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Heat flared through her at that potentthe room to the bathroom and back At this rate she’d wear out the thick pile carpet

A knock sounded on the door and she stilled, every h-octane alert ‘Yes?’

‘Your clothes have arrived’

She couldn’t tell anything from Cristiano’s tone Warily Laurel opened the door He stood there, one hand outstretched with several luxury shopping bags dangling froers

‘Thank you,’ Laurel said stiffly, taking the bags ‘You didn’t have to get so much’

‘Who kno long you will be here, bella?’ Cristiano answered lazily

‘Not very long, if I can help it,’ Laurel retorted ‘I’et dressed and then we need to talk’

‘Excellent I’ve ordered some food, so we can talk as we eat’

It all suddenly seee twist of humour as she closed the door Al for her to be his hable, yet she felt the seriousness of the situation all the way through her body, right down to her toes

She eant clothes, which included several outfits, including undergared to know her bra size? she wondered as she picked up a push-up bra in nude lace and coffee-coloured satin Although, on second thoughts, Cristiano no doubt could gauge a woman’s bra size from across a crowded room

She chose the th skirt in pale blue and asilk T-shirt top Now that she was finally dressed in so nor inappropriate, she felt a little more restored to herself Almost as if the last seventy hours had never happened Almost, but not quite

In addition to the clothes, Cristiano had thoughtfully provided a bag of luxury toiletries, and Laurel took advantage of the her hair and twisting it up into a knot

Taking a deep breath, she headed out of the bedroo area on the far side of the living roo out food on a table that looked as if it had been carved frole piece of ebony

Laurel inhaled the tantalising scents of basil and le since lunch All evening Bavasso had plied her with cocktails she’d tried not to drink and no food