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  “Sarah,” he breathed as they moved in perfect tandem, hips rolling as he moved in and out of her. He kissed her lips, her face, her neck, then took a nipple in his mouth.

  Sarah moaned, leaning back and arching her chest toward him. He flicked his tongue, laving her hard nipple and loving her reaction. The rocking of her pelvis against his was getting faster, and her gasps getting louder. He reached in between their bodies and rubbed her clit with his thumb.

  “Oh God, Jeff,” Sarah cried, her hips grinding faster still, her body sheathing his hardness in the most pleasurable way.

  “Did you miss this, baby?” he asked gruffly, his own breathing hot and heavy.

  “Yes,” she mewled.

  Together they rocked, their bodies fused as one as they soared to their heaven. When Sarah keened and her body clamped around him, he gathered her tighter.

  “Sarah... oh, baby...” he breathed in awe as he exploded inside her, trembling as he held her in his arms.

  *

  “I have to go back to my room,” Sarah murmured sleepily.

  “Have to?” he asked, running his fingers lightly over her arm. “You don’t have to.”

  Sarah shifted so she was lying on his chest, staring at him. “I think we should still keep this quiet while Marilyn is around. She still likes you, Jeff. I don’t want her to feel hurt and uncomfortable.”

  He lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “You two have been talking?”

  “She just told me a couple of things. Anyway, I think she’s a nice person who doesn’t deserve to have your relationship with me rubbed in her face. Not this week, especially when she’s here as your guest.”

  He tucked her hair behind her ear, touched that she could be that considerate about someone he used to sleep with. “Okay. As long as you’re back here tomorrow night.”

  Sarah grinned her lovely, sunshiny smile. “As early as I can, honey.”

  He sighed contentedly. That was a smile that could make him do anything she wanted. Anything.

  “So what else did you and Marilyn talk about?” he asked.

  “Not much. We only spoke for a couple of minutes.”

  “Was she at all bitchy to you?”

  “No. Not at all. Although she thinks we’re only having a fling, so I don’t know how she’d react if she finds out I’m your real girlfriend now. And I think she’s still jealous of your ex-fiancée.”

  “Bianca? Why?”

  “She thinks you’re not over her.”

  “Oh. I’m surprised she thinks that.”

  Sarah buried her face in his neck. “Well, I’m glad she’s in New York,” she murmured.

  “Why? You think I’m not over her?”

  “It’s not that. I just have a thing with exes still being in the picture. I’m glad I could enjoy my new relationship with you without having to worry about you crossing paths with her.”

  He opened his mouth to set the record straight, but shut it again. This night was special. It wasn’t the time for disclosures. Besides, he and his brothers might still decide not to give Bianca an ongoing role, so there was no point upsetting Sarah about his ex being around.

  He squeezed Sarah tighter, forcefully ignoring the worry that sprouted its ugly head.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Sarah stretched as she awoke, the delicious aching in some of her muscles reminding her of the hours of incredible pleasure she’d spent in Jeff’s arms last night.

  She glanced at the clock and bolted out of bed. Well, she tried to. A heavy Jeff was wrapped around her, trapping her in the bed with him.

  “Jeff, I have to get up,” she whispered, shaking him awake.

  He mumbled and tightened his arm and leg around her.

  She smiled, caressing his hair. She loved waking up next to him. “Honey, I have to get up. Let me go,” she repeated.

  “No,” he murmured sleepily, puckering his lips and blindly kissing her face.

  “It’s almost nine and your grandmother would have been up for ages. We usually have breakfast together.”

  “It’s the weekend. Don’t you get a day off?”

  “Technically, weekends are my days off and I could do whatever I want. But I generally just spend them here and do what I do with your gran. So she’s used to me having breakfast with her everyday.”

  “There are other people around. She has plenty of company this weekend—for the next couple of weeks, in fact,” Jeff said, kissing her shoulder.

  “But she’ll wonder what’s happened to me.”

  “You can tell her you slept in. She won’t mind,” he said, running his hand along her naked back and bottom.

