But she was no longer.
He nodded at the sliding glass doors. “Let’s go out on the balcony. We can have dinner out there.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “I’m not hungry.”
“Then perhaps we should give dinner a miss?”
She immediately stepped forward and strode past him to the balcony, her set mouth telling him what she thought of that idea.
“I figured that would change your mind,” he murmured, following her over to the railing, where she stood looking out over the spectacular sunset view of Mindil Beach and Darwin Harbor. It was glorious out here at any time of year, but during the beginning of the wet season, like now, he loved watching the incredible lightning displays that lit up the sky most nights.
Yet tonight the only thing he wanted to light up was the woman standing next to him. He turned to look at her. The evening sun reflected on the delicate contours of her face, giving her a special glow, making her look more beautiful.
“Do you have to look at me like that?” she said in a throaty voice, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
“Yes,” he said huskily. Right now he didn’t think he’d ever get enough of looking at her.
She swallowed hard. “You’re not making this any easier for me.”
“Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.”
She turned to face him, her expression growing resentful. “That’s the attraction, isn’t it, Brant? You couldn’t have me, so you decided you wanted me.”
“I admit I like a challenge.” His eyes dipped to her parted lips. “But wanting you wasn’t a decision I chose to make. I took one look at you and knew the decision had already been made for me.”
“How nice,” she said with false sweetness.
He smiled. She could fight herself all she liked, but it wouldn’t make one speck of difference. She would be in his arms tonight. And in his bed. He was sure of that.
“Shall we eat?” he said and took great pleasure in placing his hand under her elbow to lead her over to the small dining table in the middle of the balcony. Her shiver was from desire, he saw it in her eyes, and it sent a hunger for more than food racing through him. But he could wait. He wanted to savor her first.
They dined on prawn cocktail as an entrée, followed by a grilled lamb with zucchini and tomatoes that his housekeeper had made. Brant watched in amusement over Kia’s attempt to go slow as she chewed each mouthful as though it was the last food she’d ever eat.
“This is very good,” she said, taking another tiny bite of the lamb. “Did you cook this yourself?”
He shot her a mocking smile. “Do I look like a cook?”
She stiffened. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with cooking. Lots of men like to do it.”
“And lots of men like to make love,” he said, purposefully seductive. “How many men have made love to you, Kia?”
She almost choked, then recovered quickly. “How many have you made love to?”
“I don’t find men attractive. Now women, that’s more my style.”
Her eyes filled with derision. “I guess it’s more an art form than a technique with you then.”
He leaned back in his chair, curious at her remark.
She pressed on. “I’d say you’ve had plenty of practice having sex.”
“True. But I’ve always practiced safe sex, so you have no worries on that score.”
“I’m relieved,” she said drily.
“It’s important, Kia.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“So, Kia.” He paused and took a sip of wine. “How many lovers have you had?”
“One.”
He arched a brow as the muscles at the back of his neck tensed. Could she really be as innocent as all that?
She shot him a defiant look. “Hey, you asked, so don’t blame me if you don’t like the answer.”
His eyes narrowed. “I know your game. You think I’ll back off if you tell me you’re inexperienced.”
She placed her fork on the table. “Actually, I don’t care what you think. It’s the truth.”
His gut clenched. “Tell me about it.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I want no more secrets between us, Kia. Not in bed, anyway.”
She considered him for a long moment. Then she said, “I lost my virginity at a party when I was fifteen. It was the one and only time I got drunk and I gave it away to the first boy that looked at me because my father had just gotten married and didn’t want his ‘plain-looking’ daughter at his wedding and I needed to feel loved. He didn’t even ask me my name.”
She said it so matter-of-factly that he believed her. He swore under his breath.
She shrugged. “I hardly remember most of it. I was just so lucky not to have found myself pregnant.”
He scowled. “The boy didn’t use protection?”
“I was too drunk to notice.”
“But surely—” His jaw clenched, then he forced himself to relax. “I’ll make a deal with you. We’ll make love, but if at any time you want me to stop, I will.”
Her throat convulsed. “You’d do that?”
Something softened inside him. “I want a willing female in my bed. I don’t get my kicks from forcing a woman.” Rising, he held out his hand. “I need you. Need to make love with you, Kia Benton,” he said, deliberately saying her name, wanting her to know that he knew exactly who she was, unlike the boy who had stripped her of her virginity. “I promise you this won’t be like your first time.”
Seven
The evening breeze gently lifted the lace curtains away from the open window as Kia followed Brant into the bedroom. In a way, she felt like those curtains. As if she was lifting a part of herself, unveiling herself for him to see.
Yet it was a risky move to make, and for a moment she hesitated. Did she really want him to leap the boundaries she kept around herself? Today in his office she’d relinquished her body to him. But now, once his body was inside her, once he knew her so physically, what would happen to her emotionally?
Just then, he squeezed her fingers and she looked at him. The sheer depth of desire in his eyes made her shiver with longing. All her doubts disappeared.
“I want you, Brant,” she admitted, unable to stop the words from spilling from her. She couldn’t deny herself this. No matter what happened afterward, no matter what he thought of her, she would always have this memory. “I want you so much.”
Heat flared in his eyes. “Then you’ve got me,” he muttered, pulling her close.
She went willingly into his arms, the palms of her hands pressing against his chest, feeling his warmth and vibrancy through the material of his shirt.
“I have never had a more beautiful woman in my arms,” he rasped, his warm breath flowing over her.
“You make me feel beautiful,” she murmured. And he did. As if someone had waved a magic wand over her and turned her into more than she was.
She lifted her face for his kiss,