Her Enemy With Benefits. Nicola Marsh

      She came on a drawn-out keen and it was enough to push him over the edge.

      His mind blanked as he blasted to outer space and back, despite the fact this had been a poor substitute for where he’d like to be.

      ‘Patrick?’

      ‘Hmm?’

      ‘I have a newfound respect for Skype.’

      ‘Good, because we’re having another business meeting tomorrow night.’

      Patrick was a glutton for punishment.

      It was the only explanation for why he’d agreed to personally drop off the fabric swatches to Ruby at Seaborns.

      Though it wasn’t Ruby he was hoping to see and he knew it.

      It had been two nights since his Skype session with Sap-phire and while he hadn’t contacted her since he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

      She invaded his every waking moment, and most sleeping ones too.

      His vow not to be distracted by her during preparations for this show was not working out so great.

      He didn’t like feeling this…confused. Women always held some fascination, but in the past he’d been able to relegate them to his downtime without a problem. But Sap-phire? Whether he was working, or at the gym burning off his frustration, she was there, in his mind, the echo of her pleasure reverberating in his ears until he couldn’t think straight.

      Turning up at Seaborns today was about proving to himself he wasn’t enthralled. That he had a grip on this thing between them. That he wasn’t such a schmuck he couldn’t control his libido.

      Then Sapphire opened the door and his blasé self-talk faded into oblivion.

      ‘Thanks for dropping the swatches by,’ she said, holding open the door and beckoning him in. ‘Ruby’s dying to match them to the latest batch of gems.’

      ‘No worries,’ he said, taking great care not to brush her as he entered.

      One touch and he’d take her up against the nearest glass display case.

      ‘Want a drink?’

      He swallowed his first response, a resounding no, and nodded out of politeness. ‘Sure, coffee would be great.’

      ‘Through here.’

      He followed her into a tiny kitchenette at the back of the showroom and immediately regretted his decision to stay, manners be damned. The room was no bigger than a box. A very tiny box that resulted in her light cinnamon peach perfume mingling with the coffee bean aroma and wrapping around him in a sweet, tempting blend.

      While the percolator did its thing, she propped herself against the bench and he struggled not to stare at the teal silk wraparound dress that did incredible things to her body and highlighted the sparkle in her eyes.

      ‘Can I see the swatches?’

      He wanted to fling the fabric samples at her and make a run for it while he still could. For he knew without a doubt that if she took a step towards him he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her.

      ‘Yeah.’

      He fished them out of his pocket and held the swatches at arm’s length, earning an amused smile.

      ‘For someone who was mighty forward the other night, I find your sudden reticence intriguing.’

      ‘Just take the swatches,’ he said, gritting his teeth against the urge to say more.

      Such as what he’d like to do to her right here, right now, up against the tiny kitchen bench.

      ‘You? Shy?’ She reached out and rubbed a piece of crimson satin between thumb and forefinger. ‘Rather cute.’

      He watched her feel the satin, how the soft material slid between her fingers, and counted to ten. Slowly.

      It didn’t work.

      He snagged her fingers and hauled her towards him, their bodies slamming into one another with enough force to leave them winded.

      He didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath, ravishing her mouth with the desperation of a man who’d been pushed to his limits.

      This idea of his to keep his distance, to keep distractions to a minimum—so not working.

      Her hands tangled in his hair, finding purchase, as he shoved her against the nearest wall and pressed into her.

      She groaned and he deepened the kiss, yearning to be inside her with a hunger that left him reeling.

      How could he be this out of control over a woman? One who could never be more than a fling, considering his long-term plans?

      Crazy.

      The percolator made a god-awful noise as it clicked off, the sound penetrating the sensual cocoon enveloping them.

      Sapphire broke the kiss, her chest heaving, her eyes flashing. ‘One sugar or two?’

      He laughed, easing the tension between them. ‘Two. With a double shot of brandy if you have it.’

      ‘Sorry, you’ll have to make do with sugar,’ she said, busying herself with organising the coffee but unable to hide the betraying tremble in her hands.

      He knew the feeling—this relentless, all-consuming craving that had him off-kilter.

      Maybe he was going about this all wrong? If an enforced absence wasn’t working, maybe he should try the opposite? Getting her out of his system?

      It couldn’t be any worse than the agonising torture he was going through now.

      ‘Come away with me for the weekend.’

      Her hand stilled, holding the kettle in mid-air as she poured boiling water into her mug.

      ‘I thought we were going to not see each other during the campaign—’

      ‘Screw it.’ He dragged his hand through his hair and took two steps, which constituted pacing in the tiny kitchenette. ‘We need to get this thing out of our systems, and staying apart isn’t helping, so let’s go for it.’

      ‘Well, when you put it like that, how can a girl refuse?’ She topped off her mug and placed the kettle on its stand.

      He winced. ‘Sorry, that didn’t come out right.’

      ‘I get it.’ She handed him his coffee. ‘We’re going a little stir crazy. I guess a weekend away can’t hurt.’

      ‘Great. I’ll set it up—e-mail you the details.’

      She nodded, cradling her mug, staring at him with wide eyes over the top of it.

      He couldn’t read the expression in those rich blue depths, but if she was half as shell-shocked as him he couldn’t blame her.

      Hopefully this impulsive weekend away would ease this clamouring attraction between them once and for all. And then he could concentrate on more important things—like putting his plans into action.

      ‘What’s got you in a tizz?’ Ruby held out an arm, effectively blocking Sapphie’s exit from her workshop.

      ‘Nothing,’ she said, wishing she hadn’t snapped at her sister. It was a sure-fire sign something was going on, considering she’d been nothing but the epitome of calm since Tenang.

      Before Patrick showed up, that was.

      Ruby pointed to a spare stool next to her workbench. ‘Sit. Spill.’

      Sapphie shrugged, pretending she didn’t have a care in the world, when all she could think about was getting naked with Patrick face to face. Or other bits to other bits, more precisely.

      ‘I’m getting angsty about the show.’

      Ruby