Page 30 of Forbidden Hawaiian Nights
But hard on the heels of that pleasing recognition came one that was slightly less welcome.
Lust was one thing but the thought of distancing himself and denial in the aftermath… A moment’s pleasure was never worth an hour of post-pleasure angst and guilt, and some inner radar was telling him that post-pleasure angst and guilt might be her natural response.
‘Thank me? For the distraction?’ He shot her a crooked, amused smile and didn’t take his eyes off her flushed face. ‘Did you enjoy it?’ he murmured, voice low and husky.
‘It did the job,’ she returned crisply, which made him smile more. Where most women would have offered seconds, she could barely meet his eyes. He felt back in control and that split-second of disturbing unease had been banished. In fact, he felt buoyant.
‘In that case, glad to be of service.’
‘Tell me about the itinerary.’
‘The itinerary…’
‘Where exactly we’re going and where we’ll be staying and other such things.’
‘I have a printout somewhere.’ If she ran any faster from acknowledging that kiss, then she’d be in danger of tripping over her own feet in her haste.
‘Perhaps I could see it?’
‘We could always wait until we get to the hotel,’ he drawled. ‘Review it in more relaxed conditions. It’s a short flight.’
Flustered, Mia chewed her lip. She was still so unsettled she could barely think clearly. Bringing things back to business should have worked, should have focused her mind, but he wasn’t playing ball, and she was at a loss as to how to drag the conversation back to where she wanted it.
Did you enjoy it…?
What kind of question was that? she inwardly fumed. He’d been laughing at her. She was sure of it. She’d done her best to act cool and collected but, not to beat about the bush, she’d practically hurled herself into his arms the second his mouth had touched hers. He was a guy with a lot of experience, and he would have had to be blind to miss the shameful enthusiasm of her response. Of course he was laughing at her now! Did he think that she had seriously imagined that he actually fancied her? Yes. Yes, he did.
‘I don’t even know what hotel you’ve booked.’
‘You’ll like it. Trust me.’ He grinned and she returned a withering look because she was pretty sure she wasn’t going to like what he said next, not judging from the barely contained laughter in his navy eyes. ‘Or maybe not… You might find it just more tedious luxury after you’ve been forced to endure the horror of a private jet.’
‘I never said that this was horrible!’
‘I know, but somehow you’ve managed to remind me at every turn that my life choices are too materialistic and therefore leave a lot to be desired.’
Mia sniffed. He didn’t sound offended. He sounded amused. The wretched man sounded relaxed while she, on the other hand, was in state of churning, inner turmoil.
‘I’m very sorry if that was the impression I gave,’ she said coolly.
‘No, you’re not.’ He was still grinning. ‘If it’s one thing you’re never sorry about, it’s giving me a headache.’
‘That’s not true!’ She bristled.
‘I like it,’ Max murmured softly.
Wrong-footed for the second time in as many minutes, Mia shot him a nonplussed look from under her lashes.
‘I can’t believe you’re lost for words.’
‘I… I…’
‘I’m surrounded by people who aim to please. It’s refreshing to be in the company of someone who aims to criticise.’
‘I don’t…aim to criticise…’
He liked it? He found it refreshing?
Mia stifled a sudden rush of pleasure. He found her refreshing? Since when? He certainly hadn’t found her refreshing when she’d refused to disclose his sister’s whereabouts.
