‘You don’t honestly expect Mike to say that any thing is worth getting married for,’ Natalie broke in laughingly. ‘But I don’t think he’s too miserable, are you, darling?’ Her upward glance was downright wicked.

‘Darling, no less,’ Reece returned with a lift of his eyebrows. ‘Sounds like you two have been enjoying a real honeymoon.’

‘I think we’d better terminate this conversation,’ Richard said quietly. ‘Chuck Helsinger is on the horizon, heading this way.’

Mike was grateful for Chuck’s intervention. He wasn’t in the mood to defend his relationship with Natalie. He also didn’t want to keep examining his escalating feelings for her.

But that was exactly what he found himself doing over and over again during the next hour, especially when one of the billionaires at Chuck’s lavish party did try to chat Natalie up. He was around fifty. Suave, handsome, and rich as Croesus. Married, of course. But that didn’t stop him.

The moment Mike’s back was turned to say something to Alanna, the lecherous devil invited Natalie for a dance out on the deck, where a band was playing and several couples were already locked in each other’s arms.

A powerful jealousy claimed Mike as he watched Mr Moneybags wind his slimy arms around Natalie’s bare back like some octopus. When he drew her much too close for Mike’s liking, he knew he couldn’t stand idly by.

‘Hold this,’ he said, shoving his glass of champagne into a startled Alanna’s empty hand. ‘My wife needs rescuing.’

Natalie was thinking how much she hated being out there, dancing with this oily creep, when Mike suddenly materialised, tapping her partner none too gently on his shoulder.

‘My turn,’ he announced, muscling in immediately and whisking Natalie off into his arms, leaving Casanova in their wake with his mouth wide open.

As Mike twirled Natalie down the deck to a more private area she sighed her pleasure, and relief.

‘What took you so long?’ she said, her eyes sparkling up at him.

‘I’m a bit slow sometimes.’

‘Not that I’ve noticed,’ she said cheekily. ‘I see you’re a good dancer, too.’

‘You can thank Alanna for that. She taught me.’

This news startled her. And worried her, a bit. ‘You like Alanna a lot, don’t you?’

‘She’s a great girl.’

‘You’re not secretly in love with her, are you?’

‘What? Don’t be ridiculous!’

‘She’s very beautiful,’ Natalie persisted, jealousy worming its unexpected way into her psyche.

‘She’s Reece’s wife.’

‘So?’

‘Look, I’m not in love with Alanna, all right?’ he said sharply. ‘I told you. I don’t fall in love.’

But even as he said the words Mike knew them to be a lie.