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‘Well, you’ve certainly done an excellent job of serving Templar Resources.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’
‘Oh, I think you’d be an asset to anyone, Miss York. Or may I call you Sunny?’
‘If you like,’ she gabbled, trying not to read too much into his charming manner.
‘It suits you. You project a warmth that makes everyone want to bask in it.’
He was projecting a warmth that was sending her dizzy. She was tempted to glance at him, to check the expression on his face, but didn’t quite dare. It was difficult enough to remain reasonably sensible when she was so affected by his close presence. If he caught her looking at him and held her gaze, she might melt into a mindless heap.
‘What do you wish to see on our walk?’ he asked pleasantly.
She had no plan. Her only thought had been to get out of the casino. ‘I…I just wanted…more of a feel for the city…before I leave.’
‘I suppose, in a way, you could call it a very romantic city…full of dreams.’
Shattered dreams if you’re a loser.
The flash of Derek was unwelcome, bringing with it the empty feeling of no marriage and no babies to look forward to. But she could never accept Derek as a husband or the father of her children now. It was definitely for the best that she’d found out what she would have been getting in him.
‘The re-creation of romantic cities in the newer hotels—Venice, Paris, New York. They’re quite fantastic facsimiles of the real thing,’ Bryce Templar remarked, continuing his romance comment. ‘Have you had a look at them?’
Sunny struggled to get her mind back on track with his. ‘The Venetian and Paris, yes. They’re amazing.’
‘Well, we’re walking in the right direction to see New York, New York. The Excalibur and the Luxor are further on beyond it. Very striking with their Medieval and Egyptian architectural themes.’
Suddenly struck by his indulgence towards what he perceived as her wishes, Sunny began seriously wondering what he wanted with her. Here he was, strolling along the Boulevard, playing guide to her tourist…what was it leading to? They reached an intersection and had to stop for the traffic lights to change. Taking a deep breath, and steeling herself to cope with the nerve-shaking magnetism of the man, Sunny turned to face him.
‘Your time must be valuable,’ she stated, her eyes quickly searching his for a true response.
‘Isn’t everyone’s?’ he replied.
‘Yes. But…’ She floundered as he smiled, showing obvious pleasure in her company.
‘You need to relax. So do I. Is there any reason we shouldn’t relax together?’
‘No,’ she answered breathlessly, her pulse going haywire at the realisation he was attracted to her, man to woman attraction. No mistake. No flight of fancy. The spark of sexual connection was in his eyes—the keen interest, the desire to know more, the hunter’s gleam that said she was worth pursuing and he meant to pursue.
‘Good!’ There was a wealth of satisfaction in that one simple word. He reached out and gently cupped her elbow. ‘The lights have changed. Let’s go with the flow.’
The flow Sunny felt had nothing to do with the stream of people crossing the street with them. She was barely aware of them. The hand lightly holding her arm had the mental force of a physical brand…like Bryce Templar was claiming possession of her, burning his ownership through the sleeve of her suit-coat and making her sizzle with possibilities she would not have believed in a few moments ago.
Bryce Templar…wanting her. She hadn’t been completely crazy back in the hotel lobby. But what did it mean to him? Was it his habit to pluck a woman out of a crowd—someone he fancied—and just go after her? It probably was that easy for a man like him. What woman would refuse the chance to…?
Shock stopped that thought from reaching its natural conclusion. Fanciful lusting was one thing. Real flesh-and-blood lusting was something else. Did she want to be a one-night stand for Bryce Templar, finishing off his trip to Las Vegas—a bit of relaxation, satisfying a sexual urge? Surely that was all it could be. She was an Australian, on her way back to Sydney tomorrow. An easy goodbye.
‘How would you feel about transferring to the U.S., Sunny?’
It startled her into a fast re-think. ‘You mean…leave Sydney…for here?’
‘Not here. Your base would be Los Angeles. Or New York. They hold our biggest operations.’
Business!
