He debated arguing with Katherine, didn’t relish the possibility Antonia would step in, particularly with the President of Hong Kong watching. ‘I seem to have no choice, Miss Hart,’ he brusquely said, knowing he was breaking protocol by walking away from the President of Hong Kong while he was speaking.

‘I’m afraid not, sir, unless you’d care to give me the password.’

‘That probably wouldn’t be wise.’ He turned to the older man. ‘My apologies, Mr President. Apparently I have a crisis on my hands.’ Unwinding Antonia’s arm, he nodded to the group at large. ‘If you’ll excuse me.’ Then he turned and strode away.

‘What the hell are you doing?’ he growled as they walked away.

‘Olivia sent me.’

‘Why?’

‘She said you needed rescuing.’

‘Her timing could have been better,’ he muttered. ‘I was speaking with the President of Hong Kong. People don’t as a rule walk away from him when he’s talking.’

‘Sorry, she didn’t mention it. She only said you’d asked to be saved from Antonia.’

He sighed. ‘True. Oh, what the hell – a crisis is a crisis. The president might even have believed you. So, Katherine’ – he flashed a bad-boy smile – ‘now that you’ve saved me, what do you have in mind?’

‘Not much with people staring at us.’

‘Not us – you. All the men want to get in your pants,’ he muttered. ‘I almost came over to you a dozen times and dragged some guy away.’

She turned scarlet. ‘Thank God you didn’t.’

‘You were too friendly.’

‘I was not!’

‘If you say so.’ But she could tell he didn’t mean it. Taking her elbow in the cup of his hand, he propelled her out of the room, moved them briskly down the corridor, nodding at the few knots of guests they passed, smiling at a woman who started to approach. ‘Call me tomorrow, Isabelle,’ he said, not stopping. ‘I’m dealing with a business crisis right now.’

‘She didn’t believe you.’ The woman’s glare was still zapping Kate’s brain.

‘Ask me if I care.’

‘A little discretion wouldn’t hurt,’ Kate muttered, trying to shake off his grip. ‘People are staring.’

His grip tightened. ‘Sorry.’

Kate snorted. ‘You don’t even know what the word means.’

‘Sure I do. It means I heard you.’ Then he laughed. ‘Come on, baby, smile for me. These were the longest two hours of my life.’ He stopped at his office door, opened it, waved her in.

‘I thought we were going back to the Garden House.’

He grinned. ‘I figure you owe me a favour first for letting all those guys look down your dress.’

‘For heaven’s sake, Dominic, this isn’t the—’ She glanced over his shoulder and winced. ‘Some guy just gave you the thumbs up.’

‘Don’t worry about it.’ Pushing her into the room, he shut the door, locked it and kicked off his shoes.

She scowled at him. ‘I’m not in the mood.’

‘I am, if you don’t mind.’ He flicked his finger in a quick up and down motion. ‘Take off your dress.’

‘You always say “if you don’t mind” before you do exactly what you want. But I’m not doing this now – not with all the people walking by outside.’

‘We could be working on that bogus attack for all they know. Just don’t scream when you come,’ he said, looking up from untying his tie and smiling faintly.

‘Jesus, Dominic, be reasonable.’

‘I have been for two long fucking hours. Now take it off or I will.’ He slipped off his jacket, tossed it on the floor. ‘I’ve been watching you talk to all those men, smile at all those men who want to fuck you. It pissed me off. Jack MacKenzie in particular, damned lecher.’

‘I was smiling at everyone. So were you. It’s just courtesy.’

‘How about you show me some of your courtesy?’ He pulled off his tie, let it drop from his fingers. ‘Let’s see that boarding school underwear. Then take it off.’ He unbuttoned the top button on his shirt.

She looked at him with distaste. ‘I’m sorry. Were those orders?’

‘They were.’ His shirt unbuttoned, he threw it on his pile of clothing.

‘And you’re the boss?’

His smile was wicked. ‘In every possible way, Katherine.’ He quickly disposed of his socks. ‘I thought we both understood that. And after two hours of ass-kissing and watching you flirt, I’m a little grouchy so it would be best if you cooperated.’

‘And if I don’t?’

He went motionless, his fly half unzipped. Then he smiled and went back to unzipping. ‘We’ll have to play it by ear, although I doubt you want that dress ripped to shreds.’

‘Jesus, Dominic, you’re in a mood.’

He looked up, about to step out of his trousers. ‘I am. Sorry.’ He grinned. ‘Or whatever meaningless apology you prefer.’

‘Well, that’s bluntly honest.’

‘You might think about being honest too. You always like to fuck. I don’t see the problem.’

‘The problem is the house full of guests. Or someone could walk by the windows, for God’s sake,’ she said with a jerk of her hand towards the bank of French doors.