She finished getting ready, telling herself that she mustn’t become paranoid. As he had said, these meetings had all been arranged before he even met her. Of course he couldn’t cancel them.

But she couldn’t help wishing he had done.

Megan didn’t get back until quite late. It had turned out to be a fascinating evening for someone who had never visited Asia before. As she returned the greetings of the reception staff and took the lift, she was still bubbling with excitement about the temple they’d visited, the harbour at night and the food she’d eaten.

To her surprise, she found Ben waiting for her in their room. He’d changed into casual slacks and a short-sleeved top, but he didn’t seem to be in a good mood. In fact, he scowled and made no attempt to walk across the room to greet her.

She paused in the doorway, her smile fading at the sight of the expression on his face. ‘Oh! Have you been waiting long? I thought you’d be later than this.’

His voice was quite curt. ‘I managed to get away early. I confided to my Chinese friend that I was on my honeymoon and he told the others. As a result we got through the business quite quickly by their standards.’

He’d been so disappointed to find the suite empty, with only her perfume lingering in the air to tantalise him that he’d grown angry with himself. He had no intention of getting dependent upon anyone, not even a wife. That way lay danger. Wiser to steer clear of intense emotions. Who should know that better than he?

But even so he had not been able to get the memory of their embraces out of his mind. How warm and willing Megan was, how responsive! And how unlike any woman he had ever known before!

As he’d waited in the hotel suite he’d been unable to settle to anything, and had simply sat there, listening for her. He’d felt ridiculously happy when he heard her stop outside the door and fumble with her key card, then had been afraid to reveal his feelings.

‘What exactly is your business, Ben? You’ve never really talked about it.’

‘It’s partly import and export. I also manage some mixed deals, property, shares, things like that.’

‘And what was tonight about?’

Frustration exploded out of him. ‘Who the hell cares what tonight was about? You and I are supposed to be on our honeymoon!’

As he strode across to where she was standing, he looked so angry she couldn’t help flinching. He grasped hold of her arm and pulled her towards him and she felt a tremor run through her. This kiss was nothing like the others. It was savage, dominating and as powerful as storm waves crashing on a beach. Within seconds she was kissing him back just as hungrily.