rise with them. “You go on up and have an early night.”
“If you’re sure?” Tamsyn said, looking up at her brother and then across at Isobel.
“I can make my own way,” Isobel said quickly. “The path is well lit and it’s a beautiful evening.”
“I wouldn’t think of letting you walk back alone on your first night,” Ethan said smoothly, closing the distance between them and gesturing to the French doors that led outside to the massive wraparound decking.
Once they were a short distance from the house Ethan drew to a halt.
“What are you playing at?” he asked in a steely tone.
“Playing?”
“Why didn’t you tell me last night that you were coming here?”
Isobel gave a humorless laugh. “Because I didn’t know this was your home. I didn’t catch your surname over the noise in the bar and I really didn’t think it mattered enough to ask.”
“It matters. I want you to leave. Make up some excuse in the morning and just go. I’ll cover your costs.”
“Wow, that’s good of you, especially since you probably have no idea of what I charge,” Isobel said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. “But I think you’re forgetting something. I am a professional and I’ve entered into a contract with The Masters to provide my services. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“I’m sure there’s an out clause in there somewhere. Look, I’ll even pay a premium on top of your fee.”
“What makes you think I’m so desperate for money that I’d do what you’re asking?”
“For goodness’ sake, you live out of a backpack and, by your own admission last night, you don’t own anything of real value. Of course you want the money.”
Her pride stung at his arrogance. Was this the real Ethan Masters? How could he be so different from the man she’d spent last night with?
“Look, I’m more than happy to stay out of your way but my contract is with Tamsyn and her marketing division, and I always honor my contracts.”
He took a step closer and instantly her senses were flooded with the warmth emanating from his body, and the discreet lightly wooded scent he wore. She inhaled it without thinking and her body went on full alert—her nipples tightening, her breasts feeling full and heavy and aching for his touch. Heat gathered low down in her body. God, even at his condescending worst she was attracted to him. How pathetic was that?
“But that’s part of the problem, isn’t it, Isobel? You won’t be able to stay out of my way—and more than that, you won’t be able to stay out of Tamsyn’s way.”
She had been turned away from him slightly, refusing to meet his dark eyes as she stared at a point in the fragrant garden just beyond them, but her surprise at this turned her eyes back to lock with his.
“What’s wrong with me interacting with Tamsyn? You’re a grown man—even if she finds out that we spent the night together, why would she care?”
“I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about you sharing my confidences in you with Tamsyn.”
Again she felt the stinging barbs of his words. Isobel drew in a steadying breath and faced him full on.
“Ah, so you haven’t told your sister yet? Don’t you think you ought to? She deserves to know.”
“That’s for me to decide. Look, I barely know you, I don’t know if I can trust you, or if I even want to.”
“Well, that’s just a risk you’re going to have to take, isn’t it?”
She turned and stepped away, determined that was the end of their conversation, but warm fingers caught at her hand and tugged her back toward him. Fiery tendrils of desire wound their way through her body.
“I’m warning you, Isobel. I’m not a man to be tangled with. Do not disclose any of what I told you to my sister.”
Isobel yanked her hand loose, absently rubbing it with her other hand in a vain attempt to wipe away the lingering sensation of his touch.
“And I’m not the kind of woman who responds well to
“If you’re sure?” Tamsyn said, looking up at her brother and then across at Isobel.
“I can make my own way,” Isobel said quickly. “The path is well lit and it’s a beautiful evening.”
“I wouldn’t think of letting you walk back alone on your first night,” Ethan said smoothly, closing the distance between them and gesturing to the French doors that led outside to the massive wraparound decking.
Once they were a short distance from the house Ethan drew to a halt.
“What are you playing at?” he asked in a steely tone.
“Playing?”
“Why didn’t you tell me last night that you were coming here?”
Isobel gave a humorless laugh. “Because I didn’t know this was your home. I didn’t catch your surname over the noise in the bar and I really didn’t think it mattered enough to ask.”
“It matters. I want you to leave. Make up some excuse in the morning and just go. I’ll cover your costs.”
“Wow, that’s good of you, especially since you probably have no idea of what I charge,” Isobel said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. “But I think you’re forgetting something. I am a professional and I’ve entered into a contract with The Masters to provide my services. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“I’m sure there’s an out clause in there somewhere. Look, I’ll even pay a premium on top of your fee.”
“What makes you think I’m so desperate for money that I’d do what you’re asking?”
“For goodness’ sake, you live out of a backpack and, by your own admission last night, you don’t own anything of real value. Of course you want the money.”
Her pride stung at his arrogance. Was this the real Ethan Masters? How could he be so different from the man she’d spent last night with?
“Look, I’m more than happy to stay out of your way but my contract is with Tamsyn and her marketing division, and I always honor my contracts.”
He took a step closer and instantly her senses were flooded with the warmth emanating from his body, and the discreet lightly wooded scent he wore. She inhaled it without thinking and her body went on full alert—her nipples tightening, her breasts feeling full and heavy and aching for his touch. Heat gathered low down in her body. God, even at his condescending worst she was attracted to him. How pathetic was that?
“But that’s part of the problem, isn’t it, Isobel? You won’t be able to stay out of my way—and more than that, you won’t be able to stay out of Tamsyn’s way.”
She had been turned away from him slightly, refusing to meet his dark eyes as she stared at a point in the fragrant garden just beyond them, but her surprise at this turned her eyes back to lock with his.
“What’s wrong with me interacting with Tamsyn? You’re a grown man—even if she finds out that we spent the night together, why would she care?”
“I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about you sharing my confidences in you with Tamsyn.”
Again she felt the stinging barbs of his words. Isobel drew in a steadying breath and faced him full on.
“Ah, so you haven’t told your sister yet? Don’t you think you ought to? She deserves to know.”
“That’s for me to decide. Look, I barely know you, I don’t know if I can trust you, or if I even want to.”
“Well, that’s just a risk you’re going to have to take, isn’t it?”
She turned and stepped away, determined that was the end of their conversation, but warm fingers caught at her hand and tugged her back toward him. Fiery tendrils of desire wound their way through her body.
“I’m warning you, Isobel. I’m not a man to be tangled with. Do not disclose any of what I told you to my sister.”
Isobel yanked her hand loose, absently rubbing it with her other hand in a vain attempt to wipe away the lingering sensation of his touch.
“And I’m not the kind of woman who responds well to
Similar Books
