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Her pulse shivered with excitement. ‘Where do you have in mind?’
He smiled slowly and her heart contracted sharply with pity for any poor woman who might truly love Rollo. With beauty and charm like his, it was easy to forget his ruthless determination. But, looking up into his smooth, handsome face, she knew he would always be one step ahead of her. And she would be exactly where he wanted her to be.
‘I have a small cabin upstate—in the Adirondacks. It’s a bit rough and ready, but what do you think? You and me in the wilderness together?’
It sounded like a question, except she knew he didn’t expect or need a reply. But as heat uncoiled inside her, she lifted her mouth to his and gave him her answer.
* * *
‘I should warn you there are bears in the woods. Black bears. They’re a lot smaller than grizzlies, and they rarely bother humans, but you should be careful just the same.’
Leaning forward, Rollo picked up his coffee cup. Having arrived at Mohawk Lodge just twenty minutes earlier, they were relaxing in front of a panoramic view of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains beyond. In the distance the forest looked like the setting for a fairy tale but Daisy barely noticed the view.
She was still reeling from the trip in his private helicopter. Or rather, the way Rollo had held her hand during the entire flight, his leg pressing against hers, his mouth temptingly close as he pointed out landmarks and filled her in on the history of the region.
She nodded, then frowned. ‘Did you say bears?’
He put his cup down carefully, his eyes narrowing.
‘What’s up?’
‘Nothing.’ She met his gaze, then sighed. ‘I just didn’t realise your whole life was like this.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like... So amazing.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t really think about it.’
‘I suppose you get used to it,’ she said slowly.
But somehow she couldn’t imagine a life in which owning a helicopter and a lakeside cabin would ever be anything other than incredible. It was another reminder of the differences between them.
But right now she needed to concentrate on what they shared, not on what they didn’t, and, putting her cup down, she said brightly, ‘So how about that guided tour you promised me?’
The cabin was delightful. Set in seventy-five acres of unspoilt meadows and forest, it was built of timber and stone but it shared the same high-spec luxury as the penthouse. And letting Rollo show her around had been the right decision. As they walked outside onto the deck, where a swing bed swayed gently in the warm breeze, her stomach tumbled over with happiness as she felt his hand close around hers.
‘So, do you fancy a swim?’
She frowned. ‘I don’t know. What’s the water like?’ she said cautiously.
‘Probably quite mild.’
Glancing up at his face, she rolled her eyes. ‘I might need a second opinion before I whip out my bikini. I’m not entirely sure I trust your judgement.’
Lifting her hand, he tipped it sideways so that the stones in the ring caught the light.
‘I thought you liked your ring.’
‘I do.’ She pinched his fingers playfully. ‘I was talking about this place. You said it was a “small cabin.”’ Glancing inside at the huge stone fireplace and vaulted, beamed ceiling, she shook her head. ‘“A bit rough and ready,” you said. I was expecting bare floors and no electricity.’
Not a soaking tub and a French chef.
Looking up, she fell silent. He was staring at her steadily, eyes dark and unblinking, and then he tugged her towards him and she clutched at his arms as her legs seemed to slide away.
‘I can do rough,’ he murmured and, lowering his head, he brushed his mouth across hers. Fingers splaying around her waist, he pulled her closer, his breath warm against her throat. ‘And I’m certainly ready.’
Her head was spinning... Her body melting like wax near a flame.