  Oh, she wanted to purr at his touch. “I suppose you’re right. She does have plenty of company today.”

  “Yes. And wouldn’t you rather keep me company in bed?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

  Jeff’s phone rang, startling them both. He groaned and reluctantly picked it up, keeping his arm around her so she wouldn’t go anywhere.

  She sighed and settled on his chest with a contented smile. Could she really resist when the man she loved wanted to keep her in his bed?

  “Hey, bro, what’s up?” Jeff said to the caller. “...Oh yeah, I forgot... Are you?... Okay. Sorry. I’ll be there soon.”

  “Was that Zach?”

  “Yeah. I forgot we were supposed to go to the winery to talk about a couple of issues.”

  “It’s the weekend. Don’t you get a day off?” she teased.

  Jeff chuckled. “Not today. Anyway, I’m afraid that we do have to get up. I’ll probably be out and about with Zach most of the day, inspecting things and talking to the weekend managers, so I might not see you until later this afternoon.”

  “Okay. I’ll spend the day with Bec and Amanda,” she said, already feeling melancholy that she wouldn’t see him for a week. How pathetic was that? She shook her head at herself.

  “What?” Jeff asked.

  “Nothing. I’m just thinking I won’t see you for a week.”

  Jeff grinned, pulling her back in his arms and kissing her lips. “I’m already looking forward to some hot sexing when I come back. That’s sure to occupy my mind for the whole week.”

  “Is that all you ever think about? Sex?” she asked with a mock frown.

  “Can’t help it. You’re too hot,” he said, cupping a breast.

  She playfully swatted his hand away. “Okay, stop. We need to get up.”

  “Fine,” he said with a loud sigh. “Just remember that it’s my birthday next week. So I should have a double dose of you.”

  “And since it will be your birthday, don’t forget that you’ll have guests who’ll be here for the weekend. You’ll have to be up for hours entertaining them.”

  Jeff groaned and she giggled.

  *****

  “Hey girls!” Sarah said to Amanda and Rebecca, who were looking oh-so-relaxed sitting in the inviting Jacuzzi in the pool house.

  “Here she is,” Amanda said. “We were thinking Jeff’s bed might have eaten you up.”

  “Or Jeff might have,” Rebecca giggled.

  Sarah chuckled.

  “Last night, I debated whether to wait up for you or not,” Amanda said. “But when midnight came and you still didn’t turn up, I decided to go to sleep. Good thing I did. Because when I woke up, your bed wasn’t even slept in.”

  “Sorry,” Sarah said, joining the girls in the hot tub. “I wasn’t planning to spend all night in Jeff’s room, but I just fell asleep there. When I woke up it was already morning.”

  “Zach had waited for Jeff since eight thirty so they could walk to the winery through the vineyards. He was going to knock on Jeff’s door to see what was keeping him, but I told him to ring instead.”

  “Thanks, hon,” Sarah said. “We didn’t mean to sleep in.”

  “Late night, huh,” Amanda said.

  Sarah grinned. “Very.”

  “Marilyn was asking where you were this morning,” Rebecca said. “She saw us having breakf
ast and you weren’t there.”

  “I saved you and said you were still in bed,” Amanda quipped.

  “Oh, thanks,” Sarah said. “I don’t really want her seeing proof of Jeff and me sleeping together, even though she knows we are. Were all of you there for breakfast? Even Magda and Olga?”

  “No. The grandmothers and Marilyn didn’t have breakfast with us. They went to have it at Marilyn’s godmother’s place not far from here. Apparently, the godmother is also Magda and Olga’s long-time friend.”

  “Did Magda say anything about me not being around to make her tea? I’ve made it for her everyday since we arrived here.”

  “Well, fortunately, Zach and I were already having breakfast when she came out,” Rebecca said. “I made her tea. She didn’t ask where you were. Knowing Gran, I wouldn’t be surprised if she already knows about you and Jeff.”

  “Hmm. I was telling Jeff we need to keep things cool in public for Marilyn’s sake. She specifically sought me out to apologise and give some friendly advice. I don’t want to be walking around the place making her feel uncomfortable—or hurt.”

