LITMIR.BIZ

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For my very special Nan, who takes great pride in every book I write (and who introduced me to the wonderful world of Mills & Boon all those years ago!).

      CHAPTER ONE

      ‘I AM NOT getting into that thing!’

      Bria Green glared at the chauffeur, who stared at her with amused detachment like he’d seen it all before, and pointed at the gleaming-black limo parked at the kerb.

      ‘I didn’t ask to be picked up. Who sent you?’

      The chauffeur, simply known as ‘Len’, from his name tag, removed his cap and rubbed at a shiny dome almost as highly polished as his car.

      ‘Look, miss. I’m just doing my job. Your name and flight details were on my list, so here I am. I don’t know who makes the bookings, I just follow instructions.’

      Bria’s anger deflated a tad. It wasn’t this guy’s fault that Daddy dearest was up to his old tricks again.

      ‘Miss?’

      Len held open the door to the limo, and she wavered slightly before a strong waft of spanking-new leather and wood polish hit her like a frigid gust on an icy Melbourne day.

      She hated the smell: rich, pungent, nauseating. The smell she’d grown to hate as a child when she’d been dropped off at the school gates every morning, and had faced the merciless teasing of the other kids for turning up to school in a chauffeured limo.

      Shaking her head, she backed away from the open door like an abseiler having second thoughts about jumping off a cliff.

      ‘No. I can’t. I’m sorry.’

      Len frowned, staring at her with genuine confusion in his crinkly brown eyes.

      ‘But, miss, I’m instructed to take you to the Mansion hotel. It’s my employer’s orders.’

      Taking a deep breath, she clutched her suitcase handle, gripped by an irrational fear that if she released it for one second it would be whisked away and stuffed into the limo’s boot, leaving her no choice but to enter the opulent confines of the car.

      ‘Excuse me, is there a problem here? Do you need some help?’

      Great, just what she needed, some stranger with an upper-class accent poking his nose into her business.

      With her temper rising by the minute, she forced a tight smile and looked up at the man, determined to fob him off, ditch Len and find the nearest taxi to take her to the hotel.

      However, the first part of her plan faltered when her wary gaze met curious dark-brown eyes, eyes she would’ve flicked past if they weren’t part of a striking ensemble of high cheekbones, strong jaw, straight Roman nose, Mediterranean tan and black-as-coal hair which framed his face, highlighting the perfection.

      Striking? Who was she kidding? The guy was gorgeous, imposing, and staring at her with obvious concern.

      ‘I’m fine,’ she said, waving him away with one hand while maintaining a death grip on her suitcase.

      She travelled extensively to promote Motive, her architectural business. She knew the dangers of landing in a strange city and being accosted by wackos, no matter how incredible they looked.

      ‘You sure?’

      His deep voice rippled over her, the posh accent reminiscent of the time she’d spent in London. The time she’d rather forget.

      ‘Positive.’

      She nodded emphatically and turned away, only to be confronted by the burgundy leather seats of the limo, and a bar tucked discreetly into the far door.

      Suddenly, the choice between getting into the limo and possibly being abducted didn’t seem so far apart after all.

      ‘I’m sorry for intruding, but it appears you don’t want to get into the limousine with this man.’

      Len puffed up like a jellyfish.

      ‘Hey! I resent what you’re implying, sir. I’m only doing my job, and right now that’s taking Miss Green to her hotel.’

      The stranger ignored Len and focussed that unnerving, steady gaze on her.

      ‘Would you prefer to take a taxi?’

      ‘Yes, please.’

      She nodded, grateful that someone had picked up on her distress and wasn’t making a big deal about it.

      All she wanted to do was grab a cab to the hotel, take a long, hot bath and prepare for her presentation. She didn’t need any more dramas.

      ‘Miss Green, are you sure?’

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