The Helen Bianchin And The Regency Scoundrels And Scandals Collections. Louise Allen

traced a pattern over her breasts, then drew a line down to her belly before seeking the moist heart of her.

      ‘You’re wearing too many clothes,’ she managed shakily, and watched as he divested each one of them.

      Then he lowered his head and kissed her, arousing such passion she soon lost a sense of time or place as she became lost in the man, a wanton willing to gift and take sensual pleasure until there could be only one end.

      It was then Diego pulled her down onto the bed and ravished her with such exquisite slowness she cried out in demand he assuage the ache deep within.

      Afterwards they slept, to wake at dawn to indulge in the slow, sweet loving of two people in perfect sexual accord.

      It was an idyllic place, Cassandra bestowed wistfully as they sat eating breakfast out by the pool, and wondered how it would feel to fall asleep in Diego’s arms every night, knowing he was there. To gift him pleasure, as he pleasured her.

      Whoa…wait a minute here. So the sex is great. Hell, let’s go with fantastic. But it stops with tonight.

      Early tomorrow morning they’d take the dawn flight back to Sydney and go their separate ways.

      She should be happy it was nearly over. Instead she felt incredibly bereft.

      Given the option of how to spend the day, Cassandra chose the theme park. Lots of people, plenty of entertainment, and it meant she didn’t have much opportunity to dwell on the coming night.

      Tigers, baby cubs, the Imax theatre were only a few of the features available, and the hours slipped by with gratifying ease.

      ‘Want to dine out, or order in?’ Diego queried as they returned to the penthouse.

      ‘Order in.’ It would be nice to sit out on the balcony beneath dimmed lighting, sip chilled wine, and sample food while taking in the night scene out over the marina, where large cruisers lay at berth and people wandered along the adjacent board-walk.

      He moved to where she stood and trailed light fingers down her cheek. ‘Simple pleasures, hmm?’

      Sensation began to unfurl deep inside, increasing her pulse-beat. It was crazy. Think with your head, she bade silently. If you go with what your heart dictates, you’ll be in big trouble. Somehow she had the feeling it was way too late for rationale.

      ‘I’ll go freshen up.’ If she didn’t move away from him, she’d be lost.

      A refreshing shower did much to restore a sense of normalcy, and she donned jeans and a cotton-knit top, tied her hair back, then added a touch of lip-gloss.

      Diego was standing in the lounge talking on his cellphone, and he concluded the call as she entered the room.

      ‘Check the menu while I shower and change.’

      Seafood, Cassandra decided as she viewed the selection offered, and chose prawn risotto with bruschetta. Diego, when he re-emerged in black jeans and polo shirt, endorsed her suggestion and added lobster tail and salad.

      Diego opened a bottle of chilled sauvignon blanc while they waited for the food to be delivered, and they moved out on the balcony as the night sky began to deepen.

      Lights became visible in a number of luxury cabin cruisers berthed close by, and Cassandra stilled, mesmerised, as Diego leant out a hand and freed the ribbon from her hair.

      ‘All day I’ve resisted the temptation.’ He threaded his fingers through its length so it curved down over her shoulders.

      The breeze stirred the fine strands, tumbling them into a state of disarray. A warm smile curved his mouth as he leaned in close and took possession of her mouth in an exploratory open-mouthed kiss that teased and tantalised as he evoked her response.

      He tasted of cool wine, and she placed a steadying hand to his shoulders and leaned in for a few brief moments until the electronic peal of the doorbell broke them apart.

      Diego collected the restaurant food while Cassandra set the small balcony table with fine china and cutlery, and they shared a leisurely meal, offering each other forked morsels of food to sample in a gourmet feast.

      The moon shone brightly, and there were myriad tiny stars sprinkling the night sky. Magical, she accorded silently.

      They lingered over the wine, and when a fresh breeze started up they carried everything indoors, dealt with the few dishes, dispensed the food containers, and contemplated coffee.

      It wasn’t late, yet all it took was the drift of his fingers tracing the line of her slender neck, the touch of his lips at her temple, and she became lost.

      With one fluid movement he swept her into his arms and carried her down to the bedroom, where dispensing with her clothes, his, became almost an art form.

      She wanted to savour every moment, each kiss, the touch of his hands, his mouth, and exult in his possession. To gift him pleasure and hear the breath hiss between his teeth, his husky groan as she drove him to the end of his endurance.

      When he reached it, she drew him in, the long, deep thrust plunging to the hilt, and he felt her warm, slick heat, revelled in the way she enclosed him, urging a hard, driving rhythm that scaled the heights with a shattering climax that left them both exhausted.

      Afterwards they slept for a few hours, and Cassandra stirred as he carried her into the en suite and stepped into the spa-bath.

      Dreamlike, she allowed his ministrations, and stood like an obedient child as he blotted the moisture from her body before tending to his own, then he took her back to bed to savour her body in a long, sweet loving that almost made her weep.

      All too soon it was time to shower and dress, pack, drink strong black coffee, then drive down to Coolangatta Airport. Check-in time was disgustingly early, the flight south smooth and uneventful.

      It was just after eight when they disembarked at Sydney Airport, and it took scant minutes to traverse the concourse to ground level.

      ‘I’ll take a cab,’ Cassandra indicated as they emerged from the terminal.

      Diego shot her a dark look that spoke volumes. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

      ‘I need to get to work.’

      One eyebrow slanted. ‘So I’ll drop you there.’

      ‘It’s out of your way.’

      ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

      She heaved an eloquent sigh. ‘Diego—’

      ‘Cool it, Cassandra. You’re coming with me.’

      Like a marionette when the puppeteer pulls the string? She opened her mouth to protest, only to close it again as the Aston Martin swept into the parking bay with an attendant at the wheel.

      She remained silent during the drive into the city, and she had her seat belt undone with her hand on the door-clasp when he eased the car to a halt adjacent to the jewellery workshop.

      ‘Thank you for a pleasant weekend.’ The words sounded incredibly inadequate as she slid from the passenger seat. ‘If you pop the trunk I’ll collect my bag, then you won’t need to get out of the car.’

      Except her words fell on deaf ears as he emerged from behind the wheel, collected her bag and handed it to her.

      Then he lowered his head and took possession of her mouth in a brief, hard kiss that left her gasping for breath. Then he released her and slid into the car as she walked away without so much as a backward glance.

      Could anyone see her heart was breaking? Somehow she doubted it as she got on with the day. She checked with Sylvie, Alexander’s nurse, and arranged to share dinner that evening with her father.

      At four Cameron rang, jubilant with the news Diego had released the balance of funds.

      Mission accomplished, she perceived grimly as she took a cab to her apartment, changed and freshened