Nine Months to Claim Her by Natalie Anderson

Author:Natalie Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-04-12T12:52:46+00:00

* * *

Rosanna stretched out slowly, loath to relinquish the dreamiest sleep she’d enjoyed in weeks. But as she blinked she heard an amused voice from a distance.

‘I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up.’ Leo stepped into her line of sight. ‘You’re like Sleeping Beauty.’

She stared at him—his black swim trunks and red tee revealed strength and heat... ‘Holiday’ Leo looked fine.

Quickly she sat up. ‘But I’m awake now. No kiss necessary.’

She was still dressed in yesterday’s jeans and tee but she had no recollection of getting from the lounger outside to the bedroom. He must’ve carried her and she didn’t even remember it, which was...embarrassing.

‘You were very sleepy,’ he said.

She glanced down beside her, noting the smooth clear space where he’d not slept.

‘I took the other room obviously,’ he added, revealing yet again he’d read her mind.

She felt that wretched heat fill her face.

‘Although you’re far more biddable when you’re half-conscious.’ Amusement kindled in his eyes. ‘Like a little limpet. It took some manoeuvring to extricate myself from your sleepy clutches.’

Surely he was joking? But she could well believe her body would burrow close to his given the chance.

‘Don’t worry, I was a gentleman.’ His customary serious expression returned. ‘I’m sorry if all the travel was too much.’

‘It wasn’t,’ she said huskily. ‘I was just tired.’

He left her and Rosanna resolutely put on a bikini she’d barely worn and covered it with a wrap dress. She couldn’t pretend to be anything she wasn’t and the sooner she was honest with him, the better. On her way through she snaffled a pastry from the platter on the kitchen counter and went out to the deck. It was a stunning day. Leo had sunglasses on and was pulling together swimming gear from a room by the pool.

‘You want to explore the reef after breakfast?’ he asked.

‘I’d love to.’ She studied one of the masks. ‘But I’ll need to practise in the pool first, I’ve never snorkelled.’

‘No?’ He glanced up at her in surprise. ‘You grew up in Sydney, right? City of swimming pools and beaches.’

‘Yeah, but I stay out of the sun because I burn easily.’ She’d covered up even more when her spine problems had emerged. ‘And we didn’t go on holidays. My parents always had a project on.’

His expression tightened. ‘But you’re their only child, right? Didn’t they spoil you?’

She’d never been spoiled like this.

Awkwardly she undid the cord of her wrap dress. That first night it had been almost dark and since then her clothing had been loose enough to hide the unevenness of her body. It wasn’t as bad as it had once been; still, for the first time in ages, she felt self-conscious. She’d never shown anyone her scar like this. Why would she when she’d seen the unveiled disappointment on her parents’ faces? She glanced at him.

He was staring at her but behind those sunglasses it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Where exactly he was looking. So she broached it directly.

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