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'Nine o'clock,' he said as though everyone was up by then

She brushed back a lock of hair from her face 'I haven't even showered' Whereas he looked as fresh as a daisy

'No?' He considered her arreat to me I like my women tousled and sexy'

She probably looked as sexy as if she'd been pulled through a hedge backwards Beth stood aside 'Come in,' she said reluctantly 'I'll put the coffee pot on'

'No need' He followed her into the cottage and then took her into his ar her in such a way she woke up—fast It was a nice way to wake up

Then she was free again and he went through to the kitchen, calling over his shoulder, 'The croissants are warooseberry preserve and blue¬berry jae, so hurry up I'll put the coffee on'

Once in the bathroom, Beth showered in sixty seconds flat She'd taken her bra and pants and a thin sleeveless dress in with her and, after dressing, she quickly brushed her hair and looped it into a high ponytail on top of her head It'd have to do If he wanted a fully coiffured, perfectly made-up female he shouldn't arrive unannounced

When she walked through to the kitchen it was clear from the look on Travis's face that he didn't want any of those things He s, 'You're beautiful, you know that, don't you? Even with mud all over your face that first time I saw you, I knew you were beautiful'

'I don't think that was mud, Travis,' she said drily

He grinned 'I was being polite'

'Right' She was deterht and un¬colanced at the tiny breakfast bar, which was covered with plates of exotic-looking cold meat, several cheeses, cold salmon, fresh fruit, different types of rolls—still waro by—little boxes of cereal and a jar of honey, as well as the croissants he had ht all this?' It was a veritable feast

'Courtesy of the wonderful delicatessen in the village The honey is from their own bees, by the way, and it's the best I've ever tasted' He indicated two trays he had set, coht we'd eat alfresco Coarden'