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the first could never work. The only real solace and satisfaction to be had in life was in his work. No woman, no matter how soft, feminine and lovely, could bring him more happiness and fulfilment than that. He might indulge his need for sex and companionship from time to time, but that was all.
    Moving away from where Jenny lay peacefully sleeping, in case he was tempted to meander into the realms of such pointless fantasy again, he rubbed his palm round his unshaven jaw with a scowl. Reaching the window, he swept the curtain aside to see the faint pink and gold light of dawn edging the horizon. Hovering over the smooth glass of the sea, it was a sublime sight. A sight surely worth missing out on a night’s sleep for… It didn’t happen very often that he did that. The strict routine he adhered to didn’t factor in long, soulful glances at charming scenery.
    ‘Rodrigo?’
    ‘Sí?’
    He spun round with a jolt to find Jenny throwing back the covers and lifting her legs out of the bed.
    ‘What time is it?’
    ‘Just after seven a.m. Where do you think you’re going?’
    Reaching her side, Rodrigo frowned deeply. To his surprise she kept her head bowed and he sensed she was embarrassed.
    ‘I—I need the bathroom.’
    ‘Let me help you.’
    ‘I can manage.’
    But even as she strove to rise to her feet he saw that she was trembling like some fragile birch leaf in the wind. It was clear she was still feverish, and far from recovered.
    ‘I disagree.’ His tone strongly disapproving, Rodrigo had no hesitation in scooping her up into his arms and marching into the bathroom. Through the paper-thin cotton of her nightgown her body heat all but scorched him. There was no way on earth that she’d be fit enough to run her friend’s guesethouse for a good few days yet. He also knew he wouldn’t or couldn’t leave her stranded. His scheduled business meeting would just have to be postponed again. No doubt his contractors would be relieved to have the extra time to get things ready for the boss’s inspection.
    Switching on the light, Rodrigo carefully stood Jenny down in the middle of the floor. And, because he couldn’t resist, he gently moved a few tousled strands of corn-gold silk back from her face. ‘I will be waiting right outside the door to help you back to bed,’ he told her. The unsullied crystal of her huge blue eyes reminded him of an Andalucian mountain lake, caressed by sunlight. His stomach rolled over at the sight.
    ‘Okay…’
    When she emerged from the room a few minutes later Rodrigo once again swept her up into his arms to carry her back to bed. As she settled back under the covers Jenny’s expression was forlorn. ‘I’m so embarrassed that I’ve let you do all this for me that I almost don’t know what to say to you.’
    ‘Were you well last night?’
    ‘No, but—’
    ‘Are you feeling any better today?’
    ‘No…But I still—’
    ‘Is there someone—some friend, family member or even a neighbour I can ring—who will come and take care of you for the next few days?’
    Rodrigo didn’t miss the flash of despair in her eyes. ‘Not that I can think of…no…’
    ‘Then there is nothing else for you to do but go back to sleep. I am here, and will remain so until such time as you are able to get back on your feet and go about your business as normal. If anyone rings to make a reservation then I’ll simply tell them we are closed until you are better.’
    ‘But what about your work? You came down here for a meeting, didn’t you?’
    ‘It is easy enough to delay for another day or two.’
    ‘You would do that for me?’
    ‘I know you find that hard to believe but, yes, Jenny…I would. ’
    ‘Even so, I can’t let you, Rodrigo.’
    ‘You have no say in the matter. It’s my own decision. No one is forcing me to do anything I don’t want to do—least of all you.’
    ‘I feel so useless.’ Her pretty mouth struggling with emotion, she looked as if she might cry.
    Still