Chapter 45

He caught her glance and flashed a wry little smile. ‘I was considering that situation when you arrived. Should I respect your wishes or should I storm the barricades? I'm relieved not to have to make that decision.'

Storm the barricades... Her heart fluttered at the passion inherent in those words. Could she resist him? Did she want to? They reached the seat and she was careful to keep some distance between them as they sat. There were many questions to be answered and the desire he stirred in her could well be flattened by his replies.

'Okay, here I am. Tell me what this is about for you,' she invited, deliberately evading eye contact with him, fixing her gaze on the nearest rose bed. She could feel his tension vibrating around her, a harnessed aggression that burned under the surface of his control. It increased her own tension and she clung to a calm facade, determinedly hiding her inner turbulence.

She was aware of him leaning forward, resting his elbows on