‘Have you got a condom?’ she blurted out.

His eyes widened as if in surprise at her change of subject. Then they took on that heavy-lidded look that made her forget she’d just orgasmed. How did he do that? ‘Several.’

‘Several? Are you always so well prepared?’

‘Since meeting you, I’m always prepared.’

She felt her eyes widen at his smug expression. Was he serious?

‘You don’t believe me?’ Adam shook his head as if disappointed. ‘Ever since that first day.’ He spoke slowly, enunciating every word. ‘Every time we’ve been together I’ve been prepared.’

She tried to scrounge up indignation but got stuck on amazement.

‘You really thought, from that first day, that I’d—’

He pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her words, and she inhaled the scent of sex and Adam and her own climax. She trembled, strung out by the reality of what she’d done and was about to do with him.

Nerves and excitement filled her.

‘I don’t mean I thought you’d fall into bed with me. Far from it. But I knew whatIwanted from the beginning.You, Gisèle.’ He let that hang between them. ‘Of course I’ve been prepared. I knew eventually you’d recognise what was between us.’

Sex, he meant. Nothing more.

At least this had nothing to do with the business deal. Or the company. Or even the arranged marriage.

Gisèle should be reeling. Instead something inside steadied, realising he was right. This had been inevitable.

Yet she had to reiterate, still stunned. ‘You wanted me sinceNice?’

He nodded. ‘You have no idea how much. You turned up at that meeting, so sexy and alluring in that jacket and skirt.’

She frowned. ‘My business clothes aren’t alluring. They’re serious and professional.’

Adam grinned and her heart flip-flopped. ‘Your clothes might be serious and professional but they can’t hide the sultry woman underneath. I find it arousing imagining what you wear underneath those serious clothes.’ His gaze flicked to the line of her bodice. ‘Or don’t wear.’

Gisèle’s breath was a shocked hiss. He was serious, she read it in his dancing eyes.

That excited her. Her as afemme fatale? He was delusional but she didn’t care. She’d take the compliment and enjoy it.

Right now she was enjoying the way Adam looked at her, with a hungry gleam, as if trying to decide where to start.

A frisson of trepidation made her shiver. She was in uncharted territory. But she liked the idea of being sexy and seductive. Wielding a feminine power that made Adam carry protection, just in case.

She placed her hand on his cheek, feeling the friction of beard growth, a reminder of his potent masculinity.

‘Maybe it’s time to get out that condom.’

‘And it’s past time we took this to a bed.’

They deserved more than the cramped confines of a couch.

Besides, he needed time to shore up his control. He was close to the edge and didn’t want to spend himself prematurely. He’d waited so long for Gisèle, he intended to enjoy every moment.

Watching her come, hearing those soft gasps of wonder and feeling her shudder in ecstasy, had been too arousing. Satisfying too, as if her pleasure were his.

Even if it left him stiffer and needier than ever.

Adam stood and scooped her into his arms. She was all warm femininity and slippery satin. Her throat and collarbone were flushed. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves around her bare shoulders and that slit in her skirt opened over one pale thigh, like an invitation to Paradise.