Purchased For Pleasure. Nicola Marsh

in his voice might actually mean he cared.

      ‘Nothing, why?’

      ‘You’re wound tighter than a spring. You used to be spontaneous and eager and able to laugh at yourself. What happened? Did inheriting the family jewels change you?’

      She clenched her fists, barely registering the sting of fingernails biting into her palms when all she felt like doing was kneeing him in his family jewels.

      ‘I’m just tired. Besides, you don’t know the first thing about me any more.’

      He straightened and she had to tilt her head to look up at him. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. We used to have a connection and I intend to use the week ahead to catch up.’

      Catch up.

      Two simple words that held a staggering array of connotations, of the various ways in which they could catch up, and her heart flipped in a perfect somersault with double pike at the thought.

      Sighing, she followed him to the doorway and, before they walked through it, reached out and touched his arm.

      ‘Why are you doing this, Ty?’

      He stopped and swivelled to face her, his features softening. ‘You haven’t called me that in a long time.’

      ‘It’s been a long time,’ she responded, suddenly saddened by their lack of contact over the years. ‘Now answer my question.’

      He shrugged. ‘A week isn’t all that long and I’m a sucker for a good cause. The orphanage is home to those poor little kids and they deserve a chance in life.’

      She’d meant why was he doing this to them, insisting they spend a week together when they’d been finished for years.

      However, she let it slide for now, the sadness creeping across his face telling her how much he sympathised with the orphans.

      ‘Still the same old Ty? Always out to save the world.’

      ‘It’s what I do. Why do you make it sound like I’m on an ego trip or something?’

      ‘Aren’t you?’

      He swore softly and she changed tack. ‘Are you on leave?’

      ‘Yeah, one week.’

      ‘Why didn’t you just donate money rather than giving up your week?’

      The thought had niggled since she’d seen his name on the list of prospective guys for sale. His job had always come first and she doubted that would have changed. After all, it was one of the things that had driven them apart.

      He shrugged and looked away. ‘I thought the auction might raise more money than I could give.’

      He was lying.

      She knew it the minute he glanced away. Ty was as straight as they came. He always looked a person in the eye and called a spade a shovel, which made his reticence to discuss this all the more intriguing. He’d been a stand-up guy when they’d first met, too much so if his blunt declaration their marriage would never work with one absentee partner all the time had been any indication.

      ‘There’s more to this. You’re hiding something.’

      ‘Still the snoop, eh? You won’t find your next story here.’

      This time he looked straight at her, something akin to challenge etched in the darkening depths of his eyes.

      If there was one thing she thrived on it was a challenge and sailor boy knew it.

      ‘Maybe not, but you can’t blame a girl for trying. Perhaps I should just let it all go and agree to this crazy scheme, and then use it to my full advantage.’

      Not that she’d seriously contemplate spending the week with him, but it was nice to gain the upper hand with Mr Confidence.

      His voice dropped, low and husky, eliciting a whole host of visceral reactions she’d rather not decipher.

      ‘Now you’re talking. If you let it all go this week could be more fun than I thought.’

      He ran his hands lightly over her upper arms in a soft caress and her legs trembled, her desire needing little to rekindle. One touch. That was all it took to make her burn for him just as she used to.

      So much for gaining the upper hand.

      ‘Goodnight, Ty.’

      She spun on her heel and strode away, eager to put as much distance between them as possible.

      His taunting laughter followed her down the long corridor. ‘You can run but you can’t hide.’

      ‘Wanna make a bet?’ she mumbled as she lengthened her stride and hoped to God that Di had waited for her.

      CHAPTER THREE

      ‘AREN’T you the dark horse? Fancy waiting to the end to bid and snaffling the best of the lot.’

      Kate had been grateful Di had waited for her after the auction. And, clearly realising her boss needed some space on the trip back to the office, Di hadn’t asked her any questions. Apparently now, though, she was fair game.

      ‘Don’t you have work to do?’ Kate shuffled papers around, hoping to get rid of Di pronto.

      Predictably, it didn’t work. The woman had an inquisitive nature worthy of an up-and-comer in the publishing business.

      Di perched on the edge of her desk and shoved aside the papers Kate had been fiddling with. ‘Nothing that can’t wait. Come on, spill the beans. Where did you two disappear to after the show? In a cosy little friendship bracelet, no less.’

      Kate sighed, pushing the thought of Ty’s dynamic kiss to the far recesses of her mind.

      ‘There’s nothing to tell. We unlocked ourselves, had a chat to establish boundaries and that was it.’

      Di pounced on her. ‘Aha! I knew it. Why would you need to establish boundaries? Did something happen between the dishy SEAL and my intrepid boss?’

      ‘Ex-SEAL,’ she corrected automatically.

      ‘How do you know that?’

      Great, she thought. Slip up number two in less than a minute. Di was no slouch, which was why she’d hired her.

      She could’ve fluffed her way out of it and rambled on about the announcer saying he was an instructor these days, but she knew Di wouldn’t let up until she had nothing less than the truth.

      ‘I know Tyler James.’

      A deafening silence followed her revelation till Di let out a squeal. ‘Ooh, I knew there was more to you than meets the eye. Here I am feeling sorry for my workaholic old boss and she’s out there running around with hot sailors.’

      ‘Hey! Enough of the old stuff and I’m not running around with anybody. I met Tyler about six years ago when he was a SEAL. He isn’t just an instructor. He’s had his fair share of action.’

      Both in and out of uniform and lucky for her she’d been privy to Ty at his best.

      ‘I just bet he has,’ purred the younger woman.

      ‘For heaven’s sake, get your mind out of the gutter.’

      ‘Why, when it’s so much fun?’

      Di slid off the desk and wandered around the office, trying to look nonchalant and failing miserably. ‘Is that why you put in a bid, boss? Looking for a little action?’

      Kate threw a pencil at her. ‘Out. Now. Get back to work before you’re fired.’

      ‘You wouldn’t dare. I’m your right-hand gal.’

      Di smirked and flounced out of the room, her bright orange skirt swishing around her ankles.

      Kate sat back and laughed. Di was