Megan flushed and couldn’t think what to say in response to that, aware that she had let her temper rule her head tonight.

He drew her slowly towards him, his eyes searching hers. ‘Let’s forget Cynthia, hmm? She really isn’t important.’ His voice was husky as he added, ‘I’ve been looking forward all evening to getting you alone.’

She stared up at him, not sure she liked the way he could turn her bones to rubber, still struggling against it. ‘Why?’

His hands became still. ‘What do you mean, why?’

‘Why were you looking forward to it? Am I a good bed partner?’

‘The best.’

‘Well, that’s something, I suppose.’

But he still hadn’t used any endearments with her. And that was beginning to matter, to fret away at her hopes for the future. If his lips had not been so close she might have told him to leave her alone tonight, but one kiss and she forgot her anger.

Soon they were both lost to the world.

Only afterwards did she wonder if she was always going to be so susceptible to his touch. But a smile crept across her face at that thought. Surely she had just proved that he was equally susceptible to her touch, proved it to her complete and utter satisfaction?

It was another step along the way she wanted to tread. It had to be!

She just had to be patient.

Chapter 9

The following day Ben had to attend more meetings. ‘Just a few more, then that part of my life will be over,’ he explained.

Determined to remain cheerful, Megan nodded. After he had left, she went out on her own to explore Perth, delighted to find it sunny if cool today. She lifted her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth. And although it was winter, she had no need of a coat, which seemed absolutely miraculous after English winters.

The city centre was criss-crossed by walkways and shopping malls, which created a world apart from the traffic. She particularly liked Forrest Place, where preparations were being made for a midday concert in the open air and where, even in winter, it was warm enough for people to sit outside at tables and chat over cups of coffee. She joined them, sipping her coffee and watching the passers-by.

Still feeling faintly defiant after Ben’s gibes about shopping, she decided to buy books not clothes. Once she was inside a book shop, the last traces of her anger evaporated and as always she lost herself in the sheer pleasure of browsing through the rows of colourful volumes that tempted her fingers to reach out for them, touch them, open them, buy just one more. For the first time she used the credit card Ben had provided, signing her new married name with a smile.