‘How accommodating you are.’

‘That’s the idea, Katherine.’ He smiled for the first time since his arctic freeze. ‘Adjust, adapt’ – his brows flickered, humour warmed his gaze – ‘oblige you in all things.’

‘So you’re done being grumpy?’

He looked surprised. ‘Was I grumpy?’

‘Yes, you scared me.’

‘Sorry,’ he said as though he didn’t quite understand but was willing to accommodate her.

‘Thank you.’ She drew in a small, shaky breath, her eyes huge, liquid. ‘Because when you’re unhappy, I’m unhappy.’

‘Jesus, don’t cry anymore,’ he whispered. Lifting her in his arms, he bent low and kissed her softly, then not so softly, his kiss deepening, taking what he wanted, plundering, pillaging, devouring her, open-mouthed and impassioned.

Giddy with happiness, she clung to him and kissed him back, hard, hard, hard – her world sunshine bright again because she could tell he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

When he finally raised his mouth, he said, ‘I’m sorry if I made you unhappy. I don’t want you unhappy. Tell me if you are and I’ll fix it somehow.’ His blue gaze was very close, touched with concern, his voice the kind you’d use to coax a kitten in from the cold. ‘There’s nothing I can’t fix. OK?’

She nodded.

He blew out a breath. ‘Good.’ He scanned the room as though seeing it for the first time, preoccupied with how best to keep Katherine happy. A novel position for him here at the Garden House where generally only his pleasure mattered, where he’d only brought women who were disposable. Where he’d never brought a woman who mattered to him. The word ‘mattered’ made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. But he ignored the sensation, shook it away. He had better things to do. ‘Now, I’m just asking,’ he said gently, carrying her to the bed. ‘If you don’t want to play, that’s fine with me. We’ll do something else. Do you like cribbage, chess, baccarat? Or we could watch some movies.’

A little tic of surprise. ‘You have a theatre here?’

‘A small one. Would you like to see a movie?’

She shook her head.

He seated her on the bed as if she were made of glass, kissed her cheek, then drew up a cushioned chair and sat. ‘This is a new experience for me,’ he said with a small smile, sliding into a lounging pose as if he had all the time in the world. ‘You tell me what you want to do and we’ll do it.’

‘You’re sure you’re not mad at me any more?’ God, he was gorgeous sprawled on the chair, half undressed, his sweats low on his hips, his broad shoulders resting back against the black and white silk upholstery.

‘I never was mad at you.’ He ran his hands over his hair in a small restive gesture. ‘I was mad at myself. I don’t like to lose control like that. I don’t like to make mistakes. Especially life-altering ones like that.’

‘Oh, good – then it wasn’t something I did.’

He smiled. ‘Not directly.’

‘So I really can ask for anything?’

‘I told you before, I have vast resources at my command and now at yours,’ he added with a dip of his head. ‘Surprise me.’

‘Show me my new toy.’

He laughed out loud, amused at his misguided notions. He should have known that money meant nothing to Katherine. ‘You are so fucking adorable,’ he said. ‘You make the world all blue skies and sunshine.’

‘Back at you,’ she said with a buoyant grin. ‘For five more days if you’re keeping track.’

They both knew better; they both knew it was only play – the future untouchable. They also knew these few days were the cherry on the sundae of life and worth savouring.

Shoving himself out of the chair, Dominic came to his feet, a wide grin radiating his happiness. ‘I have something else to make you smile. Don’t move. I’ll be back in five seconds.’

Playfully goading, Kate sang out, ‘One-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand, four-one thousand, five—’

Dominic slapped a small shagreen-covered box into her lap and grinned.

‘You’re fast. I’m impressed.’

‘You should be.’ He nodded. ‘Open it. It’s something you’ll like.’

‘You know that, do you?’

‘I do.’

‘Because?’

He knew how to answer that question and that squinty-eyed look. ‘Because I know what you like.’

She smiled. ‘You are so smooth. I’m in awe.’

‘Let me show you some new awesome wonders, Miss Hart,’ he said softly, his smile lush with promise. ‘Open it.’

She did, then looked up at him.

‘For your own personal use. Want me to show you?’

‘Now that I have this I won’t need you any more.’

‘I’m more versatile, babe. You need me. But you’ll enjoy this too.’ He took the dildo from the nest of white velvet and tossed the box aside. ‘Are you warm enough?’

‘Incredibly warm. In fact, I’m getting hot.’

He laughed. ‘Why do I even ask? I hardly have to do anything and you’re primed to go.’

‘It’s not me, it’s you. You’re drop-dead beautiful and I like your face too.’