Was she hopelessly out of kilter, imagining the sexual stuff?
Totally confused, Sunny tried to come to grips with this new question. A career move…an upward career move…out of her own country.
‘Would you find that too much of a wrench?’ he asked quietly. ‘I realise it’s a big ask, particularly if you’re close to your family.’
Her family…Sunny almost groaned as she envisaged telling her mother and sisters she’d broken her engagement to Derek. No wedding. No marriage. No babies. She’d been a failure as a woman in their eyes for years and there she’d be, proving it again. Almost thirty and couldn’t find Mr. Right. Sympathy would be directed to her face, pity behind her back, and she’d hate every minute of it.
‘I have my own life to lead,’ she said on a surge of proud independence.
‘No family?’ he queried.
‘I have two married sisters and my mother is very involved with her grandchildren. My father died some years ago. I’d be missed…and I’d miss them…’ She flashed him a look of self-determination. ‘…but I would certainly consider an offer.’
Triumph glinted in his eyes. ‘Then I’ll make it as attractive as I can.’
Her heart jumped into another gallop. It wasn’t her imagination. This was highly personal. And he wanted her on hand for more than one night!
‘The package would include a generous travel allowance,’ he assured her. ‘Which will enable you to visit your family on a reasonably frequent basis.’
Behind her, music suddenly boomed out over loudspeakers. So dazed was Sunny by the revelation that Bryce Templar was very intent on getting her where he wanted her, she almost leapt out of her skin at the fanfare of trumpets, her head jerking around, half expecting to see a triumphal parade for the victory being planned in the green eyes.
‘It’s heralding the dance of the fountains at the Bellagio,’ Bryce informed her. ‘Come…it’s worth seeing.’
His arm went around her waist, sweeping her with him and holding her protectively as he steered her through the crowd gathering along the sidewalk to enjoy the promised spectacle. He didn’t push or shove. People simply gave way to him, standing back to let him and his companion through to a prime watching position against the Italian-style balustrade that edged the man-made lake in front of the Bellagio Hotel.
He stood half behind her, dropping his hand onto the balustrade on her far side to keep her encircled in the shelter of his arm, though no longer touching her. It was an extraordinary feeling—being protected and cared for by this big man. Sunny couldn’t help revelling in it. She was so used to fending for herself, it was wonderful to wallow in the sense of being a woman whose man was looking after everything for her, ensuring her pleasure.
Except he wasn’t actually her man. But could he be? In a very real sense? The very male solidity of the body so close to hers was real enough. So was her response to it. If she leaned back…made deliberate contact…what would happen?
Recognising the wanton recklessness in that temptation, Sunny held still, telling herself to wait for his moves. It ill behove her to instigate anything, especially when she wasn’t in his social league. She’d made a fool of herself, believing she could share her life with Derek. How big a fool might she be, reading far too much between the lines of Bryce Templar’s proposition?
A row of high water spouts started running right across the lake. Circles of fountains shot into the air. The music moved into the tune of ‘Big Spender’ and the high lines of water looped and swayed and bopped to the rhythm like a human chorus line, dancing to a choreography that required perfect timing.
It was an entrancing sight, yet the song being used struck a raw place in Sunny, reminding her this city revolved around gambling and all the lavish glamour, luxury and service were designed to draw people into big spending. Derek could very well be ruining himself here. Though the responsibility for that lay squarely with him, no one else.
Would she be ruining her life, impulsively linking it to whatever Bryce Templar wanted?
A gamble, she thought. A big gamble on a big man. An absolutely magnificent man who made her feel…exceedingly primitive.
The fountains whooshed high in a fabulous finale, then seemed to bow before gracefully dropping back under the surface of the lake, their dance over.
‘That was lovely,’ Sunny breathed, and with her eyes still sparkling appreciately, turned to look directly at the man who was fast infiltrating every aspect of her life. She realised instantly that his gaze had been fixed on her hair. It slid from the soft mass of waves to meet hers, transmitting a sensual simmering that caught what breath she had left in her throat. The rest of her words emerged as a husky whisper. ‘Thank you for showing it to me.’
