Sultry Nights: Mistress to the Merciless Millionaire / The Savakis Mistress / Ruthless Tycoon, Inexperienced Mistress. Annie West

Lucille came into the hall then, wiping her hands on an apron, and dragged Rosie close for a big hug and kiss.

      Tiarnan looked back at Kate as he dodged around Rosie and Mama Lucille. ‘We’re going to the beach with a picnic. Zoe’s family will be there too.’

      Kate followed them out to the Jeep, which was laden down with things. This was obviously a bit of a ritual for them, and she realised belatedly that it was Sunday. It must be a traditional family day out for the locals.

      Mama Lucille surprised Kate by giving her a big expansive hug too, and then they set off, the two giggling girls in the back reminding Kate bittersweetly of herself and Sorcha when they’d been young.

      Disconcertingly, as if able to read her mind, Tiarnan said while gesturing to the back, ‘Remind you of anyone?’

      Kate smiled. ‘I was just thinking about that.’

      ‘Thinking about what?’ Rosie piped up from the back, proving that her ears were very keen.

      Kate and Tiarnan shared a complicit smile, and Kate couldn’t stop her heart feeling as if it was about to burst. But she turned around and started to tell the two girls stories about her and Sorcha when they’d been young.

      That evening, when they were in a very bedraggled and sandy Jeep returning home as night fell, Kate knew she hadn’t enjoyed a day so much in ages. She felt deliciously sunburned, her skin tingling in the aftermath of a day spent outdoors. They’d gone to a beach that was obviously a local secret as it had been empty but for them and Zoe’s extended family, all Mama Lucille’s children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She could see what Tiarnan meant. Rosie was as much a part of that family as their own kids—she could even see that there was a fragile and gradual thawing in Rosie and Tiarnan’s relationship. She hoped that the holiday would prove to give Tiarnan the breakthrough he sought with Rosie.

      Earlier in the day Kate had given up trying to keep track of everyone she’d been introduced to, and Zoe’s mother-Anne-Marie had taken her under her wing. She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, who had three children including Zoe, the eldest.

      They’d been watching an impromptu football game, with everyone chaotically involved, toddlers and all in the mix, when Kate had impulsively confided, ‘I envy you.’

      Anne-Marie had looked shocked. ‘Are you mad? You’d give up a glamorous lifestyle travelling around the world to live with this kind of mayhem?’

      But the other woman’s sparkling eyes had told another story. Kate had felt her heart clench. She’d hidden the true extent of her desire to get out of modelling and settle down even from Sorcha. Somehow here, with this woman who was little more than a stranger, it had been easy to smile wryly and say with feeling, ‘In a heartbeat.’

      Anne-Marie had leant close then, and said conspiratorially, ‘He’s a good man.’

      Kate had blushed immediately and realised to her horror that her eyes had been greedily following Tiarnan as he’d run bare-chested down the beach with the ball, a gaggle of children running after him, adults laughing. It was a world away from the austere image he projected to the world of finance and high-powered achieving. In truth, she was slightly shocked to see this side of him—and shocked at the feeling it caused deep inside her. A deep yearning for family, love, for belonging. With him. When she should be getting over him …

      Kate tried to be cool. ‘Oh, I’ve known Tiarnan for years. His sister Sorcha’s my best friend. And, yes, he is a good man.’

      Anne-Marie hadn’t looked fooled for a second. She’d just said, ‘He’s never brought anyone else here, you know … and no man is an island.’

      Kate’s face had been burning by then, but thankfully Anne-Marie had deftly defused the situation and stood, reaching down to haul Kate up too.

      ‘Come on—let’s show the men a thing or two.’

      Kate’s attention returned to the present. It was just the three of them in the Jeep—Rosie sleepy in the back, Tiarnan driving. She snuck a look at his proud profile as he drove. Anne-Marie was wrong, Tiarnan most certainly was an island, and there was no room on it for her except as a temporary bed companion. The sooner she could come to terms with that, the better.

      After dinner Kate offered to go and see if Rosie was tucked into bed. Tiarnan caught her hand to pull her back and said with a seductive drawl, ‘I didn’t bring you here to act as a nanny to Rosie.’

      Kate looked down at him and her heart twisted. They’d all showered and changed as soon as they’d got back, and Tiarnan looked heart-stoppingly handsome with damp hair, in a clean shirt and worn jeans. His blue eyes were even more intense against the slight tan he’d already acquired in one day.

      She pulled her hand free. ‘Don’t worry. I know exactly why I’m here, Tiarnan. We both do.’

      Something in her voice or expression caught him and caused an ache in the region of his chest, but he had no idea why. He watched her walk out, her sexy cut-off shorts effortlessly showcasing her long lissom legs. She wore a peasant-style top and her hair was loose down her back, slightly darker as it was still a little damp. Her scent hovered on the air and he had to fight not to close his eyes and savour it.

      Slightly irritated with himself for this moonstruck streak he wasn’t used to, he turned back to the table and drank down the rest of his wine. Along with the heat of desire that washed through him in waves was a much more ambiguous feeling.

      He’d expected Kate to suffer somewhat through the day, having to spend it en famille. But she had smiled and gelled with everyone immediately. She’d seemed to genuinely enjoy herself—and the rambunctious nature of Mama Lucille’s family. He’d seen her talking to Anne-Marie, laughing easily, as if they’d known each other for years.

      She’d been quite happy to muck in and help out with the food and children too, assuming a natural gentle authority which had taken him by surprise. When they’d been playing football he’d seen her go to pick up one of the smaller children who’d been accidentally knocked over without a moment’s hesitation, and even though she didn’t even know him, she’d hugged him close and kissed him better, so that by the time the father had rushed over the child had been clinging to Kate and playing happily with her blonde hair.