Mistress of Deception

But all this rationale counted for nothing when he was with her. This afternoon, when she'd cried once again, he'd wanted nothing but to hold her and comfort her. And it was while he had done so that he had finally come to terms with his love for her.

Which was why he was here now, about to take her to dinner, desperately hoping that a marriage between them would work. Underneath, he doubted it. Ebony might think she wanted to marry him and have children, but he suspected the reality would not please her as much as the idea. He couldn't envisage her wanting that gloriously slender figure of hers swollen out of shape with a baby, or her having to put her own physical pleasure on hold for maybe weeks on end. Neither could he see her giving up her glamorous life as a cover-girl and internationally famous model, any more than he could see himself allowing her to continue her career.

Alan knew his own weaknesses. He was a jealous and possessive man. At least he was where Ebony was concerned. Maybe she had deliberately fuelled his jealousies because of the nature of their relationship, but he knew he wouldn't be able to bear his wife working with all those men she'd already slept with. Neither did he want her flaunting herself in those skimpy outfits she modelled. My God, she might as well have been naked today. He'd been able to see right through that costume.

When his blood began to stir at the visual memory of those hard nipples poking at that black lace, Alan groaned and swiftly alighted from the car, slamming the door in anger at his own lack of control. He'd vowed not to touch her tonight, and just look at him! Damn it, he'd marry her soon, despite his doubts. He'd do anything to have her in his bed every night. He'd even let her go on modelling if he had to. But, by God, he'd get her pregnant as quickly as he could. And then he'd keep her pregnant. She had said she wanted a large family. Well, he'd give her one!

'I like your suit,' was the first thing she said to him on opening her door.

He glanced indifferently down at his clothes. It was just a plain grey suit. Nothing special. Then he looked at her and felt another surge of desire.

Her dress was a simple black wool sheath with long straight sleeves and a not too short skirt. But anything on Ebony looked sexy. His eyes drifted down her long, long legs encased in sheer black stockings till he came to her shiny black patent shoes, their thin ankle straps drawing his attention to her slender ankles and small feet. He recalled how she liked having the soles of those delicate feet massaged, and her toes tickled. And kissed. And sucked.

His inward breath was sharp and his eyes jerked upwards. 'Ready to go?' he asked tautly.

'I'll just get my coat and purse.'

The coat was a black and white hound's-tooth jacket, the purse a black clutch in the same patent leather as her shoes.

'You look beautiful,' he said on her return.

'And you look tense,' she returned with a small smile.

His glance was savage for a second, then he too smiled. 'You know me too well. Any chance of skipping dinner?'

'Certainly not!' she reproached. 'And I'm not on the menu for afters, either. I too want to find out if our relationship can survive without sex, Alan. Especially on your part.'

He was taken aback. 'Why especially mine?'

'You're the man, after all. Sex is more important to men than women.'

Alan just stopped himself from rolling his eyes at this. If Ebony was anything to go by, then he didn't agree with that statement. Even his own sister had walked out on her toy-boy lover because of sex. The poor devil had finally got off his butt and got himself a job, instead of sponging off Vicki, but unfortunately it was at night. Instead of being proud of him, Vicki was complaining that this would interfere with their love-life! The woman had to be certifiable, but it showed the importance that some females could put on their own satisfaction.

'And another thing I'd like to straighten out, Alan,' Ebony went on firmly. 'You haven't yet said that you love me. Do you or don't you?'

He eyed her closely. 'What answer will get me into your bed later tonight?'

'Neither.'

'OK. Neither.'

It amused him to see her exasperation. Hell, but he wanted to kiss that provocatively pouting mouth!

'Very funny.' She pouted some more.

He suppressed a groan. 'The way I'm feeling tonight isn't funny in the least, but, since you insist, then yes, I love you.'