CHAPTER NINE
THE NEXT MORNING Ram woke early, to a sky of the palest blue and yellow.
Next to him Nola lay curled on her side, her arm draped across his chest. For a moment he lay listening to her soft, even breathing, his body and his brain struggling to adjust to this entirely new sensation of intimacy.
Waking beside a woman was something he’d never done before. In the past, even the thought of it would have made his blood run cold.
But being here with Nola felt good.
Better than good, he thought, breathing in sharply as she shifted against him in her sleep.
After last night there could be no doubt that they still wanted one another. They had made love slowly, taking their time, holding back and letting the pleasure build. And, unlike that first time in his office, there had been tenderness as well as passion.
Forehead creasing, he stared out of the window. But last night had not just been about sex. Exploring the lush new curves of her body had eased an ache that was more than physical.
He froze as Nola stirred beside him, curling closer, and suddenly the touch of her naked body was too great a test for his self-control. Gritting his teeth against the instant rush of need clamouring inside him, he gently lifted her arm and slid across the bed, making his way to the shower.
Turning the temperature to cool, he winced as the water hit his body.
For years he’d never so much as hinted at his parents’ unhappiness to anyone. Even imagining the pity in someone’s eyes had been enough to ensure his silence. But last night—and he still wasn’t quite sure why or how—he’d ended up telling Nola every sordid little detail about his life. Not just his mother’s miserable marriage of necessity, but Guy’s serial affairs too.
The words had just tumbled out.
Only Nola hadn’t pitied him. Instead she had helped him to face his past. More than that, she’d finally agreed to build a future with him.
Tipping back his head, he closed his eyes, remembering how she’d asked him to marry her. His mouth curved. Of course she had—and wasn’t that as much of an attraction as her glorious body? The way she kept him guessing, and her stubborn determination to do things her way and at her pace.
Switching off the water, he smoothed his dark hair back against the clean lines of his skull. It ought to drive him crazy, yet it only seemed to intensify his desire for her. And now that Nola had finally come round to his point of view he was determined that nothing would get in their way.
Whatever it took, they were going to get married—and as soon as possible.
* * *
‘I need to drop by the office later, so I was wondering if you’d like to go into town?’
They had just finished breakfast and Ram was flicking through some paperwork.
Looking over at him, Nola frowned. ‘Is there a problem?’
He shook his head. ‘I just need to show my face—otherwise there might be a mutiny.’
‘I doubt that. Your staff love you.’
He laughed. ‘Love might be pushing it a little. They respect me—’
‘Yes, and respect is a kind of love,’ she said slowly. ‘Like duty and faith. Love isn’t just all about passion and romance—it’s about commitment and consideration, and sacrifice too.’
He leaned back in his chair. ‘Then I take it back. I must be very loved. So must you.’
She felt her skin grow hot. Of course he wasn’t talking about their relationship but his staff, and probably her friendship with Anna. Aware, though, of his sudden focus, she grasped helplessly towards his earlier remark.
‘When are you thinking of going into the office, then?’
‘Whenever suits you.’
‘In that case, maybe I’ll stay here. It’s not as if I really need anything.’
He was silent a moment, and then he said quietly, ‘Apart from a dress?’