Bedroom Seductions: Two Weeks in the Magnate's Bed. Nicola Marsh

a romantic game of her own making, the last thing Lana wanted to do several mornings later was play chess, but she had a game scheduled with Mavis and she hated to let her down.

      She plopped into a comfy armchair and ordered a double espresso from a waiter, hoping the after-affects of yet another sleepless night didn’t show. She’d had to use concealer to hide the dark rings under her eyes for the first time ever. Beth would be proud she even knew what the stuff was for.

      ‘Guess what arrived at my door this morning?’

      Lana screwed her eyes tight, pretending to think. ‘Let me guess. One of those dance hosts you’re so fond of?’

      Mavis roared with laughter. ‘Bad girl. Next best thing, though: an invitation to the Captain’s cocktail party tonight. I’m sure there’ll be a few eligible men there to bat my eyelashes at.’

      ‘You’re supposed to be setting me a good example.’

      ‘Hah!’ Mavis snorted. ‘I think it’s too late for you, my girl. You don’t need any lessons, if that happy glow is any indication. I take it your tour went well the other day?’

      The tour? It seemed like a lifetime ago, considering what had happened since. The chat they’d had the night the ship had left Suva had been replayed at will, over and over, till she wondered if she was going crazy. Luckily Zac had been tied up with work since, and she’d barely seen him. Maybe telling him she felt emotionally involved with him had been a good thing? Perhaps it had driven him away once and for all?

      Indecision tore at her. She wanted to tell her friend everything, but was still trying to understand it herself, so she gave her a brief version of events instead. Mavis nodded in all the right spots, waiting till she’d finished.