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She opened the door with a rather grim expression on her face,
andstopped in surprise that bordered on shock to see Damien
standingthere, looking exceptionally pleased with himself. 'What do
you want?'Self-defence was automatic with Damien, and he grinned as
if heknew it was exactly that. He then stepped inside, after
lifting hereasily out of his way, his strong hands on her slender
waist. Sinceshe had seen him earlier his whole manner seemed to
have changed.He was simply amused, no anger or threat was
there.'I'm trying to calculate exactly how many times you've
greeted mewith similar words since I saw you again,' he said
thoughtfully. 'Youhave a collection of well-learned phrases?''It
was merely an astonished question!' Victoria snapped. 'I
didn'texpect to be accosted in my hotel bedroom. I have a
dinner-date.''Lloyd? I know,' he murmured, walking in and looking
round withinterest. 'He was downstairs when I came in. He looked so
agitatedthat I noticed him at once. I've sent him about his
business.''You've what?' Victoria's eyes turned a very dark green,
and helooked down at her in amusement, her growing rage merely
bringinga twinkle to the blue eyes.'I'll rephrase that, as you
don't understand. I sent him packing. Hewas early, as he told me.
He looked uncomfortably eager. I told him Ihad to talk to you
urgentlybusiness. Of course he understood. He'llring you
tomorrow.'87
'And I'll talk any business that's necessary tomorrow!' Victoria
saidsharply. 'I have to see the agent about selling the house
andcontents. I can spare a few minutes for you at about
ten-thirty.' Shetossed her head defiantly and he smiled at her.'I
don't want to talk business, sweetie,' he said softly, his
armsshooting out and capturing her by the waist. 'I came to take
you downto dinner. As Lloyd had beat me to it, I despatched him
rapidly.''And he let you!' Through the thin material of her robe
his hand waswarm and tempting; she spun away, biting into her lips
when sherealised that she had wanted him to go on holding her. It
was sheermadness.'Not everyone has your fighting spirit. He has an
eye to the mainchance in any case,' Damien murmured, leaning back
against the
door and eyeing her appreciatively. 'Heather is in my office. I
thinkher brother hopes I'll become fatally interested. I'd make a
usefulbrother-in-law, after all.''You may make whatever you want,
just so long as it doesn't concernme at all!' He smiled that cool
smile she had dreaded. 'I expected youto be almost ready. I
certainly expected you to be dressed,' hemurmured, his lips
quirking. 'Models are supposed to be very slick atchanging, aren't
they? Still, I imagine you're quite used to having menwait while
you drift around in your neglige.''All the time!' Victoria snapped.
'I never hesitated to answer the door.'She went perfectly still and
looked up at him as pointedly as she88could, realising immediately
that it was a mistakea big one. 'I
noticed!'His own face was still too, and the blue eyes were
dangerouslynarrowed, the humour quite gone. Defiance with Damien
shoulddefinitely be conducted at a distance. She tried to move
stealthilyaway, but his arm shot out and captured her, his grip
tightening asshe struggled.'I'll see you tomorrow, Damien,' she
said uneasily. 'You'll see metonight!' he countered. 'Dinner in
fifteen minutes, or we conduct ourbusiness right here and now.''I
don't want to have dinner with you!' she informed him fretfully,
trying
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again to step free, and he pulled her into his arms, looking
down ather with brilliant, narrowed eyes.'I'm not particularly
interested in dinner, either,' he murmured quietly.'It's more
private here for the discussion I have in mind. We'll stayhere.'He
pulled her close. He was still leaning against the door and
shefound herself moulded to his strength as his arms came tightly
aroundher.'II know why you're doing this!' she said frantically.
'You're trying toforce me toto''I won't have to force you,' he
taunted softly, his hand capturing herwildly moving head. 'You
never needed forcing, once you got the89general idea. In fact, you
surprised me. I had no notion you were soeager. You've had plenty
of practice since then. I'm very anxious tofind out how much.'
