Read Online The Bedroom Barter by Sara Craven - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sara Craven
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up rested and no longer scared stiff. And sooner or later she's going to start thinking, and wondering about things—like how I happened to turn up so conveniently to rescue her. She's going to ask questions."
'Then let us hope we reach St Hilaire before you have to provide any of the answers,' Laurent said cheerfully. 'Now, go and fax Victor. Reassure him that all has gone according to plan, and tell him to stay off your back.' He shot Ash a shrewd look. 'Then you should also get some sleep,
mon vieux
. Because, if you are right, you could need all your wits about you tomorrow.'
'Later. I'm not tired yet.' Ash took his coffee over to the leather bench and sat down, watching the silvery water rippling past the bows.
Although that wasn't strictly true, he thought. Now that the mission had been accomplished the tension was seeping out of him, leaving him almost boneless with weariness.
But he wasn't going to bed yet, he decided grimly. Not while there was a chance that he was going to lie awake in the moonlight, seeing a girl's dark head on a pillow and the trace of a tear on her cheek. Remembering the fragrance of her skin, and the sweetness of her mouth when he'd held her for that brief time.
He swore under his breath.
It's time you gave up this game, Brennan, he told himself. You're getting soft in your old age. And that won't do. Because it's not over yet, and the stakes are far too high.
And he sighed soundlessly.
Chellie opened heavy eyelids, blinking at the sunlight pouring into the stateroom. For a moment she felt totally disorientated, then as recollection slowly returned she sat up, stretching and running her fingers through her hair.
She was on
La Belle Rêve
, and Santo Martino with all its horrors was far behind her. And for that she was so thankful.
But it was the immediate future that had to concern her now. What would happen when they arrived at St Hilaire? Her options seemed few, and all equally unattractive.
And the last thing she wanted was to find herself stranded and broke all over again in some other remote spot.
She knelt up on the bed and looked out of the window. There was nothing outside but the vivid unbroken blue of the Caribbean as far as the eye could see.
She had no idea what time it was. Ramon had helped himself to her platinum watch along with everything else, and at the club day and night had seemed to merge into a blur. But the position of the sun told her that she had been asleep for a long time, and it was probably time she put in an appearance on deck.
It was so wonderful to have a proper shower again, she discovered gratefully. To feel the sheer bliss of warm water streaming over her hair and body, and to be able to cherish her skin with scented soap and lotions.
If she only had her own clothes to wear life would be almost perfect. As it was, she had no choice but to borrow once more from the owner's daughter.
I'll use the absolute minimum, she thought And replace every single item as soon as I get the opportunity.
Whenever that will be, she added, biting her lip.
She put on a pair of white cut-offs and a sleeveless jade-green top, thrusting her feet into her own sandals, then, with a certain reluctance, left the stateroom and climbed up the companionway.
She felt frankly awkward about confronting her saviour in the unrelenting light of day. However grateful she might feel, there were inherent difficulties in being under an obligation to a man about whom she knew so little. And to whom she'd found herself so instantly and unwillingly attracted.
Although why she should feel drawn to him she really didn't know. He might have come to her aid when she was in deep trouble, but he hadn't shown her any real sympathy or concern.
In fact, he'd hustled her almost curtly through the streets and on board this boat, as if he was already regretting the impulse which had led to her rescue.
If impulse was what it had been, she thought, and paused, Crowning, at the top of the
'Then let us hope we reach St Hilaire before you have to provide any of the answers,' Laurent said cheerfully. 'Now, go and fax Victor. Reassure him that all has gone according to plan, and tell him to stay off your back.' He shot Ash a shrewd look. 'Then you should also get some sleep,
mon vieux
. Because, if you are right, you could need all your wits about you tomorrow.'
'Later. I'm not tired yet.' Ash took his coffee over to the leather bench and sat down, watching the silvery water rippling past the bows.
Although that wasn't strictly true, he thought. Now that the mission had been accomplished the tension was seeping out of him, leaving him almost boneless with weariness.
But he wasn't going to bed yet, he decided grimly. Not while there was a chance that he was going to lie awake in the moonlight, seeing a girl's dark head on a pillow and the trace of a tear on her cheek. Remembering the fragrance of her skin, and the sweetness of her mouth when he'd held her for that brief time.
He swore under his breath.
It's time you gave up this game, Brennan, he told himself. You're getting soft in your old age. And that won't do. Because it's not over yet, and the stakes are far too high.
And he sighed soundlessly.
Chellie opened heavy eyelids, blinking at the sunlight pouring into the stateroom. For a moment she felt totally disorientated, then as recollection slowly returned she sat up, stretching and running her fingers through her hair.
She was on
La Belle Rêve
, and Santo Martino with all its horrors was far behind her. And for that she was so thankful.
But it was the immediate future that had to concern her now. What would happen when they arrived at St Hilaire? Her options seemed few, and all equally unattractive.
And the last thing she wanted was to find herself stranded and broke all over again in some other remote spot.
She knelt up on the bed and looked out of the window. There was nothing outside but the vivid unbroken blue of the Caribbean as far as the eye could see.
She had no idea what time it was. Ramon had helped himself to her platinum watch along with everything else, and at the club day and night had seemed to merge into a blur. But the position of the sun told her that she had been asleep for a long time, and it was probably time she put in an appearance on deck.
It was so wonderful to have a proper shower again, she discovered gratefully. To feel the sheer bliss of warm water streaming over her hair and body, and to be able to cherish her skin with scented soap and lotions.
If she only had her own clothes to wear life would be almost perfect. As it was, she had no choice but to borrow once more from the owner's daughter.
I'll use the absolute minimum, she thought And replace every single item as soon as I get the opportunity.
Whenever that will be, she added, biting her lip.
She put on a pair of white cut-offs and a sleeveless jade-green top, thrusting her feet into her own sandals, then, with a certain reluctance, left the stateroom and climbed up the companionway.
She felt frankly awkward about confronting her saviour in the unrelenting light of day. However grateful she might feel, there were inherent difficulties in being under an obligation to a man about whom she knew so little. And to whom she'd found herself so instantly and unwillingly attracted.
Although why she should feel drawn to him she really didn't know. He might have come to her aid when she was in deep trouble, but he hadn't shown her any real sympathy or concern.
In fact, he'd hustled her almost curtly through the streets and on board this boat, as if he was already regretting the impulse which had led to her rescue.
If impulse was what it had been, she thought, and paused, Crowning, at the top of the
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