The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride by Jenn Roseton Page B

to that discussion. “When’s your next catering job?’
    Laura rose as well, not wanting to give him the advantage of looming over her. “I’m not sure. We didn’t have anything booked when I … married you. I'll call Edna.”
    “ I’ll start looking into the books.” He gestured to the hall. “All your belongings should be in the guestroom, but I want you to move everything you need into the master bedroom.”
    “ But … I was going to pack everything up from my apartment when we got back here.” She frowned.
    “ I thought this would save you some time.” Alex reached out and snagged her hand, drawing her to him.
    Laura looked up at him. He was right, it would save her time, but she’d been looking forward to spending a few hours alone in her old apartment, packing up everything and reflecting on what her new life with Alex might be like.
    Had her husband arranged this fait accompli because he was worried she might be having second thoughts about their marriage?
    “ Thanks. But it would have been nice if you’d discussed it with me first.”
    Surprise flickered across his face, as if he were unused to being chided, no matter how politely. “Sorry,” he finally said. Kissing her forehead, he released her. “I’ll go and look at the King Royale books while you unpack.”
    Laura watched him stride towards the study, her heart fluttering at his commanding sexiness. She couldn’t help smiling to herself at the way she’d just challenged him. Somehow, she suspected she might have to stand up to him again in the near future.
    But he’d taken it well, she mused, digging her phone out of her purse. As long as he meant what he’d said.
    After calling Edna, she hovered in the doorway of the study. Alex looked up from the computer screen. “Edna says we’ve got a job in three days’ time.”
    “ Great.” He smiled. “I should have gotten to the bottom of things by then.”
    So soon? Laura had puzzled over the business’s sinking bottom line for weeks now. Maybe that was why Alex was a billionaire and she wasn’t. Resolving to make him show her how he figured out the problems, Laura nodded. “I’ll go and unpack then.”
    “Good.” His eyes smoldered with banked heat, making her feel breathless.
    Laura hurried down the hall, wondering what would happen if Alex looked at her like that every day. He has so far , she reminded herself, kneeling on the plush carpet of the guest room and opening a box. They’d only been married for three and a half days, but she didn’t know how much longer she could sleep in the same bed as him, without consummating the marriage. It was the best feeling in the world to be wrapped in his arms, to snuggle against his back, to feel safe and secure in his embrace, but every night the sexual tension seemed to increase. What would happen tonight?
     

CHAPTER 8

 
    Nothing. A big fat nothing happened. Laura pushed back the blanket the following morning and wriggled her bare toes on the soft carpet. Alex hadn’t come to bed last night.
    She pulled back the drapes and looked out at the sparkling ocean view. She had no reason to worry about last night - at all. Sighing, she looked down at her new lilac nightgown she'd bought at Elk View Corner using her old credit card. Would Alex ever see her in it?
    Feeling daring last night, she’d slipped on the gorgeous silk gown and nestled under the sheets, waiting for Alex. And waited. And waited. When he hadn’t entered the bedroom after an hour, she’d gone in search for him and found him closeted in the study, the soft light from the desk lamp illuminating his face, serious in concentration as he looked at the computer monitor.
    Guessing he was working on her business problems, she’d stolen back down the hall, reluctant to disturb him. Now, a small part of her wished she had. What would he have done if she’d walked into the study, and asked him to come to bed? Kiss her? Ravish her senseless? Or would he say, “Not tonight