LITMIR.BIZ

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reached for the clasp, only to have him still her hands.

      ‘Leave it on.’

      Without a further word she drew his head down to hers and initiated a kiss that proved so evocative it could have only one ending.

      Later, much later, Miguel curved her in against him and pressed a light kiss to her temple. ‘Sleep, amante. Tomorrow is another day.’

      Hannah woke to the peal of the doorbell, and Miguel ushered in the waiter delivering room-service breakfast.

      What time was it? She cast a hurried glance at the digital clock on the bedside pedestal, and gave a groan.

      Eight-fifteen! Dear heaven, she was due to open the boutique at nine, and she needed to shower, dress, get home and collect a fresh change of clothes…

      With rapid movements she thrust aside the covers and slid to her feet. The shower…

      ‘Amada, slow down,’ Miguel growled in husky chastisement, and she cast him a harried glance.

      ‘The boutique— You should have woken me…’

      ‘Come and have breakfast.’ He sounded indolently amused. ‘You’re not going anywhere.’

      ‘What do you mean I’m not going anywhere? It’s late—’

      His dark musing expression held warm appreciation of her nudity, and she quickly caught up a robe, thrust her arms through the sleeves and hurriedly caught the silk edges together.

      He extended a hand, caught hold of hers, and pulled her close.

      ‘Miguel,’ she protested in exasperation. ‘We don’t have time—’

      ‘Yes, we do.’

      ‘No, we don’t.’ She dragged fingers through the tousled length of her hair, and made an effort to free her hand.

      Except she didn’t stand a chance as his mouth covered hers in a lingering kiss that almost destroyed the will to move. Almost. It was she who pulled away first, and only, she suspected, because he allowed it.

      He could, he knew, slide the silk from her shoulders and pull her down onto the bed. Early morning lovemaking was a mutual indulgence that made for a great start to the day. Today, however, it would have to wait.

      ‘Renee will open the boutique this morning.’

      She stilled, and gave him a searching look. ‘Why?’

      Miguel led her towards the table where the waiter had laid out their breakfast. ‘Sit down and we’ll eat.’

      ‘I’m not doing a thing until you tell me what’s going on.’

      ‘Okay,’ Miguel said easily. ‘We’re due to board an international flight in a few hours.’

      She stilled, and her eyes were wide as she looked at him. ‘What did you say?’

      He reached out an arm and drew her forward and into a chair, then he took the seat opposite. ‘You heard.’

      ‘How?’

      He cast her a musing glance. ‘The usual way, I imagine.’

      ‘I mean, how can we get away at such short notice?’

      ‘Delegate.’

      ‘I can’t—’

      ‘Yes, you can.’ He drank half of his orange juice in one long swallow. ‘Cindy returns to work on Monday, she will manage the boutique with Elaine’s help, and Renee will go in at four each afternoon to close.’

      ‘But—’

      ‘The world as we know it won’t end if we take time out,’ Miguel relayed quietly.

      He was right, it wouldn’t. It was just so…sudden. So unexpected.

      Hannah took a sip of orange juice, then another. ‘Where are we going?’

      ‘Hawaii.’

      Oh, my, did he possess some kind of mind-reading gift? She mentally pictured white sand, blue sea, and white-crested surf, sunshine, and tranquillity. Lazy days, long, languid nights. Heaven.

      She almost dared not ask. ‘How long?’

      ‘A week in Honolulu, and a week on Maui.’

      ‘Honolulu?’ she queried, a slow, sweet smile curving her lips. Maui. She didn’t know which held the most appeal. ‘Really?’ Her eyes acquired a gleam. ‘Today?’

      His mouth twitched with wry amusement. ‘Don’t look at me like that. Or we won’t get out of this suite, let alone catch a scheduled flight.’

      Hannah laughed, a light-hearted sound that stole round his heart and tugged a little. ‘You think so?’

      He reached out a hand and placed a finger over her lips. ‘Breakfast, querida.’

      ‘Okay,’ she acquiesced. She held up one hand and began counting off her fingers. ‘Hmm. A nine-hour flight.’ Her eyes acquired a devilish sparkle. ‘That gives me plenty of time to plan exactly how I intend to reward you.’

      ‘Minx,’ he said, tempted to discard breakfast altogether.

      ‘Pity we need to go home to pack.’

      ‘No,’ Miguel discounted. ‘We don’t. I have our bags in the boot of the car.’

      She couldn’t restrain an incredulous smile. ‘You packed for me?’

      ‘I have as much as you need,’ he said with musing solemnity. ‘Anything else you can buy there. Besides,’ he added indolently, ‘I don’t plan on having you wear much at all most of the time.’

      Hannah leaned across the table and pressed a finger to his lips. ‘Well, I have news for you, amante. I plan to swim, lie in the sun, go for long walks, and read. And a pleasant meal among fellow diners is also a prerequisite.’ Her eyes sparkled and acquired the hue of brilliant blue topaz. ‘If you’ve only tossed briefs and a robe into my bag, you’re in serious trouble.’

      ‘Try…an evening suit, a dress or two, shorts, a few tops, bikini, shoes…’ Miguel trailed off, then opened his mouth and playfully nipped her finger with the edge of his teeth before releasing it.

      ‘Food,’ she mocked gently, and began doing justice to cereal and fruit, following it with toast and strong black coffee.

      They made the flight with only minutes to spare, and Hannah divided her attention between the pages of a spellbinding murder mystery and the movies offered on-screen.

      It was late when they landed in Honolulu, and almost midnight by the time they checked into their hotel.

      The luxury suite on a high floor overlooking Waikiki beach was superb, and Hannah crossed to the wide expanse of plate glass and slid open doors onto the lanai.

      A gentle breeze wafted in from the ocean, and the air held the fresh smell of the sea. Twinkling lights outlined the mainland arching towards Diamond Head.

      Miguel moved in close behind her and linked his arms around her waist. His chin rested on top of her head as she leaned back against him.

      ‘It’s magical,’ she murmured softly. Melbourne, home, Camille, seemed so far away. Like a bad dream from which she’d just awoken. ‘Thank you.’

      ‘For what, precisely?’

      ‘Bringing me here,’ she said simply. Taking affirmative action, believing in me…us, she added silently.

      Miguel’s hands tightened fractionally, and he lowered his head to savour the vulnerable hollow at the base of her neck. ‘My pleasure.’

      ‘I’ve reached a decision,’ Hannah said slowly, feeling the heat slipping through her body at his touch. It was like an aphrodisiac, powerful, potent, and electric. She

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