The Aristocrat and the Single Mom by Michelle Douglas Read Free Book Online

shouldn’t feel right.
    But when he eased back and grinned at her, she grinned back and they both remained exactly where they were.
    Carefully she detached her hand from his. ‘So you are going to wait for Felice?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘And you want to spend the next fortnight here in Nelson’s Bay?’
    ‘That’s right.’
    ‘The room Felice was using is free at the moment,’ she blurted out. ‘You can use it until she returns, if you like.’
    Simon drew back and stared at her. ‘Stay with you…in your house?’
    Good Lord, what was she doing? She gulped and swallowed and started to cough. ‘I mean, that’s not an invitation to…’ She gestured to that spot in the water again and found it impossible to meet his eye. ‘I mean, I don’t do…do…’
    He reached out and touched her knee, his smile kind. ‘I think what you’re trying to say is I’ll be firmly ensconced in the guest room.’
    She nodded because her throat had closed over at his touch and she couldn’t speak. When he removed his hand she wanted to sigh, but whether in relief or disappointment she didn’t know.
    ‘I would be honoured to accept your hospitality. And, Kate?’
    She glanced up, met the clear grey of his eyes. They’d lightened until they resembled the colour of mercury—the same colour as the bay at dawn.
    ‘I promise I will behave like a gentleman. You can trust me.’
    Could she? Yes, she had the distinct impression that she could. But could she trust herself?
    ‘And, to thank you for your hospitality, but also because I’d very much like to, may I take you out to dinner one night soon?’
    She pointed to the spot where they’d kissed. ‘That can’t happen again.’
    He met her gaze steadily. ‘It’s just a dinner invitation, Kate.’
    She should say no. ‘I’d like that,’ she found herself saying instead.
    ‘The date ends,’ he said gently, ‘when you open your front door.’
    It made her smile. He wanted to provide boundaries that would make her feel comfortable. She had a feeling that, despite their best intentions, one kiss would shatter those boundaries. It should make her feel wary. Instead, it fizzed her blood through her veins and made her want to throw her head back and sing.
    ‘Are you free tomorrow night?’ he asked.
    Tomorrow was Saturday. Reluctantly she shook her head. ‘The weekends are our busiest days on The Merry Dolphin .’
    He frowned. ‘The what?’
    ‘My boat— The Merry Dolphin . Look—’ she pointed ‘—there she is.’
    She watched The Merry Dolphin glide through the entrance to the marina before glancing back at Simon. His jaw had dropped. ‘That’s your boat?’
    ‘It is.’ She couldn’t contain a surge of pride. ‘Lovely, isn’t she?’
    ‘Yes.’
    But he was looking at her, not the boat. She tucked a nonexistent strand of hair behind her ear self-consciously. ‘If you like, you could spend the day on the boat with me tomorrow.’
    ‘I’d like that. And Sunday?’
    ‘I’m working a half day this Sunday. I should be finished by two o’clock. I’m free in the evening.’
    There was that sexy grin of his again. She scrambled to her feet before she could do something stupid—like kiss him again. ‘And now I have to meet with my accountant.’ She needed to get away, give herself a sensible talking-to.
    They arranged to meet back at her office in a couple of hours and, although she did have a long overdue appointment with her accountant, although she knew she needed to give herself a darn good talking-to, she found her feet dragging as she walked away from Simon in holiday-maker mode.

CHAPTER THREE
    S IMON couldn’t keep the anticipation out of his step as he turned into the arcade that led down to Kate’s office. On cue, as if she’d sensed him near, she stepped out of her door and locked it.
    Desire fire-balled low down in his stomach. Immediately. Without giving him time to draw breath. He stopped and feasted his eyes on her and decided breathing didn’t