Obsession Down Under by LAYNE MACADAM Page B

Jessica was glad she’d taken Gladys’ advice.
    “Well, babe, it seems you’ve accomplished the impossible,” Whip announced, studying her from his chair.
    “How so?” she asked, intrigued, releasing her hair from the French roll and kicking off her high heels.
    “You’ve won Gladys over.”
    “I think it must have been the dress that did it.” She laughed, slipping out of her red spaghetti-strapped dress. “She told me to get gussied up for you, and I was too intimidated not to.”
    “She’s fiercer than a mother hen in the chicken coop when it comes to us McGregors. She and Cyril don’t have kids, so when our folks were killed, she stepped in and took over. Having no other family I guess you could say she’s the closest thing to a grandmother we have.”
    “You’re lucky to have her.”
    “Yes we are, and I’m lucky to have you here too. So get into that bed woman and let me show you just how appreciative I am.”
    Girlish laughter bubbled up Jessica’s throat. Naked and eager to be ravished, she slipped under the sheet and held it up in open invitation. He crossed the room in a heartbeat, slid in beside her, and folded her into his arms.
    “Did I ever tell you, you have the best tits ever?”
    “Mmm, but I don’t mind hearing it again,” she informed him as he leaned down and drew the tip of one into his mouth.
    Her fingers tunneled his hair, and she sighed with rapture when he started to show her just how much he did appreciate her, and it was divine being made love to by this most extraordinary man.

Chapter 12
    The next day, Annie arrived midmorning as arranged dressed in a sleeveless print dress and sandals. Jessica was eager for their shopping spree. “So where are we off to?” she asked.
    “Armidale. It’s a quaint little town a good hour’s drive away. Very different from New York.”
    “I don’t doubt it. So have you been to the Big Apple?”
    “Mmm, two or three times. Travis and I went there for our honeymoon, and the guys sometimes cross the pond for business. I tag along now and then.”
    “That must be quite a drain on the property?”
    Annie widened her eyes. “Not at all. It’s just a drop in the ocean.” She paused and tapped her lip as if contemplating what more to say if anything, and then she expelled a breath. “The family was left very well provided for and Whip’s acumen for business has increased their worth exponentially. The property is Travis and Whip’s passion. I guess they take after their dad in that regard, it was a hobby of his, but it’s not their only source of income. The twins currently run the other companies, but when Drew and Mark finish their business degrees they’ll step in and take control.”
    Jessica’s mouth fell open. “I had no idea.” Her voice was shaky and soft, barely a whisper.
    “I’m not surprised. I’m sure Whip forgets he’s head of a conglomerate at times, he’s so wrapped up in Highland Glen and the breeding program. Anyway, enough of that, let’s hit the road.”
    Jessica picked up her handbag and followed Annie out to the car, her mind in a whirl.
    The drive was smooth and the conversation pleasant. When they arrived in the town, Jessica was delighted. It was as if she’d stepped back in time. Significant in its absence was a big shopping mall. Instead, there were streets of charming little shops, trendy cafés, a couple of arcades, and a general store. Annie explained that whatever you could get in the big city stores you could get here, and if what you were after wasn’t on shelf, then they’d order it in.
    Annie was a familiar figure about town, and it seemed like she was acquainted with every passerby. They were forever pausing to greet friends and neighbors, and Jessica’s head was swimming with names.
    The remainder of the morning whizzed by in a blur. Annie had acquired an armful of purchases and by one p.m. they were both footsore, and agreed it was time to eat.
    No sooner had they sat down at a