'No,' she whispered, and his lips moved over hers slowly and gently, hypnotising her, melting her very soul.
Her arms lifted, clinging to him as she surrendered to the slow drowsy passion, delighting in the way her body melted into him, her bones turning to liquid.
'Kip!' She murmured his name into his mouth and he lifted his head, holding her close, rocking her against him, everything about him soothing, almost tender.
'We'd better have dinner, I think,' he whispered. 'I imagine Josh will come bursting in here at any moment to announce it.'
He led her through to the dining-room where the table had been set with more skill then Josh had previously shown.
'Mina,' Kip told her as she looked up in astonishment at the sight of the bowls of flowers, the glittering candles. 'I told her you were coming. She's fond of you.'
'More fond than she is of...' Suddenly her voice choked. She was already seated, Kip easing her chair in, and at the unhappy sound he tilted her face back, covering her mouth with his.
'Don't,' he said softly, his lips stroking hers. 'I would never let you be hurt, my beautiful Natalie.'
Perhaps he wouldn't, not deliberately, but then he didn't know how she felt. He didn't know she was clinging on to this night as if it were her last on earth. She twisted round, offering her lips completely, and his hands cupped her face with warm possession as he took the sweetness she offered. Only Josh stopped the long kiss and when Kip sat down opposite she was trembling uncontrollably, deeply aroused, her feelings made worse by the look in his eyes. He wanted her so much that his eyes were dazed. No man had ever looked at her like that before and no one would ever look at her like that again. It was Kip or no one at all for the rest of her life.
They talked about Kip's job, about Kane Mallory and the things he was likely to say.
'Not much,' Kip warned. 'Tell Bradshaw not to push it. If he behaves to Kane as he wanted to behave to me this afternoon he'll end up in the dam. Kane's not long on patience and he's got the devil of a temper.'
'You kept yours this afternoon,' Natalie pointed out softly. 'He managed to control himself. Thank you.'
'You know why I was prepared to smooth him over,' Kip said, his eyes darkly intent on her. There was so much feeling in his gaze that she looked away, her thick lashes screening her eyes as her head bent.
'I fully expect Kane's going to arrive with my next job all lined up.' Kip changed the subject smoothly, easing the tension but Natalie's head shot up, pain shooting through her. He might be right across the world. She would never see him again.
'Where? Have you any idea?'
'I've a distinct feeling it may be South America. He mentioned it when I phoned and I know there's a lot brewing there for Mallory-Carter.'
'All those señoritas,' Natalie managed with a trembling smile.
For a minute his eyes probed her mind, the lids narrowing over the glowing dark. 'Tell me about Bradshaw,' he suddenly demanded. He looked different, harsh, no laughter glittering in his eyes at all, and Natalie felt uneasy, almost as if she were pinned like a
real butterfly, struggling to escape inspection by a cold, interested gaze. There was even the hint of cruelty, something she had never seen before, and she dared not lie.
'He joined Westwind about eighteen months ago. Before that he was a sort of big-shot producer. I could never understand why he came to us.'
'Did you know him before?'
'I'd met him, yes.'
'You're weaving neatly around the main question,' Kip said curtly. 'You know what I'm asking, Natalie.'
'I went out with him for about a year.' Suddenly she was resentful, not scared any more, and her green eyes flashed angrily. 'Have you the information you want now?'
'I think so.' He leaned back, cradling his coffee-cup in his hands. Josh had cleared the rest of the dishes and she knew his style. He would be off now to his little bungalow, joining Mina in front of a television that never seemed to be switched off, the coffee-cups left for morning. The house seemed uncannily silent.
'So he's the one who hurt you,' Kip said flatly. 'Paula drifted on to the scene. He's not making her very happy.'