  “So you and Jeff are ready to come out? What does that mean?” Amanda asked.

  Sarah grinned. “Well, we spoke last night and we decided to end our fling and officially date.”

  “Really? How did that happen?”

  Sarah told them about her night with Jeff—omitting the details of their hot sex.

  “Wow,” Rebecca said. “I’m surprised. But I’m glad for you, honey.”

  “Well, it’s still all new,” Sarah said. “I was actually prepared to go back to my room and cry on Amanda’s shoulder all night. But his response surprised me. I wasn’t expecting it.”

  “There you go. You never know when playboys might change their spots,” Amanda said.

  “Actually, Marilyn told me yesterday Jeff wasn’t always a playboy,” Sarah said. “She said she noticed how he’d changed after his ex-fiancée broke up with him. I kind of think there’s some truth in her observation because I’ve thought the same thing too.”

  “Changed as in how? He started to sleep around because he became free?” Amanda asked.

  “No. That he must have been so shattered that he’d closed himself off to other women.” Sarah grimaced. Just thinking about Jeff being so in love with someone else pricked at her heart, even if it was in the past.

  “Hey, that was two years ago,” Rebecca said. “Surely, he’s over his ex by now. He wouldn’t have wanted a committed relationship with you if he still wasn’t.”

  Sarah sighed, reassured by Rebecca’s words.

  *****

  “I’ll see you next week,” Sarah said to Jeff as they kissed goodbye in the privacy of his bedroom.

  “Yes. On my birthday,” Jeff replied against her lips.

  “I still don’t know what to get you,” she said with a little whine.

  “Get me? No, baby. You don’t need to get me anything. But I want to you give me something. And you know what that is,” he murmured.

  “You just had one,” she teased.

  “So? That’s for today. By the time next weekend comes, you’ll owe me a whole week’s worth of sex. Since it’s my birthday, you have to double the amount.”

  She giggled. “You really are a sex machine.”

  “You wouldn’t have me any other way,” he said smugly, squeezing her behind and pressing her hips against his.

  She couldn’t help the little whimper that came out of her. Jeff didn’t have to do much to arouse her. Just his proximity made her crave. Around him, she was just as much as a sex machine as he was.

  Jeff’s phone rang. “Hrrm. Whoever it is can wait,” he said impatiently, pulling the vibrating thing out of his pocket and tossing it on the bed.

  Sarah glimpsed the screen. “What kind of name is ‘Bee’?”

  “What?” Jeff asked, startled.

  “The person calling you. Bee. That’s a funny name.”

  “Oh, that’s someone from work,” Jeff said, picking up the phone and heading out of the room. “I’ll take this quickly, babe.”

  “Okay,” she said with a sigh. Whoever that was must be on a weekend shift, or it could be an emergency. She followed him out and heard snippets of his conversation.

  “Could it wait?... I see... Yes, it makes sense... Okay, I’ll see you tonight. Bye.”

  “You’re working on a Sunday night?” she asked incredulously.

  “Yeah,” Jeff said, raking his hair. “It’s to do with the reopening of the hotel. As you know, it’s fast approaching and there are still things that need to be tied up here and there.”

  “I feel sorry for this Bee person for having to work on a Sunday night,” she said, curving her arms around Jeff’s neck. “Did you know that I’m allergic to bee stings?”

  “You are?”

  “Yes. Nothing life-threatening but enough to get me scared of those little buzzing insects.”

  “Not good,” Jeff murmured.

  “No. And it’s also not good that you’re working on a Sunday night. I hope you’re not burning yourself out.”

  “You sound like Gran,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Well, we both care about you,” she murmured.

  Jeff smiled and gave her a sweet kiss.

  “So does this mean you have to go now? We have time for one last round, don’t we?” She placed hot little kisses on his neck.

  “Sorry, babe. But I better go so I won’t get to Sydney too late.”

  She put on a mock pout. “Okay.”

  Jeff sighed, a worried frown marring his features.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He looked like he was going to say something but just shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll just miss you.”

