‘But they haven’t gone for good. They’ll be back.’
‘They’ll have to get the police to evict me. I’m not moving.’
‘Julia, this won’t work …’
‘I don’t care.’ Her agitation was physical now, her hands trembling.
Adam took one of them in his, wanting very much to drive the demons out of her. He felt a tenderness for her that threw him, since it wasn’t part of his plan. This woman was the spanner in his works, but a rather nice spanner all the same. If it wasn’t for his all-consuming passion for Evie …
‘All right,’ he said. ‘I’ll stay with you. Look, it’s half-past four. If we’re going to get any sleep at all …’
‘The birds have already started. The sun will be up in an hour or so. Come up.’
The bed was a huge wrought iron number with fur-lined manacles attached to the headboard.
‘Not mine,’ said Julia shortly. ‘I suppose they film in here.’
He noted also the mirror on the ceiling and the intense faux-Victorian décor.
‘It’s a right tart’s boudoir,’ she said, putting his politer thoughts into words.
She turned to him, smiling through her fatigue.
‘Are you going to get undressed?’
She untied her robe and let it drop to the floor, revealing instant nudity.
Adam, taken by surprise, coughed and tried to look away.
‘Oh, don’t,’ she said. ‘You’ve seen it before. Look, see these nipples? They’re hard. That’s because you’re here.’
‘Julia – get into bed.’
He took off his jacket and draped it over a chair.
‘If I’d known you were coming I’d have given myself a trim.’ She ran her fingers over the fuzz at her pubic triangle.
While Adam unbuttoned his shirt, she dared to move closer, reaching out for him. He took her wrist in one hand and held it firmly, keeping her at arm’s length.
‘I have not come here to fornicate with you,’ he said with purpose.
‘I know. But now you’re here …’ She put one hand beneath her right breast and squeezed it, lifting it to better show off the rosy little nipple.
‘Get into bed.’ He tried to push her away, but as soon as she was free she leant on the bed post and dipped a finger, infinitely casually, between her thighs.
‘Have you ever wanted to taste?’ she asked, licking it. ‘Mmm. Try it.’
She stepped up to him again, proffering the finger.
He took her by the elbow, smacked her bottom and pushed her on the bed.
‘I won’t tell you again,’ he growled.
Julia, thrilled, slipped under the sheets and pulled them up to her chin.
‘Oh my goodness, slap and tickle!’ she exclaimed. ‘You are kinky. I thought you might be. Just wait till you see what they’ve got in the store room. You’ll love it. Whips and paddles galore. The things you could do to me …’
‘I shall leave,’ he said, swallowing. ‘I shall walk through that door and go straight home, if you don’t shut your eyes and go to sleep now.’