A Stranger's Kiss

no trouble,’ he assured her, bowing slightly. ‘Another time we will explore at more leisure, cherie.’ His eyes suggested he had more than ruins in mind.
    ‘I look forward to it,’ she replied, somewhat recklessly under the circumstances.
    ‘There are some faxes requiring answers, if you could spare a moment,’ Adam said curtly. ‘Hanna, can I offer you a drink?’
    But Hanna Rashid chose not to outstay his welcome and Adam joined her in the office almost immediately.
    ‘How did you manage to shake off Angela?’ he demanded.
    She looked up. ‘It wasn’t necessary. Angela cancelled.’
    ‘You’re lying! I could see last night that you weren’t keen on a trip to the souk. Now I know why. Hanna organised my “invitation” to the majlis because you had already arranged this morning’s jaunt.’ His mouth was an angry slit. ‘Where did he take you? His little beach pavilion?’
    ‘He took me sight-seeing, Adam.’ Her hand shook slightly as she pressed the send button. ‘I told you he was the perfect gentleman.’ She might easily have imagined the sexual undercurrent in his luncheon invitation. But Adam’s guess about the beach pavilion would seem to confirm it.
    His eyes narrowed. ‘I almost believe you. I wonder why?’
    ‘Maybe because I’m telling the truth,’ she said, crossly.
    He shook his head. ‘No. I wonder why Hanna is taking so long over your seduction?’ He ignored her furious denial. ‘One look is normally enough to have women eating out of his hand. When I discovered you had left the night-club with him I was certain...’
    ‘That he would bring me back here, flaunt his conquest under your very nose?’ she asked, astounded.
    ‘He naturally assumed that I have designs upon you myself. It would amuse him to cut me out.’
    ‘Oh, I see! This is just a silly boys’ game. You should have explained. I’ll be a little nicer to him in future,’ she added, the sugar sweetness of her voice in direct contrast to the anger she felt. ‘If you’ll excuse me I think I’ll take a shower before lunch.’
    ‘Tara?’ She turned. His face was creased in a puzzled frown. He shook his head. ‘Nothing.’
    Lunch was a quiet meal. They were served a fine-fleshed white fish lightly coated in a shrimp sauce, accompanied by a green salad. Adam said very little, but once when she looked up, she caught him looking at her speculatively. She looked quickly away, but felt his eyes return to her again and again as if searching for an answer.
    He spent the afternoon making phone calls, suggesting that she might like to rest before the evening.
    ‘It’s a formal party this evening, Tara. You did bring a long dress?’
    ‘Yes, I brought a long dress with me,’ she said, glad that her safe black dress was hanging thousands of miles away where she couldn’t be tempted to wear it.
    But examining her reflection in the long mirror later that evening, she felt an altogether different sensation. She had made up to emphasize her dark eyes and painted her mouth scarlet to match her dress. Her black hair hung in a glossy curve to her naked shoulders and she had fastened long gold drops to her ears. Her throat, shoulders, arms were all innocent of adornment.
    The dress was simple in the extreme. A tiny bodice that hugged her figure, skimming lightly over her breasts and emphasizing her waist. The skirt, full, soft, brilliant, hung to her ankles. She had seen it in the window of a small boutique marked down in the January sales. She had always loved the colour and she had the money her godmother had sent for Christmas with a note to be sure and treat herself to something completely impractical.
    The dress matched the description but this was the first time she had worn it. It was gorgeous, but totally unsuitable for a secretary accompanying her boss on a business trip.
    ‘Are you ready, Tara?’ A tap on the door and Adam’s voice from the other side of the door sent her heart hammering up into her throat. For a crazy moment she considered pleading a headache, sickness, possibly even insanity.
    ‘I’ll be down in a moment.’ She took one last look but it was too late to yearn to the safe little black number she kept for such occasions and picked up her tiny matching bag and a black wrap and reluctantly left the security of her room.
    Adam was standing in the entrance hall, glancing impatiently at his watch when something made him look up.
    For a brief unguarded moment she saw a flare of desire heat