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his throatand without another thought he slid both arms beneath her and lifted her onto the bed. Her dress fell readily to the floor, leaving her wearing nothing but a dainty white thong. Her sensationally long bronzed limbs and her gently rounded breasts with their high nipples tempted him beyond reason.
    In a matter of seconds he discarded his own clothes, but it was not until he lay down beside her that he realised how fast his breathing had become.
    Her eyes had never left him. They shone like stars, hugely expressive, telling him that she wanted this as much as he did. He couldn’t believe his fortune that Elena had turned into such a stunning, beautiful, sexy young woman.
    He wanted to make love to her all night through.
    And the best thing about it, Elena was ready for him too.
    Never in her whole life had Elena wanted a man as much as she wanted Vidal now. It was as though the feelings she had suppressed during the last weeks had built into one big crescendo of hunger and need. She was ready for Vidal to make wonderful, magical, intensely exciting love. She was prepared to be swept along on a tide of passion. Let Vidal tease her into making heartracing, blood-pounding, mind-blowing sex.
    Her thong was discarded with the flick of a wrist, his knowing fingers torturing and teasing the secret heart of her until she felt that she was going out of her mind. When she could stand no more, when she felt that Vidal too was reaching a point of no return, he lowered himself over her.
    ‘This is all right for you?’ he asked huskily.
    Was it all right? What a stupid question. She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.
    And yet, even though she was under the impression that she wanted Vidal to make love to her more than anything else, the moment he tried to enter her she froze. It was an entirely involuntary reaction and she couldn’t believe that it was happening, and yet it was and there was nothing she could do about it.
    Her body was telling her that this was not the right thing to do. That having intercourse when she had married this man for reasons other than love was wrong. And yet how could it be when her hormones had been on high alert? When she had even assured Vidal that it was what she desired?
    She had let herself get carried away; her head had ruled her heart. But her heart had known best. If it hadn’t sent out warning signals, stopping her from taking that last step, she would have become Vidal’s in every way possible. It would have been the beginning of twelve months of perfect lovemaking.
    Vidal had everything. Looks, sex appeal, charm, magnetism, dynamism. You name it, he had it. Add to that a keen brain and a ferociously active mind, he was not a man who could be ignored under any circumstances. So why was her body denying herself him?
    She would like to bet that everyone at the bank stood to attention when he entered the room. And his female conquests? They would fall at his feet too. Just as she had done. And even though some totally unexpected part of her brain had suddenly held her back she somehow knew that it would be impossible to keep him at arm’s length for ever.
    ‘Elena, what is wrong?’ he asked concernedly, pulling back at once. ‘Did I hurt you?’
    ‘No, of course you didn’t. I—I don’t know. Vidal. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.’
    She was sorry for both Vidal and herself. Strangely her body still hungered to feel him inside her, to be so close that they became one, to feel his strength and his power, and to overflow with joy when they finally reached their climax.
    But it was not to be. Not tonight anyway. She felt tears trickle down her cheeks and was startled when Vidal swept them away with a gentle finger. ‘Perhaps I was asking too much, too soon. It has been a big day for you. I will wait—until you are ready, querida. We should try to get some sleep.’
    Elena couldn’t believe he was being so understanding. He had been almost at the point of no return. What must