For one electrifying moment he looked at her mouth. The blast of raw desire she felt emanating from him scrambled her mind. Her lips remained slightly parted, quivering in wanton anticipation.
Then he dragged his gaze back to hers, locking onto it with searing force as he murmured, ‘Your pleasure is my pleasure.’
Her breasts prickled. Her stomach clenched. A tremor of excitement ran down her thighs. Her only conscious thought, rising out of the raging desire he stirred was…
It was real…his wanting her…as real as her wanting him right back…and if she didn’t take this gamble she might be missing the experience of a lifetime.
CHAPTER FOUR
BRYCE only just managed to stop himself from kissing Sunny York right then and there. The desire to ravish the mouth she seemed to be offering him was totally rampant. Only a belated sense of where they were—on a public street with a crowd of tourists around them—gave him pause, and his brain seized the pause to flash a neon-bright danger signal.
He was out of control.
Even so the physical rebellion against the warning was sharp and intense. But being in control had ruled his life so long, his mind automatically equated that factor with success, and losing this woman with rash action at this point was unacceptable. She had been skittish up until now. Moving too fast might frighten her off. It wasn’t smart to assume too much too soon, not when so much was hanging on the outcome of one night with her.
Dumping Kristen.
Marrying Sunny York.
Persuading her into a pregnancy she might not want.
It was a huge leap for him to take. How much bigger for her, without his cogent reasons firing the impulse to take this alternative road?
He stepped back, gesturing a continuation of their stroll. ‘A little slice of New York awaits you up ahead.’
Her beautiful amber eyes reflected inner confusion. Her vulnerability to what he was doing smote his conscience for a moment. She was afloat from her broken engagement, undoubtedly wanting an escape from the hurt to both heart and pride, and he was ruthlessly intent on drawing her into his net.
But he would look after her and give her a life full of riches if she came his way.
With that soothing justification riding on the advantage he knew he was taking, Bryce slid into charm mode, offering a whimsical little smile as he sought to ease her personal turmoil with outside interests.
‘The Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building are somewhat scaled down since they’re merely dressing up a hotel, but very recognisable,’ he said encouragingly.
She gave her head a little shake, alerting Bryce even more forcefully to the danger of moving too fast. She’d have to be totally insensitive to miss the sexual signals he’d been giving out and he suspected she was all too aware of them, given the way she’d been evading looking at him and the tension emanating from her. Although part of that could have been the need to hide her distress over the guy she’d just broken with.
‘Have you had any first-hand experience of New York?’ he quickly asked, talking to re-establish a more comfortable connection for her.
‘Yes, but only a few days’ sightseeing.’ She hesitated, her eyes scanning his uncertainly. ‘Not…not business.’
‘What was your impression of it?’ he pressed, relieved when she stepped forward, indicating her willingness to go on with him.
‘It had an exciting energy…the sense of a lot happening.’ Her mouth curved into a musing smile. ‘Extra-wide sidewalks. Hot dogs, with an amazing range of choices for spicing them up. Delicatessens with exotic food. Caramel apples…’
He laughed. ‘You must really enjoy food.’
‘Yes, I do.’ Her smile turned lopsided. ‘My sisters accuse me of having hollow legs.’
‘That has to be envy.’ Her incredibly sexy legs were an instant source of erotic fantasies.
‘Oh, I doubt they envy me much…except not having to diet.’
‘Then I hope you’ll have dinner with me. I shall enjoy eating with a woman who likes food and doesn’t see it as the enemy to be kept at bay.’ He slanted her a teasing glance. ‘You will eat more than lettuce leaves?’
She laughed. It was a delightful gurgle, spontaneous, warmly responsive. ‘We can skip salad altogether if you like.’
‘I take it that’s a yes to dinner?’
She scooped in a big breath. ‘Yes.’
