The Right Bride?. Jessica Steele

      One of the reasons I ran away was because I didn’t want to be touched—because I couldn’t bear it any longer.

      And this man—this stranger—has no right to make me feel like this—as if my skin was made of silk, and my bones were dissolving. He has no right at all.

      At last he paused, running a light finger along the rim of her bikini briefs but venturing no further, and she released her held breath, thinking that her ordeal was over.

      Only to find herself stifling a startled whimper when he began to anoint the backs of her thighs, moving gently down to reach the sensitive area in the bend of her knees.

      ‘Alors.’ With sudden briskness, he recapped the bottle and put it down beside her. ‘The rest I am sure you can manage for yourself.’

      ‘Thank you,’ she said with icy politeness. ‘But I think I’ve had enough sun for one day.’

      ‘Perhaps you are wise,’ he said, faint amusement in his voice. ‘Why take more risks with such a charming body?’

      Her throat tightened. ‘Thank you for your concern,’ she said. ‘But I can look after myself.’

      She fumbled for the edges of her bra top and tried to bring them together across her slippery skin, with fingers made clumsy through haste.

      ‘Of course—as you prove so constantly, ma belle.’ She could hear him smiling, damn him. ‘Permettez-moi.’ He took the strips of material from her, and deftly hooked them into place.

       Too bloody deftly altogether…

      She sat up, pushing her hair back from her flushed face with a defensive hand. ‘Does that fulfil your quota of good deeds for the day?’ she asked stiffly. ‘Or do you have other visits to make? Because I wouldn’t wish to delay you on your errands of mercy.’

      He studied her for a moment. ‘Why do you speak to me as if I were your enemy, Alys?’

      Her colour deepened. ‘I—don’t,’ she denied shortly.

      ‘No?’ His mouth twisted wryly. ‘Then I hope we do not meet when you wish to be hostile.’

      She took a swift breath. ‘I would actually prefer it, monsieur, if we didn’t meet at all after this.’ She lifted her chin. ‘You got me out of a nasty situation the other day, and I shall always be grateful for that. But now I would really like to be left in peace to—to enjoy my vacation without any further intervention from you. I’m sure you understand.’

      ‘I think I begin to,’ Remy de Brizat said slowly. ‘Tell me, Alys, do all men make you so nervous, or is it just myself?’

      She gasped. ‘I’m not the slightest bit nervous—of you, or anyone.’

      ‘Then prove it,’ he said, ‘together with this gratitude you say you feel, and have lunch with me tomorrow.’

      ‘Lunch?’ she echoed in disbelief. ‘But why should I do any such thing?’

      He shrugged. ‘I have already given you two good reasons,’ he said. ‘Besides, everyone needs to eat, and midday is considered a convenient time by most people.’ The blue eyes considered her again, more thoroughly. ‘And you are a little underweight, you know.’

      She lifted her chin. ‘Is that in your medical opinion, or for your personal taste?’ she queried coldly.

      He grinned at her. ‘I think—both.’

      Well, she’d asked for that, but it didn’t improve her temper or weaken her resolve to keep him at bay.

      He had a proud face, she thought, stealing a lightning glance at him from under her lashes. There was even a hint of arrogance in the high cheekbones and the cool lines of his mouth.

      This was a man who was almost certainly unused to rejection, and equally unlikely to take it well.

      I don’t suppose, Allie mused, he’s ever been stood up in his life. And—who knows?—it might teach him a muchneeded lesson. And, more importantly, it will demonstrate that I’m not available. Let’s hope he takes the hint.

      She shrugged a bare shoulder, half smiling, as if resigned to her fate.

      ‘Very well, then. Lunch it is. As you say, we all need to eat.’ She paused. ‘What do you propose?’

      There was a brief silence, then he said slowly, ‘There is a good restaurant on the road towards Benodet—Chez Lucette. You think you can find it?’

      ‘Of course.’

      ‘Bon. Then, shall we say—twelve-thirty?’

      ‘Perfect.’ Allie looked down demurely. ‘I—look forward to it, monsieur.’

      His brows lifted. ‘Still not Remy?’

      ‘After lunch,’ she said, and smiled. ‘Perhaps.’

      He said softly, ‘I shall live in hope. A bientôt.’ And went.

      Left alone, Allie realised she was as breathless as if she’d been running in some marathon. It was a reaction she was not accustomed to, and it scared her.

      All I had to do, she thought, swallowing, was tell him, ‘I’m married.’ And he would never have troubled me again. It was that simple. So why didn’t I say it? Why let him go on thinking I’m single? Available?

      Oh, stop beating yourself up, she adjured herself impatiently. As long as you brush him off, why worry about the method? And after tomorrow he certainly won’t be coming round again.

      She would change her brand of sun oil, too, she decided broodingly. Find an alternative with a different scent—one that wouldn’t remind her of the play of his hands as he massaged it into her warm skin each time she smelt it.

      She said aloud, ‘Whatever it takes, I will be left in peace. And to hell with Remy de Brizat.’

      ‘Are you quite well, chérie?’ Tante studied her anxiously. ‘You seem tense—restless—this morning.’

      ‘I’m fine,’ Allie assured her, wandering out into the garden to sneak a look at her watch. Twenty-five past twelve, she thought. Excellent. He should be at Chez Lucette by now, and ordering his aperitif. Probably looking at his watch too, gauging my arrival.

      I wonder how long he’ll wait before it dawns on him that he’s struck out for once? That I’ve not simply been delayed, but that I shan’t be joining him at all?

      And what will he do then? Eat alone at his table for two? Or pretend he has an urgent case to go to before the egg hardens on his face?

      Whatever—it serves him right, she told herself defensively, although she was totally unable to rationalise this conviction.

      And she was sure there were plenty of ladies in the locality who would be happy to help soothe his bruised ego, she added, ramming her clenched hands into the pockets of her skirt.

      ‘Alys?’ Tante was calling from the back door, surprise in her voice. ‘Alys, you have a visitor.’

      She swung round just in time to see Remy de Brizat walk out into the garden. He was dressed much as he had been the day before, with emphasis on the casual, his sunglasses pushed up on his forehead.

      For a moment, Allie could only gape at him. When she spoke, her voice was husky with shock. ‘What are you doing here? I—I don’t understand…’

      His smile was sardonic. ‘I decided against the restaurant after all, ma belle. It occurred to me that you would have difficulties in getting there. So I put food and wine in the car so that we can picnic instead.’ He added solicitously, ‘I hope you are not too disappointed?’

      ‘No,’ she said. ‘That’s not the word I’d have chosen.’ She swallowed. ‘How did you know that I wouldn’t meet