Promoted to Wife? by Paula Roe Page B

“If those ground-floor businesses are in by the end of November, we can utilize them for the December launch. We’ve already presold half the apartments. Which means we have ten left, plus five spare offices,” she said as they turned off Pacific Highway and left onto Duringan Street. “I expect those to be filled in the next few weeks.”
    â€œAnd the launch?”
    â€œFinal estimate by tomorrow.”
    He flicked her a smile. “Great.”
    â€œAnd…” She paused as the car smoothly took the corner, passing Currumbin Surf Club on the right.
    â€œI’m waiting on a call from Queensland Uni, to see if I can start my course in second term. April.”
    â€œThey let you do that?”
    â€œDepends on the circumstances. And I worked out a plan to pay you back.”
    â€œThere’s no hurry.” He glanced over at her but couldn’t read her expression.
    â€œI don’t like owing people money.”
    They finally turned into Emily’s street and he pulled the car to a smooth stop at the curb. When he cut the engine, the Porsche’s throaty purr died out, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.
    Dark clouds hid the moon, distorting her face, making it difficult to read her expression. And he really, really wanted to know what she was thinking.
    He snicked open his door and the interior light came on. Then he slowly turned, giving her no choice but to look at him.
    Her face was half in shadow, half in light. An apt description for someone who guarded her secrets so very carefully.
    She was the complete opposite of every woman he’d dated, someone who hadn’t been born into wealth and didn’t run in the same privileged circles. Yet she could handle any situation he’d thrown at her, from boardrooms to client parties to fending off clingy exes. So why did he feel the sudden urge to protect her?
    â€œEmily.”
    Ignoring her startled murmur, he curled a strand of her hair around his fingers, savoring the silkiness before gently smoothing it behind her ear.
    â€œYes?”
    He hesitated, oddly tongue-tied.
    Admit it. You’ve been spoiled by all those other women—bold, confident women who knew what they wanted and came right out and said it.
    No, not spoiled—bored. Cynical, even.
    It’d been a long time since he’d had to put a concerted effort into a seduction.
    That thought gave him pause. And as he sat there, trying to work out a tactful follow-up, she blinked, her lips parting slightly. The light streamed over them, revealing the tip of her tongue as it touched the inside bottom lip before she closed her teeth on it.
    With an inward groan he slid his hand around her neck, cupping her head and tangling her hair.
    Then he pulled her in and kissed her.
    It was just as sweet, just as delicious as before. Her pouty lips beneath his, soft and pliant. That scent…conjuring up freshness and innocence. And her warm breath that came out in a gasp before lengthening into a murmur of pleasure.
    His body stirred, sparked into life by one simple kiss.
    He explored her mouth, tasting the curves, the creases, her soft tentative tongue that at first shied away, then bit by bit returned to tangle with his, until his blood began to pound in earnest and his breath became ragged.
    He groaned. Stop. But Emily’s fingers were teasing the hair on his nape, her gentle, almost hesitant touch only stoking the fires higher.
    He had to stop before it got out of hand.
    With a supreme effort he reluctantly broke the kiss, easing away with a regretful growl. She frowned and her eyes snapped open.
    His groin tightened. Her blue eyes were dark and heavy withdesire, her damp mouth bruised with kisses. He could hear her rapid breath—or was that his?—as she pulled back.
    â€œTomorrow night,” he got out, knowing his voice was thick with lust, knowing it wouldn’t take any effort to have her here, now. “My place.”
    When she