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‘That was not meant to be a compliment.’
‘I’m taking it as one. Let me know when you’ve had enough of infuriation and I’ll gladly leave you in peace.’
‘You know that can’t happen. Not unless a miracle happens and your tour agency suddenly reopens.’
‘Is there any chance of that?’
‘That’s where the miracle would come in. Until then, it appears you are stuck with me and I am stuck with you.’
‘Lucky us.’
He ground his teeth together before he could answer. ‘Lucky is not exactly the way I would put it.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
SHE WAS MORE than infuriating. She was exasperating. You’d think she could be grateful that she wasn’t left on the streets with nowhere to go and no roof over her head. You’d think she’d show a little bit of gratitude.
Oh no.
He let her precede him into the apartment and watched the wiggle and roll of her hips as she walked past and added another adjective to describe her.
Maddening.
He must have been mad to have ever got himself involved. But those red jeans and those blue eyes and that smile that had lit up a marketplace—yes, it was a kind of madness. There was no other excuse.
And now, unless her insurance company could do something quickly—and realistically what chance of that was there when she would have to submit claims and no doubt wait weeks before she could expect any kind of pay-out?—he was stuck with her red jeans and blue eyes and electric smile.
Stuck with having her in his bed every night and waking to her every morning.
Madness.
He didn’t do every night and every morning with any woman.
He watched her put her bag down and strip off her leather jacket, liking the way her sweater hugged her breasts exactly the way he wanted to.
So maybe it wasn’t all bad. Last night had been too short, and it was only a few nights.
A few nights and he would be more than happy to let her go.
A few nights shouldn’t cause any problems.
Because she was still a tourist.
She still had her return flights booked.
She was still temporary, just not as temporary as he’d first thought.
So maybe it wasn’t perfect, but at least it wouldn’t be a complete loss.
* * *
There was no joy for Amber when she called the travel insurance emergency line from the bedroom of Kadar’s apartment. No joy at all. Only more grief.
She sat on the edge of the bed as she terminated the connection and swallowed back on an unfamiliar urge to cry. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried. Certainly not after she’d walked in on Cameron and Chanille. She’d been too shocked and white hot with rage to cry then.
But now the prick of tears was all too close.
She’d thought the insurance company might be able to offer some emergency assistance as their policy had advertised. Maybe a little cash to go on with. Maybe even help her find an alternative tour company that might offer her credit pending her insurance claim pay-out.
Except there would be no pay-out. Because the tour company she’d booked with had lost its accreditation and was no longer recognised and therefore not covered under the terms of her insurance policy.
She should have read the small print, they’d oh, so kindly but belatedly suggested.
So she’d lost her money and there would be no pay-out.
No alternative tour.
Not even an early return home because her travel plans had been stymied.
Which meant just one thing.
Kadar wouldn’t let her out of his sight until her return flights home.
Unless...
* * *
He was hanging up on his own phone call when she headed into the living room. His eyes searched her face. ‘Well?’
She licked her lips and smiled weakly, thinly, knowing it was probably mad but it was a chance because it would solve all their problems. ‘I don’t suppose you might loan me a couple of thousand US dollars?’
He didn’t so much as blink. His gaze didn’t waver. ‘The insurance company offered you no help?’
‘The tour agency lost its accreditation six months ago.’
‘So that’s it?’
‘Yeah, that’s it. And so I thought, maybe you could loan me some money and I’ll sign up for another tour. It’s the low season. Someone is sure to have a space. And I could be off your hands as early as tomorrow.’
‘And this is your solution?’