  “A lot?” she teased.

  “More than a lot.”

  She beamed at him. “I’ll miss you too.”

  The kiss Jeff gave her was sweet but way too brief, but she let him go. When it came to him, she’d just become too greedy.

  Maybe she could go to the gym and get on the treadmill for a few minutes to burn off her unassuaged sexual tension. Or she could have a few laps in the pool.

  Guilt hit her. Here she was, having the rest of the day to do as she wished while her boyfriend had to drive for over two hours back to Sydney to work. She resolved to give Jeff a call late tonight to say goodnight.

  And she hoped that the Carmichaels were paying Bee—whoever he or she was—enough money. Poor Bee, having to work on a Sunday night.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Jeff walked toward the restaurant where he’d agreed to meet Bianca. Even after the two-and-a-bit-hour drive from the Hunter Valley, the guilt that was sitting in his chest hadn’t gone away.

  He’d lied to Sarah. Well, technically, he hadn’t. Bianca’s call and this dinner were indeed work-related. But he’d omitted to tell Sarah an important fact. He should have told her it was his ex-fiancée he was having dinner with.

  It was too late to turn back the clock now. He’d just have to confess next week. Being his birthday, hopefully Sarah wouldn’t get too mad that he hadn’t mentioned earlier that his ex-fiancée was working with him again. After all, he and Sarah had only just decided to get serious and there hadn’t been that much time to discuss some important things. Plus he hadn’t wanted to ruin their first weekend as a couple by talking about Bianca.

  Those were reasonable enough excuses, weren’t they? Forgivable enough.

  They better be. Because the thought of Sarah getting angry and hurt scared the hell out of him.

  Considering Sarah’s sweet and sunny disposition though, he felt confident that she would be understanding of the situation. Besides, he’d make sure she knew how much he truly cared about her.

  “Jeff!”

  Bianca was crossing the road to meet him, wearing a sexy black number and high heels. “How was the drive?” she asked, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Not bad, thanks. Shall we go in?” />
  *

  “We have a long line-up of publications that would be featuring the reopening of Magda’s Place in three weeks,” Bianca said as they enjoyed their dessert. “The only place where we wouldn’t have a mention is at Lifestyle by Design magazine, since we won’t be featured there until June.”

  “We will be on Lifestyle next month, not June,” he informed her. “We’re even on the front cover.”

  “Wait a minute,” Bianca said with a frown. “That’s not the information I have. My boss told me that even with intense negotiations, the earliest we were able to get at Lifestyle is in June.”

  “That’s no longer true,” he said.

  “How?” Bianca asked, her eyes wide with scepticism. “Ray Thackery’s reputation for refusing to mess with his magazine’s schedule is legendary. I remember we tried a few years ago, but he wouldn’t even bend his back for rich and powerful people like you. So how did you do it this time?”

  Jeff couldn’t help his chuckle. Bianca sounded both pissed off and very impressed. “I think we owe that to Rebecca and Zach,” he answered.

  “Who’s Rebecca?”

  “Zach’s fiancée.”

  “Oh, right. Yes, you told me that Zach was getting married. But what do you mean, Jeff? How did they do it? I really need to know!”

  He snickered. That was the thing he admired about Bianca. She was as aggressive as anyone he’d known when it came to getting to the top of her field. She shared that trait with him and his brothers.

  “Last Friday night, Zach and Bec attended the birthday party of Bec’s brother Trey,” he said. “Ray Thackery happened to be there too. Apparently, Ray’s the brother-in-law of Dylan Summers—Trey’s best friend and business partner. Anyway, they all got to talking and Zach found out that next month’s cover and feature article were actually reserved for Trey’s company. Fortunately, June would work just as well for the other guys as they have a new announcement to make during that month. So Zach was able to swap dates with them over some alcohol, food and conversations about weddings and wives.”

  “Oh,” Bianca said with a pout. “I don’t think I can replicate that. That was luck and coincidence. But,” she continued, gathering a few sheets and handing them to him. “Here’s what else I’ve been able to do.”