The Burlington Manor Affair

“That must have been tough for you,” Rex commented, “especially under those circumstances.”

“I had a lot of support. Besides, it helped keep my mind off what happened to Mum, which has never been easy.”

She paused. Rex nodded. He knew they’d been close.

She hurried on so that she didn’t get upset. “I had to learn fast, and from the bottom up. The board ran things so I could do that. It took time and we hired a new PR person to cover what my mother used to do.

I’m okay with most aspects of the company now, but I’ve still got heaps to learn. I’m content that our PR officer continues to do what she does so well, better than I ever could.”

Mrs. Summerfield had finished up what she was doing and disappeared off into the adjacent storerooms with her notepad and pen.

Carmen took the opportunity to lay some ground rules. “Look, Rex. I’m not here to discuss my business with you. We should discuss the future of this property.”

“We’ve got three more weekends ahead, plenty of time for that. I want to know all about you. This is our time to catch up on each other and I intend to make the most of every moment.” He picked up his teacup and stared at her across the rim, his sharp blue eyes commanding her attention. “So, when did you get into the kinky sex thing?”

Bloody hell. Carmen pursed her lips and concentrated on buttering a second piece of toast. Continuing the previous line of discussion suddenly seemed preferable. Why in God’s name did he have to throw that out there?

What on earth could she say? The truth of the matter was she’d never done anything remotely kinky before. Something about him had made her click into a different level of sexual mood and experience. Then again, kinky sex hadn’t ever been on offer before, as far as she knew. She’d only had two lovers, and nothing like the night before had ever occurred. Was it a deep part of her psyche? If it was it hadn’t been revealed before. But she’d never been held by a man with the presence that Rex Carruthers owned, the determination, the virile masculinity and strength. It had affected her and he, it seemed, knew exactly how to respond. She wasn’t going to tell him that, though. Neither was she going to make up some fictional dominant lover to fulfill his curiosity. Instead, she ignored his comment and ate her toast. It had made it easier, though.

It means I can blame him.

And it was outrageously hot.

Why? Why the hell did I enjoy submitting to him that way?

As she stared across at him the answer hovered, but she pushed it away, unwilling to acknowledge that she still wanted him so very badly after all these years.

He lounged there in his chair, sipping his tea while he watched her over the rim of his cup. It was a crime for a man to be so blatant, so forthright and suggestive, surely?

“I can’t help being curious,” he added. “The woman I knew before was a sensual kitten, but now...” He gestured at her and his mouth moved in a suggestive smile.

A sensual kitten? Was I ever that? Carmen supposed she must’ve been, or at least he saw her that way. She had flirted with him, a hell of a lot. She didn’t do that anymore, not on a regular basis. With the other men she’d been involved with it hadn’t been like this. Then again, no one had ever spoken to about her sexuality, not like he did. Was that part of his charm, the dark side—the provocative, confrontational Rex who could so easily command a woman’s attention?

“You’re a dangerous temptation now, Carmen Shelby.” He smiled, as if he approved.

“You do so love being provocative, don’t you?”

Mrs. Summerfield emerged from the cold storage area with a stack of supplies on a tray. Carmen nodded her way, but Rex already seemed to be aware of her presence.

“I understand you’re semiretired these days, Mrs. Summerfield,” he said before he looked in the cook’s direction.

She put the tray down on the work surface before turning to respond. “That’s right. It’s not necessary to be up here all the time for one or two, so I come and go. It’s a pleasure to do so when required. I thought some nice chargrilled salmon with sides would do well for you tonight, if that suits you both?”

“It sounds good to me.” Rex turned her way and rested his elbow on the back of his chair.

The muscles in his upper arm flexed and Carmen noticed the dark hair on his forearm. Rex had always been muscular but he’d been leaner before. There was no denying his physique turned her on.

“Did my father leave anything in the cellar for visitors?”

Carmen thought Mrs. Summerfield might be offended, but she chuckled. “A case or two survived. Would you like me to chill a bottle of white for dinner?”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll check it out later.”

“We can fend for ourselves for lunch,” Carmen added. She wasn’t used to being waited on anymore, not for a long time.

“If you’re sure?”

Carmen nodded.