Page 42 of Bound By Her Baby Revelation (Hot Winter Escapes)

Kaya cleared her throat when the last of the breakfast had been eaten. ‘I guess we should have this conversation about the way forward you talked about.’

‘Not yet.’

‘But...’

‘Like I said, I want to show you the island. It’s hot now. It’s going to get hotter still. It’ll be pleasant being outside. Did you bring a swimsuit?’

‘No!’

‘No problem. There are some pretty good shops in the town.’

‘Leo, I don’t plan on staying long enough to get in the sea.’

Leo shrugged and decided that with a little persuasion she might find herself changing her mind. Dark eyes briefly rested on her with brooding intensity, and he saw the slow curl of colour that spread into her cheeks and the way her eyes skittered away. He noted the jumpiness of a woman who still wanted to touch him, was still attracted to him. She’d eventually pulled back, the evening before when he’d touched her, but only eventually.

‘We can spend the day out, have a look around...visit a couple of the beaches. This place is known for its pink sands—something to do with tiny organisms that attach to the coral in the sea. And of course for its architecture—very New England, but with a backdrop of palm trees and flowers you’d never get in New England itself. You’ll like it. Have you ever been to this part of the world?’

‘Leo...’

‘Trust me, there won’t be any pressure from me for you to revisit my proposal. This is just an attempt for us to discuss the situation as...friends.’

‘Friends...’

‘Exactly. You have to admit, we haven’t had a problem getting along. Why adopt a hostile stance because of what’s happened? Much better to approach this situation amicably.’

‘Okay...’

‘Excellent!’ He dumped the dishes in the sink and then remained there, leaning against the counter with his arms folded. ‘I have a couple of things to do on the work front. Should take about an hour. Explore the grounds! And... I’ll meet you by the front door in an hour and a half?’

Kaya nodded.

She had the weirdest feeling that she was suddenly trying to balance on quicksand, although she had to admit that he was being as charming, fair and gentlemanly about the whole thing than she could ever have hoped. Even after she’d fallen into his arms the evening before, like a starving person in the presence of food, he had remained amicable and fair and hadn’t reminded her of her temporary weakness.

Because he was essentially a great guy... Why else had she fallen for him?

Which made her think of those women who would soon be auditioning for the role of wife.

It was an uneasy thought, and she pushed it away and blinked as he walked her to the kitchen door, smiling and turning down her offer to tidy the kitchen since he had work to do, and instead ushering her to the French doors at the back which led out to the gardens she had enjoyed earlier from her bedroom window.

And then she was left on her own.

‘If you need me—’ he pointed to a vague point away from the kitchen to the side ‘—the room I use as my office is there. Feel free to disturb me.’

Then he’d smiled that crooked, sexy smile that did crazy things to her body and headed off, leaving her to her own devices.

Off to start cutting and pasting adverts for a suitable wife, Kaya thought sourly. She’d noticed that marriage chat had hit the buffers. He certainly hadn’t spent long pursuing that line.

She explored the grounds and just about managed to cling on to her determination to be detached about what was happening and not be swayed by seductive talk about marriage. There was a pool to the side. It was cleverly done to blend in with the tropical scenery, and at first glance almost seemed to be part of the landscape with its rich overhang of trees, and a rock pool set at just the right height to tumble as a small waterfall into the turquoise depths.

With the sun getting higher and hotter, Kaya longed to dive in. Instead, she took her time exploring everywhere. The enormous lawns with little clusters of seating here and there under shady trees, and then that tantalising glimpse of sea and the faint rumble of waves.

Leo was waiting for her when, at the appointed time, she headed for the front door, much hotter than she had been an hour and a half previously.

He was wearing loafers and looked cool and relaxed, hands shoved into the pockets of loose, cotton trousers and the same tee-shirt he had been wearing earlier.

‘You look hot,’ was the first thing he murmured as he ushered her through the front door and towards a small four-wheel drive which she hadn’t noticed when she’d first arrived. His hand, lightly resting on the small of her back, made her feel even hotter than she already was.

‘I...’ She ducked quickly into the passenger seat and smoothed her dress down as she waited for him to join her. ‘I hadn’t realised how hot it would be here. A different kind of heat to summers at home.’

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