to make some last-minute changes to the plans.’

‘For the palace?’

‘That’s right.’

It blew her mind that he was working on the restorations for some ancient palace while she was filling her days with designers and having her hair straightened, her nails or make-up done.

‘When will you be back?’ she asked.

‘Depends.’

Carter moved his luggage out of the bedroom suite.

Seeing Grace stretch was like watching a flower open, or seeing how the giant ferns at the river edge unfurled.

But he didn’t like the way his mind kept drifting to the river, and he kept waiting for boredom to kick in, for her to annoy him.

For her to stop creeping into his heart.

‘You look tired,’ she commented.

‘No,’ he disagreed, even though he knew he looked like hell. ‘You’ve got Ms Hill’s details. Any problems that Guest Services can’t handle just call her.’

‘Why can’t I just call you? What if I—?’

‘Grace.’ He halted her right then and there. ‘I’ve told you I don’t take unscheduled calls during working hours. If there’re any issues while I’m away then call Ms Hill, because you won’t be able to get hold of me.’

She was tempted to ask, Am I to tell Ms Hill if I get my period? But she just lay back on the pillow, telling herself she wasn’t even late yet.

He snapped on his heavy watch and frowned when he saw the time. ‘There won’t be any internet,’ he told her. ‘At least not if we go into the desert.’

‘I thought it was just the palace?’

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