Elation zoomed through him. He didn’t care if this was some kind of emotional payback to the guy back in the casino, who clearly hadn’t valued her enough. She was coming his way…plunging ahead with reckless disregard for caution.
After all, he triumphantly reasoned, what did she have to lose? His cynical side told him if it was pride driving her, he represented a top replacement in the lover stakes. What he was offering had to be all gain from her point of view—better prospects for her career, a transfer away from her erstwhile fiancé, and an enviable reason to remove herself from any criticism by her family with the CEO of Templar Resources taking a personal interest in her.
But falling into bed with him might not be on her agenda.
She might not see that as wise—in her position as his employee—or, indeed, desirable in a personal sense, given her very recent disillusionment with her fiancé. On the other hand, there was always impulse.
Bryce started planning a seduction scene as he continued chatting to her, building a rapport to bridge what he had in mind.
Sunny couldn’t believe her luck. Dinner with Bryce Templar. Dinner for two. Beautiful man, beautiful food, beautiful wine—probably the finest champagne to celebrate her taking up his proposition. Except she didn’t quite know what his proposition was, apart from its involving her transfer to the U.S. And the personal element.
A convulsive little shiver ran down her spine. Was sex on the side the pay-off for a big career promotion? She quickly shut her mind to that creepy-crawly thought. Bryce Templar liked her. She could tell from the way he was talking to her. He wasn’t just making conversation. He was enjoying the to-and-fro, smiling, laughing, connecting on all levels.
He was clearly interested in her as a person—what level of education she’d had, the various positions she’d held, leading to her current one, everything she’d done with her life so far, her likes, dislikes. In fact, Sunny was so intoxicated by his charm, it took her a while to realise he was actually conducting an in-depth interview while they wandered along the boulevard.
This was a somewhat sobering thought. Though reassuring, as well. It had to mean he was seriously considering where she could best be used in the company business, and more importantly, he didn’t seem at all put off by anything she’d said.
He wasn’t touching her, either. From the moment he’d stepped back from that highly charged moment in front of the Bellagio Hotel, he’d made no physical contact with her. Plenty of exhilarating eye contact, but nothing physical. Perhaps he had stepped right back from sexual temptation, deciding an intimate liaison with her was inappropriate.
Which, of course it was, Sunny told herself. If she held his high esteem, well…that was something very positive. Yet she couldn’t stop her gaze from surreptitiously wandering over him whenever he paused in his role of tourist guide, pointing things out to her.
The muscular breadth of his chest caught her eye as they lingered under the Statue of Liberty at New York, New York, watching the roller-coaster that looped around the hotel, its riders screaming their excitement. A woman would surely feel safe, held to all that strength, and as a father, he would easily be able to carry two or three children, clutched in his arms or perched on those shoulders.
Then his hand captivated her attention, directing her to look at the figure of the magician, Merlin, in the windows of one of the turrets forming the Medieval castle which was the Excalibur Hotel…a large strong hand, deeply tanned, long fingers, neatly buffed nails. To have such a hand holding her breast, stroking her…did it know how to be gentle? Was he a caring lover?
When they stood between the giant Sphinxes that flanked the great pyramid of the Luxor Hotel…he didn’t look at all dwarfed by them…more like a powerful pharaoh of his time…a man astride the world he was born to…and what would spring from the loins of this king of kings?
Sunny had to take a stern grip on herself. Secretly lusting over Bryce Templar was bad enough. She had to stop thinking about babies, especially connected with him. Whatever the deal he had in mind for her, babies would most certainly not be part of it.
They took the pedestrian overpasses to cross the street to the other side of the boulevard. The second one led them into the vast MGM complex, and an Elvis Presley impersonator strutting ahead of them and revelling in the notice he drew, evoked a bubble of shared amusement.
‘I’ve never understood that,’ Sunny murmured.
‘What?’
‘Why people want to be someone else.’
‘You never entertain a dream world?’
